It’s Green Libraries Week this week, an event that is organised by the library association CILIP. There are a handful of events across the UK, looking at the role that libraries play in climate change. They are also encouraging libraries to sign up to their manifesto. Many have done so already, including our own local libraries here in Luton.
The manifesto recognises that libraries are at the heart of community, and that they are able to lead by example through their climate actions as well as helping to inform their users about climate change. Signatories to the manifesto agree to adopt best environmental practice, support local green initiatives, and use their own voice for more impact. They pledge to improve climate awareness among their own staff, and to work in partnership with other organisations to encourage climate solutions.
The campaign recognises that at a time of misinformation and disinformation, libraries can be a trusted source of reliable climate news and science. “We will use our unique reach and position of trust to share and help people find verified information, to combat climate disinformation, improve climate and environmental literacy and understanding and help develop critical thinking for all ages.”
Climate change needs everyone, and so it’s good to see libraries stepping up and making specific commitments for their sector. For those of us who are involved in climate work in the UK, I suggest having a look at the list of signatories. If your local libraries aren’t on it, get in touch and invite them to take part.
If they are on the list, then there’s an opportunity to help them fulfil the manifesto. Perhaps that’s encouraging them to stock more (and better) climate titles. The manifesto includes a commitment to make their spaces available to local associations and community groups, so see if you can use a library for a meeting. If you have the expertise, you might be able to help them out with some CPD for staff or running a climate literacy course. The manifesto is easy to sign, but libraries aren’t well resourced and they’ll need support from local people to help them deliver on it.
For readers outside the UK, there may be similar schemes where you are – please drop a link in the comments if you’re aware of one. If not, send your local library a link to CILIP and the manifesto and see if they’re willing to have a conversation about their response to the climate crisis. There’s also a series of webinars from the British Library that they might find useful.
The Earthbound Report 