Greening Libraries – Environmental sustainability through Victorian Public Libraries and beyond
Jac Torres-Gomez, Wyndham City Council, Rachel D’Arcy, Brimbank Libraries, Jessica Anderson, Goulburn Valley Libraries and Jacqueline Auhl, Hume Libraries.
This group of young library professionals met through the Shared Leadership Program. They provided a thoughtful and inspiring account of their work and observations of green activities across Victoria’s public libraries. They have created a vibrant special interest group with 60+ members, sharing information about all things sustainable, while focusing on the practicalities and keeping this information accessible.
They opened with Jane Goodall famously talking about the need to act local if you want to have any positive impact at all. Exemplifying this they produced examples of Victorian Public Libraries bringing sustainable green practises to their members, including:
- Shepparton Libraries ‘s National Tree Day Storytime where each family receives a tree to plant
- Wyndham Seed Library supporting biodiversity and food security through supporting skills in domestic agriculture and seed conservation
- Hume Libraries’ Grasslands Festival where local artists display and sell their work centred on the Evans Street Grasslands nature reserve. Libraries promote related collection items and members receive native grass punnets for planting
The group is eager to hear from any interested persons with ideas. They are also members of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.