Libraries Week takes place every year in the first week of October to celebrate the important role that libraries play throughout the UK. This year’s focus was sustainability, and how libraries are championing the push for net zero.

Throughout our Living Knowledge Network, libraries across the country have implemented a wide variety of green schemes in their local communities, doing their part to mitigate climate change. We celebrated them on our LinkedIn and Instagram throughout the week, and have compiled all five posts here. Read on to discover how five different local libraries are contributing in their own creative ways to the protection of our planet.

 

Library of Things

Did you know, in many libraries, you can borrow a drill along with your books? This photo shows a hub at Kilburn Library which allows people to borrow useful items - whether you need a sewing machine, a trolley or some secateurs.

The goal of Library of Things is to provide affordable access to tools, reduce waste and bring the community together. Since 2014 they have been driving the transition to low waste, community-powered neighbourhoods and now have 16 locations.

You can currently find Library of Things in public libraries across London with more sites outside the capital opening in future. Similar schemes can be found all over the world, so make sure to keep an eye out for 'things' when visiting your local library.

Find out more on the Library of Things website.

 

Cambridge & New York postcard exchange

'Late summer, early autumn...cool dawns and dusks. Intense skies. A hare in a field, a jay in a tree, fallen apples and blackberries.'

Pictured is one of a selection of postcards exchanged over the course of a year between two women: Judy from the Bronx, USA, and Abigail from Cambridge, UK.

They are part of the Nature Exchange project, led by Cambridge University Library, Cambridgeshire Libraries and New York Public Libraries. This project celebrated the global letter network established by Charles Darwin, who exchanged letters with over 2,000 people all over the globe, seeking their observations of the natural world.

In this project, participants in the UK and the US were invited to exchange observations of nature, just like Darwin’s correspondents did.

Members of New York Public Libraries and Cambridgeshire Libraries were paired up offering an opportunity to exchange a postcard every two months, sharing seasonal changes and notes about the natural world around them. 

 

Glasgow Business & IP Centre

Ever dreamt of starting your own business?

Our Business and IP Centre (BIPC) network supports entrepreneurs and innovators from that first spark of inspiration to successfully launching and growing a business, with 21 national network centres across the UK including a site at The Mitchell Library in Glasgow.

The Glasgow BIPC run Learning Lunches offering anyone who is interested in starting or currently running a business an introduction to business topics in a friendly setting. As part of this series they have been exploring how entrepreneurs and consumers can effectively reduce their impact on the planet.

Whether business owners want to understand legislation and support available, find ways to reduce and assess their environmental impact, or research the latest trends and innovation around sustainability, the Glasgow BIPC are helping to create more sustainable start-ups.

Find out more on the Glasgow BIPC website.

 

Wakefield Libraries

Last year, Wakefield libraries set out to encourage sustainable transport usage across the city, thanks to a CILIP Green Libraries Grant supporting environmental activity in public libraries.

They set up cycle repair hubs across all 12 of their branches, helping local people maintain their bikes in an affordable and sustainable way.

Wakefield libraries are creating even more environmental projects across the service, including seed libraries, an e-waste recycling programme, and community gardens at their branches.

Watch Chris Williams, Senior Library Officer at Wakefield Libraries, discuss their environmental schemes.

 

Swiss Cottage Library, Camden

Swiss Cottage Library is a Grade II listed building designed by Sir Basil Spence and opened in 1964. It's often seen as an iconic piece of London post-war architecture, but due to its age, it had become one of Camden council's biggest users of energy.

Thanks to funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, the building was retrofitted with new energy efficient windows, insulation, lighting and heat pumps to become more sustainable. This led to a large reduction in carbon emissions, and has future-proofed the library while still retaining the unique architectural character of the building.

It's also formed a key part of Camden's plans to become net zero by 2030.

 

Following our launch to the libraries sector earlier this year, we’re releasing an updated version of the LibraryOn website for everyone to explore.

It’s part of a wider programme of work to enhance the online profile, discoverability and digital capabilities of libraries, funded by Arts Council England. You can read more on the journey so far.

Our new website celebrates public libraries and highlights what they offer – helping more people to discover what their local library offers in person or to browse and access services online. New content showcases how libraries support communities and learning, and provide services such as hosting reading groups, access to digital devices, Wi-Fi and flexible spaces for study, work and enjoyment.

LibraryOn functionality, the libarayfinder app.

Over the last six months, we have made rapid progress in developing the first comprehensive easy-to-access listing of public libraries in England, searchable via your postcode. We’re also currently testing the option for browsing library catalogues to offer a smoother experience, particularly for those new to libraries.

Our ambition is to provide a one-stop-shop that inspires and provides practical and easy ways for more people to access free services provided by libraries in a world where digital information and services are now the norm, while also sharing how libraries are providing a lifeline for many people facing challenges from the cost of living to accessing the internet and digital devices.   

The release will be supported by a national campaign to promote the new site to encourage people, particularly those who do not normally use libraries, to visit LibraryOn to find their local library and a preview of what services they can use. 

To deliver this programme, we now have a full new multidisciplinary digital team of 13 staff in post, including experts on content creation, product and technical development, interaction design and grant management. The first of its kind at the British Library, the team embeds a digital-first approach, where the focus is on meeting users’ needs through ongoing testing and development.

LibraryOn has also provided direct support to library services across the country by awarding £1.09m of funding to 27 successful digital projects (reaching 900 individual libraries) from public libraries across England. The projects are now coming together regularly for a Community of Practice, in which they share learning and insights, and plans are also underway for a digital symposium for libraries on 1 March.

Over the next six months, the build of the national digital platform and the local grants will continue to further develop and link with other strategic initiatives. Funded by Arts Council England, the LibraryOn programme also complements wider government strategy for libraries, and contributes to the delivery of ‘Knowledge Matters’, the British Library’s 10-year strategy.

LibraryOn is very excited to launch a second grants programme for library services, following the success and high demand from the first round of grants.

Funded by Arts Council England, the programme will support activity that enables libraries to upgrade their digital resources, with the aim of enabling more people to find and access services provided by libraries. We welcome applications for projects under the four headings:

• Library apps
• On-line registration to join the library and/or event registration
• Virtual tours
• Upgrades and improvements to Library Management Systems.

The fund opens on Wednesday 4th October, and will close for applications on Wednesday 1st November. We have a budget of up to £500,000 and expect to make between 15 and 20 awards.

Applications can be for between £10,000 and £30,000 and activity must be delivered between November 2023 and March 2024.
Services that applied to round one are also very welcome to apply to this round.

We acknowledge that the delivery time for projects is short. We would expect projects that are ready to go and deliverable within the timeframe would be well placed to apply.

To apply, head to the LibraryOn website for more details.