Emma Noyce.
library sector as well as a network for coming together and sharing informa- tion.
She will give an overview of the pro- gramme so far – why it was founded, what has been learnt and what happens next. Emma, who contributed to a session on Working towards net zero at CILIP Conference and Expo last year, has overseen a significant shift to greener library buildings and working practices in Hampshire. While she believes the measurable approaches to climate change – planting more trees, de-car- bonising buildings, stopping single use plastics – are important, she says the sector should play to its strengths and look at its role in the data, information and culture around these processes. For example, in Hampshire smart meter data is available to library managers making it easier to minimise consump- tion in inefficient buildings.
And as well as the data and measurable physical changes, she is equally focussed on the interconnected social issues. “For me there is a real role for libraries to engage all parts of the community, particularly those people who don’t automatically feel that environmental issues are relevant to their own lives. Because the issue of equality and inclu- sion is ingrained into tackling climate change. Climate change will make existing inequalities more profound. It
will affect those people who have the least impact on the climate the most.” The day will also include two panel discussions. The first of these will be chaired by Isobel Hunter, Chief Executive of Libraries connected, and will explore ideas around reducing the environmental impact of library buildings and stock. Isobel said: “There are about 3,500 pub- lic library buildings across the country – so that represents an enormous volume to heat and light with a significant collective environmental impact. It can be a chal- lenge for libraries to improve the carbon footprint of their branches, as buildings are often not managed directly by the libraries but by council property departments.” Although she believes most councils
have a sharp focus now on improving the environmental impact of their libraries, she said it may take a while: “Library buildings may be some way down their to-do lists, and as many councils have scores of librar- ies, then bringing improvements to all of them could take a very long time indeed.” She said the panel “will take a positive look at what action everyone in libraries can take to make a positive impact”. The first speaker Colin Jackson is an architect working for Hampshire Council and will talk about his work to improve library buildings across the county. The panel includes Ayub Khan, Libraries Connected President, head of libraries in Warwickshire, who will be talking in his capacity as Chair of Designing Libraries, which is a treasure trove of designs from all types of libraries across the globe. Ayub will explore how environmental considerations are increasingly important to both new builds and refurbishments. And finally Cordelia Spalding will talk about a wonderful Natural England project that has worked with libraries to help green their communities. The project helps library communities map green spaces near the library and then helps them transform derelict library gardens, car parks and pavements into planted spaces to help form oases for wildlife and humans.
Isobel said: “The sustainability challenge is huge, but we hope this panel will inspire delegates they can take positive action in their library service that will benefit the environment and bring pleasure to users and staff.”
Luke Burton. January-February 2023
The role of libraries in empowering communities to address social and envi- ronmental justice will then be looked at by another panel of sector experts chaired by Luke Burton, Director of Libraries at the Arts Council who said: “Libraries sit at the heart of the communities they serve and have a key role to play in empowering and informing their users, ensuring they have access to reliable information. The Arts Council is committed to supporting the library sector in its critical role to inform users and support their local authorities
Isobel Hunter.
in combating climate change.” Much of the insight and direction of the project has come from Julie’s Bicycle, one of the four partners. It is a pioneering not-for-profit organisation that mobilises the arts and culture to take action on the climate and ecological crisis.
Julie’s Bicycle has, among other things, helped to shape and lead the work and provide specialist expertise for the delivery of Programme activities. Also the planning and delivery of research to establish an overview of the ‘state of the sector’ in Environmental Responsibility including a sector-wide survey (https://bit. ly/40as1IF), the results are on the Green Libraries hub.
Claire Buckley, of Julie’s Bicycle, said:“While the environment is on every- one’s radar, overall library services are in the earlier stages of their environmental journey in terms of library place and prac- tice. This is particularly true where bigger changes and investment is linked to local authority decision-making. What has also become very clear, is the potential for libraries to play a key role on public engagement, and supporting a green and just transition in particular with local communities, as demonstrated by the case studies and small grants projects done in 2022.” Find out more about grants award- ed at
www.cilip.org.uk/GreenLibraries. The other key note speaker for the day will be Lord Parkinson, a Conservative
Ayub Khan. INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 15
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