Factors Influencing the Adoption of Green Libraries for Environmental Sustainability: A Systematic Literature Review

1 Introduction

Sustainability or “sustainable development” represent the same and describe how the present environment should support humans in their progress and development, how environmental constraints can be reduced, and the human living quality enhanced (Ruggerio 2021). Environmental protection is an important pillar of sustainable development. The United Nations (UN) devised the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000 when 189 countries gathered, discussed, and decided the goals for the next 15 years, with these goals revised in 2015. Libraries are an important segment of any academic institute and play a role in the knowledge economy. A library is a place where users visit and fulfill their information and knowledge needs. In this context, the library environment plays an important role in producing, developing, and distributing knowledge among users. The MDGs by the UN provide opportunities for libraries to develop their libraries “to achieve a sustainable environment.” Green libraries assist in maintaining sustainable environment and increase the book reading culture in society (Ajani, Tella, and Enakrire 2024; Mwanzu, Bosire-Ogechi, and Odero 2023a, 2023b).

There are different factors influencing librarians to adopt green libraries for a sustainable environment including decreased energy consumption, hygienic environment, cost-effective, UN-MDGs, and the 2030 agenda for sustainable development (Mwanzu, Bosire-Ogechi, and Odero 2023a). Greening has its role in different phases of the building like construction, operations, maintenance, renovation, and destruction. These green buildings create positive impacts on the performance of readers as well as on their health. Mathiasson and Jochumsen (2022) argued that the adoption of green libraries is gaining popularity among librarians, library administrators, and library architects and this was due to the benefits and impacts of green building on health, economy, society, and the environment as well. The green libraries also contribute to a healthier planet and assist in promoting book reading culture in society. Library patrons, in the presence of green libraries, have sound mental health and they provide potential outcomes in different fields of life (Ren and Lu 2024).

There are various benefits of green libraries for the environment and the users’ community. These libraries prove beneficial in reducing pollution. These use eco-friendly materials, renewable resources, and energy-efficient systems. These provide potential benefits to both librarians and library users. Green libraries offer a healthy environment by improving natural light and air quality. Library patrons feel a great mental comfort due to the availability of green libraries in society. Furthermore, these libraries support the promotion of sustainability by spreading awareness to people to adopt eco-friendly habits. Green libraries are very beneficial for the welfare of the community (Dogan and Gurpinar 2023; Li and Yang 2023; Maina and Mwiti 2023; Sivaprasad, Thanuskodi, and Nagaiah 2024; Patil and Jani 2024).

There are several challenges for adopting green libraries for a sustainable environment. These challenges occur at different stages of the green libraries like planning, execution, activities, financial and social issues etc. Lack of awareness among library professionals is a major challenge (Aulisio 2013; Chowdhury 2010). The reason for the librarian’s decreased awareness is the lack of education in their formal teaching and professional training. Poor funding of the libraries is also an important challenge, particularly for those libraries that belong to underdeveloped countries (Idiegbeyan-Ose et al. 2019).

This study was carried out to find out the factors influencing the adoption of green libraries. The Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method was adopted to find out the responses of the research questions. This study shows how librarians can plan and execute their new green libraries or even transform existing libraries.

2 Research Questions

This study is an attempt to bridge the gap in existing literature and provide an understanding of the factors influencing the adoption of green libraries for environmental sustainability, impact of green libraries, and the challenges faced by the librarians while establishing green libraries. The following research questions were developed.

• RQ1. What does the current research literature explore about the factors influencing the adoption of green libraries for environmental sustainability?

• RQ2. How is environmental sustainability impacted by green libraries?

• RQ3. What are the challenges being faced by librarians while establishing green libraries?

RQ1 relates to the different factors that motivate the library professional to convert, build, or adopt green libraries to contribute in environmental sustainability. To understand the phenomena, all the factors related to the adoption of green libraries (main categories) were created. RQ2 relates to the impact of green libraries on a sustainable environment. RQ3 focuses on finding out the challenges faced by the librarians while establishing green libraries.

3 Methodology

To probe the factors influencing the adoption of green libraries for environmental sustainability along with the impacts of green libraries on the environment and the challenges being faced by the librarians, the systematic literature review (SLR) is the appropriate method for the current study. For SLR, the preferred reporting items for the systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) is used which is a preferable method in such types of studies (Shahzad and Khan 2023). PRISMA is envisioned for consistency and accountability in the systematic literature review process. There are three basic stages of the SLR using PRISMA: (1) planning the review; (2) conducting the review; and (3) analysis of the literature. PRISMA consists of four steps, “identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion,” which have been adopted in the current study. PRISMA supports maintaining transparency and neutrality.

The research methodology of systematic literature review (SLR) is vastly applied in several disciplines, including information management, medical science, education, technology, psychology, management science, and computer sciences. In the past, several authors conducted systematic reviews through PRISMA procedures and guidelines (Ali and Warraich 2018; Shahzad and Khan 2023). This research methodology enables researchers to illustrate the findings of different studies conducted worldwide through synthetic analysis. This methodology is frequently applied due to its fruitful impact. Keeping in view the potential benefits of SLR and the nature of the current study, the methodology of SLR was applied.

3.1 Search Strategy

To access the relevant documents for the current study, authors used different tools and strategies like Boolean operators, different searching filters, advanced search strategies, and the Keyword in Context (KWIC). Käki (2006, n.p.) described KWIC as “Each word that is not a stop-word becomes an entry word.” Keeping in view the objectives of the study, the following phrases were used for KWIC method searches:

1. Factors influencing the adoption of green libraries for environmental sustainability

2. Impact of green libraries on environmental sustainability

3. Challenges being faced by librarians while establishing green libraries

Further searching methods like Boolean operators and truncation strategy were also used. At every phrase the truncation sign, *, was used to get the maximum results. The following operators were used to get the required data:

1. Green libraries

2. Green librarianship

3. Libraries for sustainable environment

4. Eco-friendly libraries

5. Libraries for environmental sustainability

6. Go green and library

7. Adoption of green libraries

8. Factors influencing green libraries

9. Libraries for sustainable goals

10. Challenges to adopt green libraries

The above terms were used to retrieve maximum studies on the topic under investigation. These terms were extracted through different relevant articles. Synonym terms were also employed so that maximum relevant studies might be retrieved. Different databases thesauruses were also consulted so that any relevant studies might not be missed. Keywords used by different authors in relevant articles were also considered during the search process.

The search strings consisted of all types of libraries including public, private, academic, special, college, school, and university. Different combinations of words like sustainability, sustainable, go green, green, and good environment were used for the green library environment.

Figure 1 describes the flow of the search strategy:

Figure 1:

Search process to access the relevant documents.

3.2 Databases and Retrieved Documents

For the current study, different quality and peer-reviewed digital platforms were used. These included EBSCO (LISA/LISTA), Elsevier, Emerald, IEEE, Sage Publications, Taylor & Francis, Wiley, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The reason for including Scopus and Google Scholar was to get a maximum number of required documents for the current study. Figure 2 displays that 844 documents were retrieved from these databases.

Figure 2:

Number of retrieved papers from selected databases.

3.4 Validity and Reliability

To avoid bias, only peer-reviewed articles were selected. The three authors of the current study are master trainers in searching techniques and working in three different institutes. They accessed the data while using different searching techniques. First, the abstracts of each article were read by all three authors and only studies meeting the criteria were selected. The authors also devised the inclusion and exclusion criteria which reduced bias and were considered robust as every effort was made to remove the errors in the selection and analysis process.

Moreover, a good SLR demands the quality of assessment which gives reliability and validity to the study. The researchers focused only on those studies that showed the factors influencing the adoption of green libraries for sustainable environments and their impacts and challenges. Pre- and post-review discussions were made among all authors to increase inter-rater reliability (Khalid, Malik, and Mahmood 2021).

Figure 3 shows all the processes including selection of databases, inclusion of the documents, removal of duplicates, and final documents for analysis.

Figure 3:

Document selection process for analysis.

4 Results

This study is an attempt to find out the response of the RQs, i.e. factors in the adoption of green libraries, the impact of green libraries on environmental sustainability, and the challenges faced by the librarians while adopting green libraries. Initially in the general search (without filters) the researchers could get 2,364 documents, while after applying the filters and advanced techniques the authors got 844 documents, and after applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 33 papers were selected for data analysis (Table 2).

For the analysis, the required information including author details, title, country (of first author), year of publication, journal name, research method applied, factors, impacts, and challenges were drawn from the papers (n = 33). The thematic analysis was done for the data analysis as it is the appropriate method for SLR studies (Shahzad and Khan 2023). From the data set, major categories were abstracted and then the thematic analysis was applied from the studies (n = 33).

4.1 Overview of the Studies

4.1.1 Geographical Location of Published Papers

In total 33 documents, 12 countries contributed studies on the topic under investigation. The affiliation of the first author was considered as the country of the research. As per data in Figure 4, India produced most of the studies on developing green libraries (n = 9), followed by the USA (n = 5), and then Kenya and Nigeria with the same number of publications (n = 3), while other countries have produced two or less papers.

Figure 4:

Geographical location of published papers.

4.1.2 Databases

The authors consulted Tayler and Francis (Social Sciences or Education databases), Emerald Insight (Business, Management & Strategy or Education databases), Sage Publication (SAGE journals), IEEE (Journals), Elsevier (Science Direct Journals), Wiley Inter Science (Social Sciences Databases), and EBSCO (Academic Search Complete) as well as two indexing/abstracting search engines (Scopus {Peer reviewed journals} and Google Search) to acquire the relevant data. In the first research, a total of 2,364 documents were retrieved but after applying the search filters and using advanced techniques 844 documents were retrieved which were very much relevant to the topic. After employing the inclusion/exclusion criteria, a total of 33 papers were selected for final analysis. The current study found 323 documents from EBSCO, 189 from Google Scholar, 155 from Wiley Inter Science, 89 from Taylor and Francis, and 54 from Emerald Insight, while all other databases provided less than 50 documents on the topic.

4.1.3 Year-wise Distribution of Papers

With reference to Figure 5, it is evident that most articles that discussed the factors or impacts or challenges of green libraries were published during 2023 (n = 6), followed by the year 2024 (n = 4) and then during years 2022, 2020 and 2019, when three papers were published in each year. In other years, two or less articles were published.

Figure 5:

Year-wise distribution of the selected papers.

4.2 Research Methods Applied in the Selected Papers

With reference to Figure 6, the quantitative research method was the most appropriate method (n = 18) applied by the researchers in their studies followed by a systematic literature review (n = 7) and case studies (n = 3). The researchers also adopted some other designs like descriptive research, interviews, observations and document analysis, desk research method, descriptive survey research, and a qualitative approach to find out the factors, impacts, and challenges of green libraries for sustainable development.

Figure 6:

Research design applied by the research on relevant studies.

4.3 Factors Influencing the Adoption of Green Libraries

Many studies discussed the factors influencing the adoption of green libraries. Based on their results, six major categories were identified: external factors, internal factors, institutional goals, technological advancement, green library initiatives, and sustainable development (Figure 7). The following are details of these factors.

Figure 7:

Results – factors influencing the adoption of green libraries.

4.3.1 External Factors

Different studies pointed out different external factors that influence the adoption of green libraries. Force choice and market demand (Olubunmi, Xia, and Skitmore 2016) are among the factors, as the idea prevailing, and the competitors force the librarians to adopt these technologies. Environmentally conscious users (Mwanzu, Bosire-Ogechi, and Odero 2023a, 2023b) also force the library authorities to adopt the GL for SD. Other external factors like public education initiatives (Binks et al. 2014), social responsibility (Sarkar 2020), climate change (Antonelli 2008; Kumar and Singh 2019; Mwanzu, Bosire-Ogechi, and Odero 2023a, 2023b), social and economic role (Fedorowicz-Kruszewska 2023), growing climate crisis/global warming (Mwanzu, Bosire-Ogechi, and Odero 2023a, 2023b), and overpopulation (Kamińska, Opaliński, and Wycislik 2021) encouraged the concerned authorities to switch from traditional libraries to green libraries.

Traditional libraries refer to libraries primarily focused on providing information resources and services without necessarily incorporating sustainable practices into their operations. These libraries often prioritize printed materials, physical infrastructure, and classic models of information service delivery. In contrast, green libraries actively integrate environmental sustainability into their mission, encompassing energy-efficient designs, sustainable materials, reduced resource use, and initiatives that promote environmental awareness within the community. This evolution from traditional to green libraries can indeed be seen as a response to external factors, including the climate crisis and the need for greater institutional resilience. By redefining their role in promoting sustainability, libraries are positioning as leaders in community-wide ecological awareness and action. This shift aligns with broader trends in organizational and institutional development toward sustainable practices.

4.3.2 Internal Factors

Some internal factors also influence the librarians to adopt the GL for sustainability. Personal satisfaction is an important factor that provides gratification to those who adopt a green environment for their libraries. Some studies reported that due to altruistic and persuasive approaches (Olubunmi, Xia, and Skitmore 2016), professionals decide to go green. Inspirational incentives, professional commitment, and awareness are also other important internal factors that influence the current traditional libraries to adopt green technologies (Aulisio 2013).

5 Challenges while developing green libraries

The studies pointed out the different challenges faced by library professionals while developing green libraries for sustainable development. The major themes related to challenges are funding issues, technical issues, lack of awareness, absence of rules and regulations, and some miscellaneous challenges faced by the librarians.

6 Discussion

This is the first study on the topic based on the systemic literature review that covers the three important constructs i.e. factors influencing the adoption of green libraries, impacts of green libraries on sustainable development, and the challenges faced by the librarians while adopting the green technologies in their libraries. After a comprehensive and in-depth literature search from the selected peer-reviewed and quality databases, the authors have selected only 33 papers that are very much relevant to the current study, and which meet inclusion and exclusion selection criteria.

This is a new area for most of the researchers, so much of literature was available before 2000. The main reason for this increase is the development of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the publications also rose after 2015 when the United Nations (UN) revised the goals with a new title, Sustain Development Goals (SDGs), in 2015. Sustainability was the main concept in these goals, and library professionals then started thinking and working on these areas. The contributed papers of this study belong to different geographical locations including Australia, USA, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Kenya, Nigeria, China, Poland, Indonesia, and Hong Kong. The developed countries are more focused in this area, while the developing countries are only planning to adopt these technologies and the underdeveloped countries are behind in adopting them due to many factors, particularly funding issues.

Sustainable development practices in libraries offer opportunities for library professionals to provide healthy and safe environments for their users. This can be done with a change in their services, change of their types of equipment, green buildings, maximum use of natural resources, and less use of resources which harm human beings. With time, this phenomenon has gained popularity as climate change has become a great challenge to the environment. Every human and institute should contribute their part in reducing the negative effects of climate change. Libraries are the hub of knowledge and information and also play a role in providing a healthy environment to their users and adopting different tools and technologies to adopt sustainability.

The first research question of this study was about the factors influencing the adoption of green libraries for environmental sustainability. The findings of the study revealed that the MDGs and SDGs are the major factors in influencing library professionals to adopt green libraries for sustainability. The studies also reported a few external factors including market demand, environmentally conscious consumers, collaborative partnership, social responsibility, the growing climate crisis, and global warming (Antonelli 2008; Binks et al. 2014; Kamińska, Opaliński, and Wycislik 2021; Kumar and Singh 2019; Mwanzu, Bosire-Ogechi, and Odero 2023a; Olubunmi, Xia, and Skitmore 2016). Gratification, inspirational incentives, professional commitment, and the librarian’s attitude are internal factors (Aulisio 2013; Olubunmi, Xia, and Skitmore 2016). Institutional goals and technological advancements are other major factors, influencing the librarians for adoption of green technologies in their libraries (Afacan 2017; Ajani, Tella, and Enakrire 2024; Fedorowicz-Kruszewska 2023; Peterson et al. 2014; Singh and Mishra 2019).

The second RQ was related to the impact of green libraries on environmental sustainability. Five major themes including sustainable development, social impact, use of natural resources, optimal use of resources, and impacts on the environment are devised. The data revealed that improving sustainability, promoting environmental sustainability, attaining sustainable libraries, and eco-sustainability of libraries were related to sustainable development (Barnes 2012; Goel and Kumar 2023; Kang 2020; Singh and Dixit 2021). User satisfaction, environmental consciousness, economic sustainability, innovative climate literacy, social and intergeneration justice, and promoting social development were the subthemes of social impacts (Afacan 2017; Ajani, Tella, and Enakrire 2024; Kang 2020; Mwanzu, Bosire-Ogechi, and Odero 2023a). Energy savings, green computing impact, energy efficiency, and energy depletion minimize the negative influence on the natural environment (Jones and Wong 2016; Mwanzu, Bosire-Ogechi, and Odero 2023a, 2023b). Reducing waste, recycling programs, environmentally friendly practices, reducing carbon footprint print, climate change, and reduction deterioration are the impacts of green technologies on the environment. These results are aligned with previous studies conducted by Connell (2010); Faulkner, Lu, and Chen (2021); Hasan and Panda (2023); Jayalakshmi and Sarangapani (2017); and Peterson et al. (2014).

The studies also reported a few challenges faced by the library professional while developing green libraries, which is the third RQ of the study. The results of the study revealed that funding is the major issue faced by librarians (Ajani, Tella, and Enakrire 2024; Aulisio 2013; Goel and Kumar 2023; Kamińska, Opaliński, and Wycislik 2021; Kumar and Singh 2019; Singh and Dixit 2021; Singh and Mishra 2019). Inadequate facilities and limited financial resources are related to the funding issues. Some technical issues like lack of developed tools, lack of technical support, lack of human resources, lack of knowledge, and technological barriers are other issues also reported by studies (Goel and Kumar 2023; Hasan and Panda 2023; Kamińska, Opaliński, and Wycislik 2021; Singh and Dixit 2021; Solemanpharcy and Gaffar 2023). Lack of awareness and understanding by librarians and implementation of proper rules and regulations are other challenges for library professionals. The same results can also be found in other literature (Ajani, Tella, and Enakrire 2024; Jones and Wong 2016; Singh and Mishra 2019).

It is worth noticing that findings of many studies are relevant to the adoption of green librarianship for environmental sustainability. It shows that the selected articles were aligned to the study’s objectives and the validity of the study’s results. The studies covering green libraries in the context of environmental stability were selected to conduct the systematic literature review.

Based on the results of these studies, the following recommendations have been developed for the proper adoption of green libraries for a sustainable environment:

1. LIS schools should add content related to sustainable development and sustainability of the libraries. The content of the syllabus should also respond to the query of how libraries play their role in sustainability.

2. For the practicing librarians, training for awareness and use of green technologies should be arranged by concerned departments, LIS schools, and professional associations.

3. The appropriate funds to adopt these technologies should be provided to the libraries.

4. Emerging green technology, equipment, and trained human resources should be provided for the adoption of green libraries.

5. True implementation of SDGs should be done in the libraries and proper monitoring and evaluation should also be conducted.

6. The libraries should be ranked based on these green technologies. This will provide an opportunity to benchmark the top-ranked libraries for learning and implementation of the technologies in respective libraries.

7 Limitations and Future Research

The researchers tried to minimize the limitations but the current study does still have few limitations, mentioned below:

1. The study has retrieved all relevant documents but there is still a chance that some important studies may be missed.

2. Papers published in English language were only considered for this study – not in other languages.

3. The current study considered only eight digital platforms to retrieve the data. Other digital platforms may have relevant studies and future researchers could also explore relevant literature from Web of Science.

4. The current study retrieved articles published after 2000 – future authors could retrieve relevant studies published before 2000 for a broader outlook.

5. In the future, the application of SDGs in libraries may be considered for further research.

6. The relationship between green technologies and environmental sustainability may be explored by future researchers.

7. The impacts of green libraries on global warming may also be conducted through an empirical study.