A Greener Landscape for Libraries

Ooops! Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!

Reading Assignment #11

Source:
Alpi, K.M. (2000, March). It's not easy to be green: a survey of staff experience with environmental issues in sci-tech and other libraries. Retrieved August 30, 2008 from http://www.library.ucsb.edu/istl/00-spring/article1.html

Summary:

A survey on environmental policies and committees, individual and institutional attitudes related to recycling, and the effects of electronic journals and reserves on copying and printing was given to STS-L Listserv subscribers. Sixty five individuals responded to the survey. Environmental or recycling policies were available to 70% of responding libraries and 16% of them has representation on an environmental committee. No respondent and only a few of the staff and students were perceived as rejecting or hostile with regards to the attitudes of the staff and students. Materials recycle in their libraries include office paper,aluminum cans, mixed paper, toner cartridges, cardboard, glass, plastic, CD-ROMs and newspapers. More than 30% stated that their institution handles used computers and office equipment while some say they recycle or donate them. Book sales and donation to other institutions lead the list of book and journal discard methods. Electronic journals and reserves offered by the respondents are assumed to cause changes in printing and copying whereas increase in printing was reported by 69% of them. Copying effects are uncertain with 17% observing an increase and 29% stated a decrease. Several ways on how libraries may become environment friendly were also identified.

Learnings:

• There are two goals for an institution to be green: reducing waste and maximizing the use of resources. Libraries should strive to achieve both.
• In an academic institution, there are two elements of greening: (1)operational greening which include diminishing waste and promoting environmental conservation; and (2) curriculum greening which include environmental ethics and environmental curriculum support.
• By gearing ourselves and the library towards greening, we do not only save money and help protect earth but we also empower and motivate employees as well.
• More resources on green librarianship are observably written by foreign authors/librarians; Local literature on green librarianship are only a handful.
• We librarians can influence people to support environmental causes and also serve as role models of environmental friendliness.

Implications/Reflections:
Although there are more recent literature on green librarianship, I have chosen to highlight the study made by Alpi since this is the first research that I have read for my thesis (sustainable library practices and trends of selected academic libraries). It is among the core researches that I will suggest that one should read to have further knowledge on library sustainability. I do believe that no matter what type and size an institution may be, it is still accountable in safeguarding the environment- thus including libraries. The library consumes resources derived from the environment and also has by-products generated as it provide services to its patrons. It is quite disconcerting that some individuals (including some librarians) find environmental issues not important until they become more pronounced. This kind of thinking should be changed.

On the positive side, many libraries and organizations are already jumping and joining the greening caravan. ALA has a task force created for the environment. It also held a conference entitled "Cup by cup for a greener ALA" wherein members were asked to bring reusable cups and thus saving thousands of Styrofoam cups. Many libraries in other countries are already into green building designs, recycling projects and environmental awareness programs. Tips on how one can keep a library green, environment related policies, energy analysis and benchmarks are also available online for many librarians to read and adopt. Mr. Val Mendoza, a forester, believes that we librarians are in a good position to "educate people by example" other than just giving them information on the environment. We should be more active on this cause to provide a better future for the next generation. Reiterating what Alpi said: "it's not easy to be green, but it's worth it!"

Some Library Greening Tips:

• Turn off computers and other office equipment if not in use. Better to unplug them.
• Avoid printing e-mail unless needed for records retention.
• Promote and patronize earth friendly and recycled products.
• Use the back side of waste paper for rough drafts.
• Make reports and other documents available on line (option to read only or to print if needed)
• Hold programs/exhibits on environmental awareness (i.e. Earth Day)
• Make use of day lighting in the library.
• If planning for a new library building, consider applying sustainable design principles.
• Conduct regular energy analysis/audit in the library.
• Facilitate and participate in book duplicate exchange programs.
• Read and write articles on greening.
• Hold recycling programs for your community.

Other Sources on Green Librarianship:

• Electronic Green Journal. http://egj.lib.uidaho.edu/index.php/egj
• Green libraries directory. http://www.greenlibraries.org
• Lighting for Libraries/Libris Design Project. http://www.librisdesign.org/docs/LightingLibraries.pdf
• Green Library Blog of McKiernan. http://thegreenlibraryblog.blogspot.com