A project team of volunteers from across the profession worked on reviewing and updating the carbon literacy training for libraries course. This included collecting case studies from libraries across Eng- land, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The course offers insights from public librar- ies, NHS libraries, university libraries, school libraries and more, ensuring every- one can find some practical inspiration for their own service.
Laragh Quinney.
libraries and museums have many similar concerns, we felt an important message about how libraries are a great model of sustainability and can support their communities was missing. “Carbon Literacy training is all about inspiring action and our trainer encour- aged us to take on a group action to develop a Carbon Literacy for Libraries course. This was both terrifying and exciting! And it fitted well with the National Library of Scotland’s desire to advocate for climate action and help share good practice across the library sector.”
Sustainable collaboration Laragh points out that the development of the course was collaborative from the start, saying: We needed to raise funding to purchase the rights to adapt the Museums toolkit and have the new course validated by the Carbon Literacy Trust. A huge thank you to CILIPS, who funded us from their Research Fund. “We wanted to create a course that would be relevant to librarians from different sectors, so our first step was to recruit project partners from other library sectors. A shout-out on the Green Libraries Network brought us some enthusiastic volunteers, while a presentation on the project at the CILIPS Green Libraries Gathering allowed us to gather early feedback on what librarians would want from the course.”
The course is designed to empower staff to look at the decisions they are making and choose the most sustainable approach. Megan says: “Carbon Literacy for Libraries was developed by librarians for librarians. It looks at the impacts of climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, climate justice, carbon footprints, sus- tainable development goals, national and international treaties and frameworks. It discusses how libraries can tell climate stories and support sustainable commu- nities. And it finishes by helping learners develop their own actions to carry out in their libraries. All learners completing the course and filling in their participant action form are certified as carbon literate by the Carbon Literacy Trust.
“Carbon Literacy for Libraries is a share- able course. It’s designed to spread ‘root and branch’. If you have received carbon literacy certification you can become a trainer and cascade the course to others. We can make all the course materials available to libraries and really hope that this project spreads out across the country and reaches as many library staff as possible.
“We’d love to end up with hundreds of librarians certified as carbon literate and pledging their own actions to cut carbon emissions.”
Play your part Megan Veitch. October-November 2024
So, what can you do to make a difference? Both Laragh and Megan say that the training is a great way to begin, and could lead to even more action being taken. “Individuals and organisations can get involved by taking part in Carbon Literacy Training,” says Megan. “They can also commit to cascading the training with- in their workplaces and communities, ensuring a broad reach and long-term impact. The National Library of Scotland and CILIPS are planning more Carbon Literacy for Libraries training sessions in coming months, both online and in-per- son, and we’ve had 3 libraries get in touch to start cascading the course themselves. “The course is designed to be flexible. Training can be delivered online or in per- son, and can take a full day, two half-days or be split into four separate modules. Whatever suits your situation best.” Laragh adds: “As well as cutting your library’s carbon footprint, the training looks at the idea of green carbon hand- prints – how libraries can help their com-
Vicky Clarke.
munities reduce carbon emissions. There are great examples of libraries setting up lend and mend hubs or hosting climate events that engage their community and signpost to local sustainable projects. “We feel the concept of green handprints could be incredibly important for library advocacy and explaining how every library is a green library. We should celebrate loud and proud how libraries are helping their communities to cut carbon emissions.”
Eco-hub finds home in library Joining Laragh on the panel discussion will be Vicky Clarke, Head of Libraries at Blackpool Council. Vicky runs the library service, covering eight libraries – includ- ing a Carnegie library and on based in a launderette.
The service has recently launched its eco-hub, a one-stop shop for informa- tion and advice on sustainability. Vicky describes it as “a point of contact with the public, able to provide information and support to de-carbonise the wider area, whilst also serving as a demonstrator of various low carbon technologies.” Blackpool Central Library was chosen as the home for the hub, which was developed in conjunction with Blackpool Council, Groundworks and Cosy Homes In Lancashire using funds from the Gov- ernment Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF).
The right space
Vicky says: “An area was created inside the library that members of the public and businesses could visit to receive advice on how to make their homes and businesses more efficient and work towards being carbon neutral in the future. Ground works have a team of Green Doctors who work with Cosy Homes staff in people’s homes and grants can be allocated to qualifying residents to upgrade their homes. “The library service has a dedicated Eco Hub engagement assistant who work with the Eco Hub teams and the public to spread the word about what they can do to help to tackle climate change on a small scale and raise awareness in our communities.” Putting the hub in the library, which is co-located with a leisure centre makes it
INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 35
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
