Last week CILIP’s first Green Libraries Conference took place and showcased over a year of sustainable and attainable green projects and initiatives, at the Wellcome Collection in London.

130 delegates representing libraries, both public and from other sectors, and local government came together to discuss the unique position libraries hold in educating, raising awareness and taking action on the environment.

Takeaways from talks and panels

• Funding has had real impact on communities through green initiatives
• download the Green Libraries Case studies
• Libraries are in a unique position between local authorities and the communities they serve
• This means they can reach a wide audience
• And run pilot green schemes at scale, as well as laying down data-baselines for wider reaching green initiatives
• Action doesn’t need to be big – making small changes to library infrastructure like repurposing furniture is a great start, and doesn’t cost much
• Green libraries initiatives that incorporated nature helped build relationships with staff and communities
• Engagement is circular and you have to start somewhere, it doesn’t matter if something fails the first time it still has an impact – even if it means starting again
• Data should underpin every activity when it comes to greening your buildings, and its easy to get started, all you need to do is measure your energy usage by dividing KW/h energy use by total floor area of the building

The Green Libraries Partnership is funded by Arts Council England, and supported by Julie’s Bicycle, the British Library, and Libraries Connected.

Green libraries is a movement, that connects local authorities with their communities to really use libraries’ unique position to raise awareness, educate, and spur climate action.

The Green Libraries Conference was chaired by Emma Noyce, Chair of the Green Libraries Partnership, and Assistant Director - Regeneration and Growth (Culture and Communities) at Hampshire County Council.

The keynote speech was by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, Minister for Arts and Heritage.

Click here For a full list of speakers, panels and resources including videos, presentations and more.