Teesside University signs up to libraries green pledge

Teesside University is supporting a green pledge which will bring libraries together to promote the importance of the environment and inspire positive action in local communities.

The Green Libraries Manifesto aims to bring environmental sustainability to the heart of decision-making and allow libraries to innovate and evolve, work with communities and share knowledge and support young people.

Teesside University is demonstrating its commitment to sustainability by singing up to the manifesto during National Libraries Week, which runs from October 2 to 8. A series of activities are also planned at Teesside University to mark national libraries week, hosted across the recently refurbished ground floor of the University’s Library, as well as the Student Life Building.

Rosie Jones, director of Teesside University’s Student and Library Services, said: “By signing this pledge, Teesside University is among a growing number of organisations which understand the importance of putting focus on environmental sustainability in decision making. Libraries occupy a place in the heart of the communities that we serve. By working together, we can have greater impact.”

The Green Libraries Manifesto is hosted by the Library and Information Association (CILIP) in partnership with Arts Council England, British Library, Libraries Connected and Julie’s Bicycle.

Events being held at Teesside University Library during National Libraries Week include stalls to promote volunteering opportunities, details of provision to encourage more staff to cycle to work, information on how to better connect with nature, an exhibition of books related to green issues, and a staff harvest festival.

There will also be library ‘trees’ with sticky leaf notes to leave suggestions in relation to the environment, along with information on Teesside University initiatives to both highlight and improve environmental issues.

Much is already being done by Teesside University’s Student and Library Services to support the aims of the manifesto, from taking a digital-first approach to library collections, to reducing the use of plastic coverings on print library materials, to work with student support services to connect with diverse and under-represented groups and promoting environmental literacy in work with students.

Over the past decade at Teesside University Library, around 6,000 boxes comprising of almost 82,000 items, have gone for ethical disposal which includes resale, recycled or repurposed with any income generated going back into the Library’s book fund to be reinvested in new resources.

Measures already adopted by Teesside University have led to 6,100 cubic metres of water being saved in the past year enough to fill three Olympic sized swimming pools. In addition, 100pc of electricity used by the University comes from green sources, 46 new trees have been planted since August 2022 and over 25 drinking water refills are located across campus to help reduce plastic waste.

Teesside University Library recently underwent a £2.1m refurbishment of the ground floor area, creating open plan collaborative spaces, exhibition space and a large café with an external extension for outdoor dining.

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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