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16. Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing a Sustainable Approach at Academic Libraries

Fields of Action at the Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
  • Christopher Landes
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Going Green: Implementing Sustainable Strategies in Libraries Around the World
This chapter is in the book Going Green: Implementing Sustainable Strategies in Libraries Around the World

Abstract

What sustainable measures are there for academic libraries? In which areas can academic libraries be active? Furthermore, what are the challenges and opportunities of implementing ecologically sustainable action? These are the research questions of an empirical study conducted at the Freie Universitat Berlin.1 The results of the qualitative research show the practical skills required and estimate the scope for action when it comes to promoting sustainable action at an academic library. In this article, the study is presented and three fields of action are examined as an example of sustainable measures in academic libraries: paper-saving workplace design, the removal of plastic bags and use of energy- saving IT equipment. It is not that there are simply transferable best practice cases in the area of sustainable library management; however, the examples presented here can draw attention to fields of action. They create awareness of the opportunities while, at the same time, highlighting the challenges and difficulties that can arise when changing to more sustainable library management.

Abstract

What sustainable measures are there for academic libraries? In which areas can academic libraries be active? Furthermore, what are the challenges and opportunities of implementing ecologically sustainable action? These are the research questions of an empirical study conducted at the Freie Universitat Berlin.1 The results of the qualitative research show the practical skills required and estimate the scope for action when it comes to promoting sustainable action at an academic library. In this article, the study is presented and three fields of action are examined as an example of sustainable measures in academic libraries: paper-saving workplace design, the removal of plastic bags and use of energy- saving IT equipment. It is not that there are simply transferable best practice cases in the area of sustainable library management; however, the examples presented here can draw attention to fields of action. They create awareness of the opportunities while, at the same time, highlighting the challenges and difficulties that can arise when changing to more sustainable library management.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. About IFLA IX
  4. Preface 1
  5. Part 1: General
  6. 1. A Garden on the Roof Doesn’t Make a Library Green 5
  7. 2. Libraries Sow the Seed of a Sustainable Society 22
  8. 3. Contemplative Pedagogy 32
  9. 4. Public Libraries’ Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals 46
  10. 5. Environmental Responsibility in Brazilian Libraries 60
  11. Part 2: Public Libraries
  12. 6. The Green Corner at Vaggeryd Public Library 77
  13. 7. Action to Combat Climate Change and its Impact 86
  14. 8. The BookboXX 94
  15. 9. Garbage Hero 103
  16. 10. From a Green Library to a Sustainable Library 110
  17. 11. Urban Gardening, Foodsharing and Makerspaces 122
  18. 12. Green Library of the Neighbourhood 135
  19. 13. The Green Story of the Public Library Užice, Serbia 142
  20. Part 3: Academic Libraries
  21. 14. More Than Just a Green Building 155
  22. 15. The Awareness of Young African Students to Protection of the Environment 173
  23. 16. Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing a Sustainable Approach at Academic Libraries 181
  24. 17. Information Dissemination is Not Enough 197
  25. 18. Going Green to Embrace Aesthetic Reflections and Sustainable Library Buildings 210
  26. Appendix
  27. Abbreviations 229
  28. Contributors 232
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110608878-018

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. About IFLA IX
  4. Preface 1
  5. Part 1: General
  6. 1. A Garden on the Roof Doesn’t Make a Library Green 5
  7. 2. Libraries Sow the Seed of a Sustainable Society 22
  8. 3. Contemplative Pedagogy 32
  9. 4. Public Libraries’ Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals 46
  10. 5. Environmental Responsibility in Brazilian Libraries 60
  11. Part 2: Public Libraries
  12. 6. The Green Corner at Vaggeryd Public Library 77
  13. 7. Action to Combat Climate Change and its Impact 86
  14. 8. The BookboXX 94
  15. 9. Garbage Hero 103
  16. 10. From a Green Library to a Sustainable Library 110
  17. 11. Urban Gardening, Foodsharing and Makerspaces 122
  18. 12. Green Library of the Neighbourhood 135
  19. 13. The Green Story of the Public Library Užice, Serbia 142
  20. Part 3: Academic Libraries
  21. 14. More Than Just a Green Building 155
  22. 15. The Awareness of Young African Students to Protection of the Environment 173
  23. 16. Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing a Sustainable Approach at Academic Libraries 181
  24. 17. Information Dissemination is Not Enough 197
  25. 18. Going Green to Embrace Aesthetic Reflections and Sustainable Library Buildings 210
  26. Appendix
  27. Abbreviations 229
  28. Contributors 232
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