CILIPS Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland
Navigation Close
Join CILIP
Home>Advocacy/Campaigns>Our Campaigns>#LibrariesAreEssential – Scotland’s Stories>#CILIPSGoGreen – Environmental Resources for Libraries and Librarians

#CILIPSGoGreen – Environmental Resources for Libraries and Librarians

The CILIPSGoGreen logo, showing CILIPS Scotland's library and information professionals in white with a green, purple, yellow and pink wildflower meadow background.

‘If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need,’ observed Cicero in a letter dating from 46 BC, and libraries today are playing an essential role in tackling the climate crisis. Maintaining the momentum of COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, which took place in Glasgow from 31st October-12th November 2021, it has never been more vital for our profession to play its part in encouraging change, combating misinformation about the stark reality of the climate crisis, and embedding sustainable practices into our ways of working.

We designed our #CILIPSGoGreen resource collection to support LIS professionals as we all seek to grow our environmental consciousness, and this work has since evolved into Scotland’s Green Libraries Grant Fund. Please also see the UK-wide Green Libraries Campaign for more on the contribution of librarians, information and knowledge professionals to the sustainability agenda.

All of the links contained in our evolving collections are aimed at providing a diverse selection of relevant resources for further reading and consideration. It is ultimately the responsibility of our members and their organisations to make decisions on their professional practice, based on a wide range of information and underpinned at all times by the CILIP Ethical Framework. We also note that the content of external links may be subject to change without our knowledge, and we encourage our members to please let us know if this ever appears to be the case.

Collection last updated August 2026.

The #CILIPSGoGreen Collection

Taking Root: A two-part podcast to celebrate Green Libraries Week

Scotland’s Green Libraries Gathering 2023

CILIPS Conference Content

Brilliant Blog Posts

  • From libraries inspiring sustainable travel to library-led climate justice and how words can change the world, don’t miss our series of CILIPSGoGreen blog posts for Scotland’s Climate Week 2023.
  • ‘From upcycling and recycling to gardening and allotmenteering, our organisation has sought to care for and connect with nature for over 30 years. In this post we introduce some of the Green Cluster’s work, which focuses on our own environmental impact and on ensuring that women’s work in caring for the environment is documented, celebrated and shared.’ Written by the Glasgow Women’s Library Green Creative Cluster: Gabrielle, Becca, Mary, Jenny and Caroline, this must-read blog post highlights GWL’s inspiring contributions to ecofeminist environmental action. Their inspirational Net-Zero Handbook, a practical plan setting out the changes they will make to reach “operational net zero” at GWL by 2030, is also now live!
  • ‘The purpose of a living wall inside a library can be manifold. Whether it is installed to enhance interior design, to reduce energy costs and the carbon footprint, or to improve patron wellbeing and productivity, a living wall’s environmental impact cannot be overlooked…’ Seeking a creative way to incorporate the natural world into your library design? Check out this blog post by Robert Gordon University 2023 CILIPS placement student Alex Jovanovic.
  • In this fascinating blog, Chris Fleet and Louise Speller from the National Library of Scotland reveal how the Library’s extensive Map Collection can be used to research the reality of climate change, highlighting what libraries can do to promote sustainability in Scotland and beyond.
  • ‘Whether it’s a work of fiction showing life through the eyes of another person to experience a place, an emotion or a situation from a different perspective, or nonfiction, poetry or practical guide books, or even just a place to meet and talk to other people, libraries provide it all…’ Artist and writer Christina Riley shares what her project The Nature Library has taught her about inspiring climate engagement in local communities and why #LibrariesAreEssential to promoting sustainability in Scotland.
  • Meet Baby McBookface, Orkney Library & Archive‘s electric new addition, in this new blog by Simon Brown and Betty Stanger.
  • The climate crisis is literally worldwide, with international cooperation and collaboration key to enacting the systemic changes necessary. CILIPS were delighted to be interviewed for this article by Annika Clemens, written during her time in Glasgow as a COP26 attendee and published in Sweden’s Biblioteksbladet. Click here to read the full piece (translation available!)
  • ‘Libraries have a sustainable principle at their heart and that should be celebrated…’ in this inspiring, thought-provoking video interview, Heather Macnaughton and Bruce Newlands share their sustainability expertise with us. Our conversation explores environmental knowledge exchange, sustainability steps for historic library buildings, the power of the past to inspire the present and much more: watch below or find the full recording with timings here.

  • Don’t miss this video interview with Rowan Lear and Bobbie Winter-Burke from Glasgow Seed Library: sharing insights into the project, its powerful social and environmental impact, and how CILIPS members can harness that inspiration to the benefit of their library communities.

As Greta Thunberg says, ‘you are never too small to make a difference’, and with a membership of 1,200 professionals, every small step taken by a CILIPS member helps to get Scotland where it needs to be in upholding our environmental responsibilities. We’re here to support you throughout and can’t wait to celebrate your successes!

Skip to content