Ecology, economy, equity : the path to a carbon-neutral library / Mandy Henk.

Path to a carbon-free library

In recent years, the need to develop a carbon neutral society has become evident. Henk examines what this mean to librarians, in order to lead our communities into a sustainable future.

"In the first book to seriously examine the future of libraries in a climate reality-based context, Henk 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, she 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; and offers a bibliography of additional resources. Written by an activist who is also a working librarian, the book's balance between scientific research and step-by-step action will prove stimulating for library planners, administrators, LIS students, and anyone with an interest in climate change, sustainability, and libraries."-- From publisher.

Chicago : ALA Editions, an imprint of the American Library Association, 2014.

x, 150 pages ; 23 cm

First edition.

Acknolewlegments -- Part I. Transitioning to sustainability in the library -- 1.Librarianship and the three e's -- 2. The case for sustainability in the library -- Making the transition: the first steps -- Part II. Building a sustainable library -- 4. Ecology -- 5. Economy -- 6. Equity -- Part III.Sustainable librarianship in practice -- 7. The challenges of technology and corporate power in the library -- 8. Curbing corporate power -- 9. Resolving the technology dilemma -- 10.Visioning the sustainable library -- Appendix: resources for libraries.

Includes bibliographical references and index.