Chapter 18: Libraries Are Sustainability Leaders

The library profession must embrace the idea that every job is a climate job, and confront the realities of the wider world through a lens of climate justice, as they prioritize relevant and responsive services and programs. The broad issue of sustainability has permeated the core of library services and is transforming the foundation upon which public libraries build their ideals.

By viewing every job as a climate job, libraries and library workers are true sustainability leaders. The triple bottom line (TBL) framework leads libraries into the realm of sustainable thinking, allowing what once felt overwhelming and unattainable to turn into something powerful and dynamic because of collective impact and the recognition that: local matters, working together matters, focusing on diversity matters, and helping all voices be heard matters. Libraries matter because we continue to work together toward meaningful change.

This chapter explores a unique library certification program centered on sustainability and the TBL framework that allows library workers from public, academic, and school libraries to shine a lens on climate justice and climate action work, through offering innovative programs, collections, and services that also use the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a guide toward making every job a climate job.