Librarians’ attitudes toward library’s roles in environmental sustainability

Abstract

The library community has been committed to environmental sustainability. The Green Library Movement calls for libraries to green their building, operation, and services. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) calls for libraries to actively contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in which environmental sustainability was one of the three aspects of sustainability in addition to social and economic sustainability. The American Library Association (ALA) has also added sustainability as one of the core values of librarianship. However, previous research identified a gap between librarians’ perceived importance of environmental sustainability and the actual practices adopted in their libraries that contribute to environmental sustainability. This current study focuses on examining librarians’ attitudes toward the roles of libraries in environmental sustainability advocated by IFLA and ALA by surveying librarians from California, Florida, and Georgia identified from the state library association listservs and the individual library websites. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and the Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial analysis. Findings from this study will add to the understanding of the previously identified gap by comprehending the roles that librarians identify with regarding libraries’ contribution to environmental sustainability. The findings will also inform professional organizations on what support their members might need the most in promoting environmental sustainability in society and community. Lastly, the findings could inform curricular development for Library and Information Studies programs interested in preparing librarians with environmental awareness.