Green Libraries are:
...designed to minimise negative impact on the natural environment and maximise indoor environmental quality by means of careful site selection, use of natural construction materials and biodegradable products, conservation of resources (water, energy, paper), and responsible waste disposal (recycling, etc.)
Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science (ODLIS)
Green libraries also focus on related services, activities, events, literature and projects, demonstrating the social role and responsibility of libraries as leaders in environmental sustainability.
Objectives of the IFLA Green Library Award
- To reward the best Green Library submission that communicates the library’s commitment to environmental sustainability
- To create awareness of libraries’ social responsibility and leadership in environmental education. Libraries of all types are encouraged to participate
- To support the worldwide Green Library movement, concerned with
- environmentally sustainable buildings, environmentally sustainable information resources and programming conservation of resources and energy
- To promote the development of Green Libraries initiatives locally and worldwide
- To encourage Green Libraries to actively present their activities to an international audience
For more information about the award and for application forms visit the IFLA website.
Read about the 2018 winners here.