Green Libraries Manifesto

In 2025 we became signatories of the Green Libraries Manifesto, the primary sustainability commitment for libraries in the UK.

Building and Spaces

• The Library’s 2016 refurbishment was the first refurbishment project on campus to target a BREEAM Excellent standard. Both the refurbishment and subsequent extension meet high efficiency standards in line with the University's Estate Strategy.
• Motion sensitive lighting is used to save energy, and energy saving approaches are used by PCs and printers. Recycling facilities are available throughout the building, in both study spaces and library staff offices.
• Working with Facilities we've undertaken work to analyse energy usage in the Library building. During a pilot phase in the 2024 summer vacation period we saved over 26,000 kWh of electricity by adjusting ventilation settings. We are building on this in the 2025-26 academic year by introducing a new range of energy saving measures during our 24-7 opening periods. We aim to save up to 53,000kg of carbon per year, while ensuring that user comfort and experience is unaffected.

Service Delivery

• Procurement is a key area where Scope 3 emissions can be addressed. We are conducting a review of procurement activity, working with the university procurement team and utilising their carbon dashboard. We will engage with vendors around carbon reduction plans, sustainable procurement practices and advocate for engagement with the NETPositive Futures initiative.
• The Library uses both Anybook and Better World Books as book disposal partners. The unneeded books that we send to Anybook and Better World are either resold or recycled.

Education and Engagement

• The Library’s collections provide extensive coverage of sustainability. We facilitate access to databases such as GreenFILE, Environmental Issues Online, ENDS Report and JSTOR Sustainability.
• A new tab of Sustainability resources has been added to all of the Library's Subject Guides for the 2024-25 academic year. See an example on our Business & Management Subject Guide.
• The Library has a key role in promoting and enabling open research at Lancaster. Open research practices have a significant impact on sustainability through ensuring access, transparency and equity for global researchers and enabling collaboration, innovation and empowerment.
• We have developed a collection of sustainability-themed print resources aimed at primary school children to support the Morecambe Bay Curriculum. A set of the collection is held in the Library, and another set is available to loan to schools involved with the initiative.
• The Library has hosted a Little Researchers event as part of the Morecambe Bay Curriculum, where local primary school children presented findings from environmental projects.
• The Library hosts the University's termly Sustainability Knowledge Exchange in our events space. These meetings are where staff and students from across the University gather to discuss various issues related to sustainability and share best-practice ways of working.