The Green Library Movement: an overview and beyond.(Part 1)

Abstract

The creation of green libraries is approaching a tipping point, generating a Green Library Movement, which is comprised of librarians, libraries, cities, towns, college and university campuses committed to greening libraries and reducing their environmental impact. The Movement emerged in the early 1990s and gained popularity in the library profession around 2003. This innovation is happening by building green library buildings, by greening existing library facilities, providing green library services, and embracing environmentally supportive and sustainable practices within the library. Constructing a green library building using a performance standard like LEED is a way some libraries are choosing to become green and sustainable (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The California Integrated Waste Management Board defines a green or sustainable building as “a structure that is designed, built, renovated, operated, or reused in an ecological and resource-efficient manner” Environmental challenges like energy depletion and climate change will influence the type of information resources and programs libraries will provide to their communities.