Goal 7: 2. Library Policies and Best Practices

The most important application of SDG 7 in libraries is the Green Library - a library where construction, internal spaces, sanitation and heating systems meet green standards. The Green, or better “Sustainable library” is defined in ODLIS (the online Dictionary of Library Science: “A library designed to minimize negative impact on the natural environment and maximize indoor environmental quality by means of careful site selection, use of natural construction materials and biodegradable products, conservation of resources (water, energy, paper), and responsible waste management (recycling, etc.).”

In Europe, examples of green libraries are, for instance, the Robert de Sorbon Library of the University of Reims (France), the Brighton’s Jubilee Library in the United Kingdom, the McClay Library of the Queen’s University of Belfast and the Amsterdam Public Library.

The five crucial criteria are: 

a) reducing  energy  consumption;

b) efficient  use  of  the  energy supply; 

c) minimizing  the  time  of  equipment operation  through  a  default  powering  off  or  going  into standby mode;

d) use of the simplest and most user-friendly solutions; and

e) use of passive systems for the environment adjustment.

[The  checklist  was developed  by  Klaus Ulrich  Werner, Werner, Klaus Ulrich: Sustainable buildings, equipment, and management. A checklist, which has received translations into eighteen languages. For an overall review, see: Malgorzata Fedorowicz-Kruszewska. Sustainable libraries – fashion or necessity? JLIS.it, 10, 1 (January 2019), ISSN: 2038-1026 online, https://www.jlis.it/article/view/12500/11355.]

Library activities pursuing SDG 7 mainly concern awareness on zero-, low-carbon sources of energy – green energy, blue energy - performed in collaboration with organizations belonging to the civil society. In this respect, the implementation of citizens’ science projects, where scientists can test new solutions through the support of an active and well informed citizenry, may play an important role for the attainment of SDG 7. In Belgium The air seekers project (see SDG 11.6) has been developed by Transport and Development.

 

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