costume – and we’ve since done the same for other sectors – so as to understand the real-life challenges they all faced, and what would need to change to help them work differently. “And of course, everyone needed to be sure the guidance was based on solid sustainability principles, so every conver- sation included our sustainability experts, Buro Happold. Everything in the Green Books has been developed by people working in culture, and underpinned by deep knowledge of sustainability.”
Beyond the theatre
The advice encompasses three volumes, each drawing on a different aspect of theatre production – Sustainable Production, Sustainable Buildings and Sustainable Operations. That simple framework allows users to hone-in on the areas that are most relevant to their needs. Paddy says that “the impact was
immediate. As soon as the theatre sector had these tools, we saw an instant change in momentum. Within weeks, the National Theatres in London, Scotland and Wales announced d and Wales announced they would make their productions to Green Book principles. Opera houses started trialling Green Book shows. Numerous medium and small- scale companies followed suit. “It wasn’t long before theatre commu- nities elsewhere followed suit, making translations and creating their own Green Book networks. Today we’re in 11 languages, with Green Book organisations across Europe and beyond.” The principles developed through the theatre-specific guidance allowed the second volume (The Arts Green Book: Sustainable Buildings) to develop broader advice for other GLAM organisations. Arts Council England and the Greater London Authority provided funding for the Sustainable Buildings volume. Paddy says: “[That funding allowed] us to take the middle book – Sustainable Buildings – and widen it to cover all sectors, includ- ing libraries. The principles, of course, are the same, but it took consultation with libraries to understand the specific challenges facing the sector and develop guidance accordingly.
“Many libraries are managed by larger organisations such as local authorities. There are opportunities in that, as well as challenges. Acting as climate refuges, libraries need to maintain comfortable conditions even at times of sparse occu- pation. That needs efficient systems and good controls. There may be challenges in providing controlled spaces for fragile collections.”
Paddy spoke about The Arts Green
Book at CILIP’s inaugural Green Libraries Conference, which took place in spring of this year. The event is part of CILIP’s
June 2023
Paddy Dillon.
Green Libraries Partnership, which includes a manifesto for libraries, resources, events and funding. The project is also creating a green libraries network, which is open to anyone working in the library sector in the UK. The network will promote wider collaboration and sharing of ideas around sustainability.
That notion of continued collaboration is also recognised as important by Paddy, who says it will help to share sustainable best-practice. He looks at how The Green Book can develop into the future, saying: “When it comes to managing library opera- tions, there’s much that can be transferred from the Operations volume of The Theatre Green Book.
“But without a doubt, consultation with library professionals will throw up both new challenges and new solutions to some of the issues around sustainable working. The result would be practical guidance to the everyday tasks of operating libraries: from digital presence, and communicating with stakeholders, through to cleaning and build- ing management, and making sure visitors can find sustainable ways of travelling to the premises. “We have no doubt that clear guidance, based – like the rest of The Green Book – on knowledge within the sector underpinned by professional sustainability expertise, can help the sector choose a common path to sustainability and a zero-carbon future.” The Arts Green Book: Sustainable Buildings is a free resource that includes
guidance and advice, and is backed up by a number of tools to benchmark current sustainability and help organisations take steps to improve. For free resources and upcoming events, visit
www.artsgreenbook.org. IP
Green Libraries Partnership
To get involved with CILIP’s Green Libraries Partnership and to find out more about the work CILIP is doing to lead on sustainability in libraries, visit the Green Libraries Partnership pages on CILIP’s website. You will find a range of library-specific advice, practical guides and tools.
You can also join more than 100 UK and international library services that have signed up to the Green Libraries Manifesto – a commitment to “come together towards a shared vision: to lead by example through our own environmental actions and use our power and reach to inform and inspire people to take positive action and build resilience in the diverse communities we serve.
“We recognise the diversity of our sector which is why this is an inclusive initiative for all libraries to help them make the changes they can, with the resources they have.”
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www.cilip.org.uk/GreenLibraries INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 23
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