INSIGHT
‘‘ Building Collections
Sense and sustainability: greener library book acquisitions
A
COUPLE of years ago, I wrote a column for this magazine describing ways in which the sector was looking at
increasing sustainability in stock and resource acquisitions. At the time, many of these were flagged as ‘potential’ or as being ‘currently explored’.
Since then, the wider green agenda has become an ever-higher profile drive in all aspects of life. In the library world we have seen the launch of CILIP’s Greener Libraries Partnership and associated conference and training opportunities, and this year’s Libraries Week has been badged as Green Libraries Week (https://
librariesweek.org.uk).
If nothing else, library service managers and staff are now much more switched on to the environmental impact our services have, especially in buildings management, energy, and the use of materials in service delivery and administration. But has anything changed in how we acquire, manage and handle physical library stock, or are we still earnestly ‘looking into it’? Some changes have been small, and perhaps not particularly visible to the casual observer – for example, packaging has been reduced and/or replaced with more sustainable alternatives. In my earlier column, I wrote about the need for the UK library sector to take the leap and gather evidence on the efficacy of plastic book jackets in prolonging the useable life of books. There is a tricky balance between the impact of using plastic and the need to protect and keep stock in useable condition. At the time, there was no real evidence to help us understand this balance.
Having written the piece and, in effect, 30 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL
laying down the challenge, I’d placed myself in a position where I had to take that step forward. So, last year Suffolk Libraries started a trial. We arranged with our main supplier, Askews and Holts, for a selection of stock to be supplied without plastic.
Focusing on paperback format, we bought approximately 200 books, selecting titles representative of the wider range of library stock, including books for children and adults, new bestsellers and solid back-catalogue staples.
We wanted it to be as ‘real’ as possible. We wanted them to be well used and handled, as normal – not to be given especially careful treatment by staff and readers. The books were placed in general library stock in one branch and were available for reservation at other sites too. It is not just use by readers that will impact on the condition of a book, handling by staff and transit between locations will also have an effect. Each book had a label inside explaining why it didn’t have a jacket and we asked users to treat the book with the normal level of care they would any library book, but not to be extra cautious in their handling of it. We briefed staff across the service about the trial so if and when they came across any unjacketed books, they would know why – and so they didn’t (with all good intentions) give the book a nice new jacket! We also asked that any of the books withdrawn from circulation weren’t disposed of, but were sent to the stock unit so we could check the condition and investigate the level of use and transportation they had been subject to. The trial ends this month, but through ongoing monitoring we have already been able to start drawing together findings and conclusions.
Paul Howarth (
paul.howarth@
suffolklibraries.co.uk) is Head of Content and Resource Development, Suffolk Libraries.
www.suffolklibraries.co.uk
If nothing else, library service managers and staff are now much more switched on to the environmental impact our services have...
Early results show that only a small number of the books needed to be withdrawn during the trial, no more than with general paperback stock. In most cases withdrawal was due to reasons that a plastic jacket wouldn’t have prevented anyway. A fuller analysis has begun but the early conclusion is that in the conditions described, plastic jackets appear not to make much difference to the life of a paperback library book. There may be some evidence that jackets do increase the length of time an item remains in apparent ‘pristine’, appearance and is therefore useable in displays and promotions, and that isn’t without value.
We’re still reviewing and deciding next steps, but it seems inevitable that we’ll roll this out to some further level. To confidently state our commitment to sustainability, we need to continuously challenge ourselves and adapt to keep moving in the right direction. Can we honestly call ourselves green libraries if we don’t? IP
September 2023
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