10. From a Green Library to a Sustainable Library
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Qunqing Huang
Abstract
Sun Yat-sen Library of Guangdong Province is a large provincial public library with a history of over one hundred years in China. Located in a historic site, it has been transformed into a green library with concepts of ecological and environmental protection. Its big lawn in the front, large old trees and courtyards inside the grounds are enjoyable for citizens, while even its roof garden became a landscape. Besides the pleasing environment, facilities and technology are introduced for energy conservation. Air conditioners could be replaced for most of the year by natural air, rainwater could be collected over an area of nine thousand square metres and solar power could generate electricity with photovoltaic panels. A team of librarians was also organised to educate citizens through various services, such as the website “Ecological & Environmental Protection” with a dozen columns which was created in 2007 and remains active to date, with two million citizens visiting the website during this period. Activities such as forums, lectures, exhibitions, films, telephone-booth-looking mini libraries, plant seeds travelling as well as some campaigns have been held inside or outside the library, all of which contribute to the transformation of the green library into a sustainable library.
Abstract
Sun Yat-sen Library of Guangdong Province is a large provincial public library with a history of over one hundred years in China. Located in a historic site, it has been transformed into a green library with concepts of ecological and environmental protection. Its big lawn in the front, large old trees and courtyards inside the grounds are enjoyable for citizens, while even its roof garden became a landscape. Besides the pleasing environment, facilities and technology are introduced for energy conservation. Air conditioners could be replaced for most of the year by natural air, rainwater could be collected over an area of nine thousand square metres and solar power could generate electricity with photovoltaic panels. A team of librarians was also organised to educate citizens through various services, such as the website “Ecological & Environmental Protection” with a dozen columns which was created in 2007 and remains active to date, with two million citizens visiting the website during this period. Activities such as forums, lectures, exhibitions, films, telephone-booth-looking mini libraries, plant seeds travelling as well as some campaigns have been held inside or outside the library, all of which contribute to the transformation of the green library into a sustainable library.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- About IFLA IX
- Preface 1
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Part 1: General
- 1. A Garden on the Roof Doesn’t Make a Library Green 5
- 2. Libraries Sow the Seed of a Sustainable Society 22
- 3. Contemplative Pedagogy 32
- 4. Public Libraries’ Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals 46
- 5. Environmental Responsibility in Brazilian Libraries 60
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Part 2: Public Libraries
- 6. The Green Corner at Vaggeryd Public Library 77
- 7. Action to Combat Climate Change and its Impact 86
- 8. The BookboXX 94
- 9. Garbage Hero 103
- 10. From a Green Library to a Sustainable Library 110
- 11. Urban Gardening, Foodsharing and Makerspaces 122
- 12. Green Library of the Neighbourhood 135
- 13. The Green Story of the Public Library Užice, Serbia 142
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Part 3: Academic Libraries
- 14. More Than Just a Green Building 155
- 15. The Awareness of Young African Students to Protection of the Environment 173
- 16. Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing a Sustainable Approach at Academic Libraries 181
- 17. Information Dissemination is Not Enough 197
- 18. Going Green to Embrace Aesthetic Reflections and Sustainable Library Buildings 210
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Appendix
- Abbreviations 229
- Contributors 232
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- About IFLA IX
- Preface 1
-
Part 1: General
- 1. A Garden on the Roof Doesn’t Make a Library Green 5
- 2. Libraries Sow the Seed of a Sustainable Society 22
- 3. Contemplative Pedagogy 32
- 4. Public Libraries’ Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals 46
- 5. Environmental Responsibility in Brazilian Libraries 60
-
Part 2: Public Libraries
- 6. The Green Corner at Vaggeryd Public Library 77
- 7. Action to Combat Climate Change and its Impact 86
- 8. The BookboXX 94
- 9. Garbage Hero 103
- 10. From a Green Library to a Sustainable Library 110
- 11. Urban Gardening, Foodsharing and Makerspaces 122
- 12. Green Library of the Neighbourhood 135
- 13. The Green Story of the Public Library Užice, Serbia 142
-
Part 3: Academic Libraries
- 14. More Than Just a Green Building 155
- 15. The Awareness of Young African Students to Protection of the Environment 173
- 16. Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing a Sustainable Approach at Academic Libraries 181
- 17. Information Dissemination is Not Enough 197
- 18. Going Green to Embrace Aesthetic Reflections and Sustainable Library Buildings 210
-
Appendix
- Abbreviations 229
- Contributors 232
