IN DEPTH
Grow your green credentials at the Green Libraries Conference
Green Libraries Conference returns on 25 November, with a theme of Every Library a Green Library, the conference offers practical insights into how to build and develop services that support a sustainable future. Rob Green talks to Laragh Quinney and Megan Veitch of National Library Scotland and Vicky Clarke from Blackpool Library Service.
LIBRARIES can be catalysts for environmental change through the services they provide, and by empowering people to be agents of change in the local communities and globally. Green Libraries Conference is an opportunity for all those working in libraries to learn more about how services can adapt to support positive change. Laragh Quinney and Vicky Clarke will both be joining a discussion panel on Sustaina- ble Collections and Climate Literacy.
Climate Literacy Training
Laragh is Maps Reading Room Manager for the National Library of Scotland, and along with her colleague Megan is Security Supervisor for the National Library of Scotland. In 2023 the pair took on responsibility as the library’s Climate Action Plan co-leads.
Laragh says: “I’ve always loved spending time in nature and been interested in environmental news and research. But in recent years I’ve found the urgency of the climate crisis frightening. I want to find ways I can take action on climate issues. I was delighted when a secondment opportunity came up to spend part of my time as Programme Lead for the National Library of Scotland’s Climate Action Plan.” Megan echoes those fears and the need for people to take responsibility now, before it is too late, saying: “My love of the ocean and the environment started at a very young age growing up in North- east Fife. The older I got, the stronger my passion became, leading me to a master’s degree in marine resource development and protection from Heriot Watt University. Over the years my concern for the environment has only grown and I count myself very lucky to be able to make a difference.”
Build resilience As co-leads on the National Library’s Climate Action 34 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL
Rob Green (
rob.green@
cilip.org.uk) is Editor of Information Professional
Plan, Laragh and Megan took responsibility for im- plementing and monitoring actions to help achieve the aims of the plan, which was created in 2021. The reality of that means tracking objectives, creating collaboration opportunities – both internally and with the wider community, and sharing information with colleagues across the organisation. Megan says: “There are over 80 actions in the plan, so we need to work with colleagues from all the departments in the library to try and complete these. As well as working to cut our own carbon footprint, the library is also keen to use our collec- tions to help build resilience and improve climate literacy across Scotland. We want to find ways to promote sustainability in our collections, events and wider engagement.”
It soon emerged that staff were keen to understand more, as Laragh explains: “Our Climate Action Plan had identified that our staff were looking for train- ing in this area. So, in early 2023 we arranged for a trainer to deliver a day of carbon literacy training using the Carbon Literacy for Museums toolkit. This was an engaging and inspiring day. But although
October-November 2024
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