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First Green Libraries Conference - March 2023

CILIP’s first Green Libraries Conference took place on 24 March 2023 and showcased over a year of sustainable and attainable green projects and initiatives.

Over 100 delegates representing libraries and local government came together at the Wellcome Collection in London to discuss the unique position libraries hold in educating, raising awareness and taking action on the environment.

The conference in Video

Green Libraries Partnership Phase 1 activities and insights (session 1 of the conference)

• Talk 1: Update on Green Libraries Partnership Phase 1 activities (Emma Noyce, Chair of the GLP) – 0:00-22:45
• Talk 2: Green Libraries Partnership - what insights have we gained? (Claire Buckley, Environmental Sustainability Consultant, Julie’s Bicycle) – 22:45-37:50
• Talk 3: Talk 3: Arts Green Book (Paddy Dillon, Director, Renew Culture Ltd) – 37:50 - end of video

Taking positive action for the planet (session 2 of the conference)

• Talk 1: Green Libraries, presented by Ayub Khan (Warwickshire Libraries) – 0:00-14:20
• Talk 2: Nature Moments, presented by Cordelia Spalding (Natural England) – 14:20-27:45
• Talk 3: Three themes for a Green Library, presented by Colin Jackson (Hampshire County Council Property Services) – 27:45-34:21
• Panel discussion and audience Q&A – 34-21 - end of the video

Engaging communities for a green and just transition (session 3 of the conference)

• Talk 1: Melissa Matthews (Suffolk Libraries) – 0:00-11:20
• Talk 2: Ellie Booth (Inspire: Culture Learning and Libraries) - 11:20-19:41
• Talk 3: Bees in Barnsley, presented by Emma Tweed (Barnsley Libraries) – 19:41-25:37
• Panel discussion and audience Q&A – 25:37 - end of the video

Keynote speech by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, Minister for Arts and Heritage (session 4 of the conference)

Take action and get involved! (Session 6 of the conference)

Get involved in the Green Libraries Partnership

The first step is the easiest, and you can do it straight away, sign the Green Libraries Manifesto

Downloads and content from the conference

• Watch the video of Poet Ian McMillan reading his poem dedicated to green libraries
• Download and view the full conference programme
• Download and view a high res version of Karl Millett's drawing summarising the conference
• Download and view presentation slides
• Session 1 - Introduction by Emma Noyce, Chair Green Libraries Partnership
• Session 1 - Phase 1 Insights by Claire Buckley, Julie’s Bicycle
• Session 1 - Arts Green Book by Paddy Dillon, Theatres Trust
• Session 2 - Three Themes by Colin Jackson, Hampshire County Council
• Session 2 - Green Libraries by Ayub Khan, Designing Libraries
• Session 2 - Nature Moments by Cordelia Spalding, Natural England
• Session 3 - Project LOGGS by Eleanor Booth, Inspire Midlands
• Session 3 - Green Libraries by Melissa Matthews, Suffolk Libraries
• Session 3 - Inspire by Emma Tweed, Barnsley Libraries (video)

Blogs and Conference write-ups

Libraries and the Climate Crisis: Read a blog post on the key takeaways from the conference by Irene Szmelter

Action, Inspiration and Insight at Inaugural Green Libraries Conference: Conference Highlights from CILIP

Conclusions and Actions Points

The Green Libraries Initiative is about action as much as it is about dialogue. At the end of the conference we asked delegates about what they want to do and see next from the projects

Funders

Does your organisation provide funding for green projects? Would you like to find out more how to support the Green Libraries Partnership?

Send an email to Rabeea Arif and get in touch, we'd love to hear from you.