The National and University Library (NUL) in Zagreb has an environmental project with the slogan, “Green Library for Green Croatia.” In cooperation with the Croatian Library Association / Working Group for Green Libraries, the NUL arranged the first Green Library Conference which was held in Zagreb 8-10 November 2018. During two days, participants discussed diverse subjects such as library architecture, digital collections and environmental work in school libraries. The message was clear: there must be an environmental focus in whatever we do in libraries.

ENSULIB members were well represented. Keynote speaker Petra Hauke (Berlin, Germany) introduced how libraries around the world have answered the UN’s Agenda for Sustainable Development. Keynote speaker and Convener Harri Sahavirta (Helsinki, Finland) attempted to answer the question “Why is it so difficult for libraries to be sustainable?” Invited speaker Philippe Colomb (Paris, France) scrutinized how to increase librarians’ environmental awareness. Finally, Andrea Kaufmann (Berlin, Germany) introduced the Green Library Network in Germany.

ENSULIB wishes to thank the organizers of this first Green Library Conference which showed that there is critical need and an abundance of interest in green libraries around the world. The conference had participants from all over Europe and, for example, from India, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Galapagos Islands (Ecuador).

A Croatian report with a series of photos is available. 

letsgogreen_knjiznica-1

Presentations of the conference are forthcoming. 

Harri Sahavirta

17 Nov 2018