12. Green Library of the Neighbourhood
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Anja Seifert
Abstract
Located in the centre of Berlin, next to the Potsdamer Platz, is one of the smallest public libraries in Berlin, the Bibliothek Tiergarten Sud. Overcoming the threat of closing due to financial struggles, the library now finds itself in a process of transformation. Since 2013 neighbourhood volunteers have been working for the library to form a new focus based on the do-it-yourself philosophy, including urban gardening and other ecologically sustainable practices. With EU-funded support, it is now possible to establish a new community centre for the urban quarter. The diversity of language, culture and income in this urban quarter is reflected in several activities that take place in the library, such as a Repair Cafe, literacy events and informative meetings about gardening topics. Supported by the first Leih-Samerei in a public library in Germany, there is also a shelf with home-grown seeds from the surrounding gardens that patrons may borrow. This array of projects and programming shows the multiplicity of a small urban library.
Abstract
Located in the centre of Berlin, next to the Potsdamer Platz, is one of the smallest public libraries in Berlin, the Bibliothek Tiergarten Sud. Overcoming the threat of closing due to financial struggles, the library now finds itself in a process of transformation. Since 2013 neighbourhood volunteers have been working for the library to form a new focus based on the do-it-yourself philosophy, including urban gardening and other ecologically sustainable practices. With EU-funded support, it is now possible to establish a new community centre for the urban quarter. The diversity of language, culture and income in this urban quarter is reflected in several activities that take place in the library, such as a Repair Cafe, literacy events and informative meetings about gardening topics. Supported by the first Leih-Samerei in a public library in Germany, there is also a shelf with home-grown seeds from the surrounding gardens that patrons may borrow. This array of projects and programming shows the multiplicity of a small urban library.
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
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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
