For immediate release | July 15, 2014

The path to a carbon-neutral library

91ý

CHICAGO — The first book to seriously examine the future of libraries in a climate reality-based context, “,” published by , convincingly argues that building a carbon-neutral future for libraries is not only essential but eminently practical. Using the “three E’s” of sustainability (ecology, economy, equity) as a foundation, Mandy Henk traces the development of sustainability from its origins in the 1970s to the present, laying out a path librarians can take at their own institutions to begin the process of building a carbon-neutral library. Rooted in the latest science but firmly focused on concrete action, her book:

  • makes the case for sustainable libraries, tying the values that define the profession to the necessity of rethinking library operations and services in light of climate change;
  • guides readers through the first steps, with advice on starting the conversation, conducting outreach to stakeholders and forming a sustainability committee;
  • includes a Sustainability Assessment and a sample sustainability plan that libraries can tailor for use at their own institution;
  • looks at the challenges of technology and corporate power in the library, addressing the power imbalance between large corporations and libraries and suggesting alternatives to the status quo;
  • discusses how libraries can combine strong advocacy with powerful activism to propel the library world into a socially just, safely powered world;
  • offers a bibliography of additional resources.

A 2011 Library Journal Mover & Shaker and one of the early of the People’s Library at Occupy Wall Street, Henk is a graduate of Simmons College School of Library Science and currently the Access Services Librarian at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. She devotes her time to activism, motherhood, writing and librarianship.

purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide. 91ý Editions publishes resources used worldwide by tens of thousands of library and information professionals to improve programs, build on best practices, develop leadership, and for personal professional development. 91ý authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a growing range of print and electronic formats. Contact us at (800) 545-2433 ext. 5418 or editionsmarketing@ala.org.

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