From Information Literacy to Green Literacy: Training Librarians as Trainers for Sustainability Literacy

Abstract

Introduction: It is obvious that libraries as education partners play an active role in society. Since the advent of the Green Library Movement, their commitment to sustainability has become more and more visible. With IFLA’s adaption of the UN 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and IFLA’s “Global Vision of a strong and united library field powering literate informed and participative societies” libraries are called to take action and to initiate the change that is urgently needed facing global challenges like climate change, poverty, hunger, gender equality etc. Objectives: Libraries should use their positive image to set a precedent through their various service strategies. In the context of teaching information literacy, libraries have already taken over multiple responsibilities. However, as important agencies for providing information, they must address more than information literacy and should take over the responsibility to teach green literacy in response to dramatic climate change and growing ecological awareness. Approach: The paper aims to encourage teaching as well as practicing librarians to move from teaching information literacy to trainers for sustainability literacy. The paper addresses considerations, resources, and some best practice examples for how to achieve sustainable literacy that meets the urgent challenges of our time. Conclusion: Both academic as well as public libraries are important partners to act as agents for change: “Libraries are the motors for change” – as the current IFLA President Gloria Perez-Salmeron claimed. The United Nations 2030 Agenda’s overall goal is “Transforming our world”. Moving forward from teaching information literacy to educating sustainability literacy that touches any and every circumstances of life seems to be the libraries’ meaningful contribution to help achieve the Agenda 2030 goals.

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