We’re drawing a breath here at the Library, after a busy time taking part in Green Libraries Week (7–13 October).

What took place across the UK?

During a packed week there were over 270 events held in libraries across the UK. They stretched from Orkney’s Public Library, which held a Halloween costume swap to encourage reuse rather than buying new ones, to Falmouth Library in Cornwall, which hosted a range of events covering biodiversity, recycling, energy and the environment.

Green Libraries Week spread across the Irish Channel with events in Northern Ireland and Eire, and to different types of libraries, with university and health trusts taking part as well as lots of local public libraries.

CILIP map showing all the Green Library Week events

Looking for something to read? Take a look at these green reading lists shared by Hampshire and Jersey Libraries.

Want to get informed while you’re on the move? Why not listen to the Green Libraries Week podcast created by CILIPS Scotland?

What took place at the British Library?

During Green Libraries Week we had 11 events, plus blogs and social media. We launched our new sustainability strategy and shared information about our own journey.

On Tuesday our Chief Executive, Sir Roly Keating, chaired a panel event, asking “What is the role of libraries in the face of the climate crisis?”. The panel was made up of Amina Shah, Chief Executive of the National Library of Scotland, Claire Pickering, Library Manager from Wakefield Public Libraries, and Maja Maricevic, who is both our Director of Science and Innovation and also Chair of the Green Libraries Campaign, the sector-wide campaign with the vision of Every library, a green library.

Our Chief Executive, Roly Keating, launching our sustainability strategy at the panel event on the role of libraries in the face of the climate crisis.

Our other events included:

• a sustainable coffee tasting
• a sustainable catering roadshow with our chef Simon and Slow Food UK
• a Green Start-up Stars panel, showcasing four businesses we have helped support who put sustainability at the heart of their business model
• an international webinar on how libraries can collaborate with writers to tell climate stories
• a consultation event with 50 school pupils, to help our Learning team develop a new programme for schools on sustainability and climate change
• sessions for our staff, including a new sustainability induction session, raising awareness.

What is the impact of Green Libraries Week?

Green Libraries Week is all about raising awareness of climate action in really practical ways, while showcasing the very best that libraries have to offer. It shows a whole sector working together to make change.

Being part of Green Libraries Week helps us continue the conversation on climate change with staff and visitors at the Library, and gives us the opportunity to use our voice to amplify the work of others in the sector.