How Are Libraries Sustainable?

You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. No, I’m not talking about a past-relationship I didn’t appreciate – I’m talking about libraries. But I’ve already written about why libraries are the greatest, so now I’m going to write about how they’re sustainable.

Libraries’ community services

It wasn’t until libraries closed during lockdown that I really appreciated their impact on communities. I wanted to go to the library and see what events were happening. I wanted to browse the shelves and see what books were available. The library is where I go to get information (besides online, of course)… but I couldn’t. It was closed.

This meant a lot of other necessary community services were also closed.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Libraries provide more than free books. Did you know that public libraries in Australia meet 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals? No? Neither did I.

But they do.

Below are the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with the ones relating to Australian libraries bolded:

1. No poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Good health and well-being
4. Quality education
5. Gender equality
6. Clean water and sanitation
7. Affordable and clean energy
8. Decent work and economic growth
9. Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
10. Reduced inequalities
11. Sustainable cities and communities
12. Responsible consumption and production
13. Climate action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land
16. Peace, justice, and strong institutions
17. Partnerships

Australian Public Library Alliance

The Australian Public Library Alliance is the peak body for Australian public libraries, with representatives from every state-level library association. In 2009 they discussed how they would approach the UN Sustainable Development Goals during an Australian Library and Information Association Public Libraries Summit.

“Australia’s public libraries, united behind common goals and ambitions, sharing best practice, contributing to strong communities, valued by people and government, continuing to provide universal free access to information, knowledge and ideas, and confirming the importance of their role for future generations.”

Australian Public Library Alliance

Libraries’ sustainability goals

Sustainability is more than ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’. Although, libraries do this too – sharing and borrowing books means fewer are printed, which saves paper. But the Australian Public Library Alliance highlights other ways libraries are sustainable too. Even beyond the UN Sustainable Development Goals!

Here are some more specific goals libraries have set:

• Standards and guidelines for library management to measure performance
• Supporting STEM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics)
• Encouraging reading and literacy for all ages
• Teaching children and members of the community about online safety
• Supporting lobbying and connecting with relevant federal government departments
• Promoting Australian authors and writing prizes
• Considering the future of libraries and institutions in communities
• Running media campaigns to support stakeholders
• Providing professional development for librarians

Make sure you visit the Australian Public Library Alliance to read more about their goals. It’s great to know about the good libraries are doing in communities. Temporarily losing libraries during lockdown was enough for me – may we never lose them for good!