Green Vision of Libraries: Global Movement and Reflections in Türkiye
Ali KavakThis study examines the global development of the Green Library Movement and its reflections in Türkiye. This green library movement, which emerged in the early 1990s, aims to encourage libraries to adopt environmental, economic and social sustainability. This study examines the historical development of the movement, its basic principles and its international and Turkish practises. Researchers present practical applications of the movement analysing green certification systems and successful examples from around the world. Focusing on the situation in Türkiye, important examples of green libraries such as Rami Library, Uşak Banaz Public Library and Koç University Suna Kıraç Library are evaluated. The information gathered through a comprehensive literature review and qualitative content analysis revealed that green library practises in Türkiye are still in their early stages of development and are still in their infancy when compared to international standards. As a result of our study, recommendations are presented in areas such as policy development, energy management, awareness programmes, collaboration and networking, certification and documentation, green collection development and sustainable logistics to increase the sustainability potential of libraries in Türkiye. By addressing the global and local dimensions of the Green Library Movement, this study reveals the sustainability potential of libraries in Türkiye and aims to provide guidance for future practises.
Kütüphanelerin Yeşil Vizyonu: Küresel Hareket ve Türkiye’deki Yansımaları
Ali KavakBu çalışma, Yeşil Kütüphane Hareketi’nin küresel gelişimini ve Türkiye’deki yansımalarını incelemektedir. 1990’ların başında ortaya çıkan yeşil kütüphane hareketi, kütüphanelerin çevresel, ekonomik ve sosyal sürdürülebilirliği benimsemesini amaçlamaktadır. Çalışmada, hareketin tarihsel gelişimi, temel ilkeleri ile uluslararası ve Türkiye’deki uygulamaları ele alınmıştır. Yeşil sertifikasyon sistemleri ve dünya genelindeki başarılı örnekler incelenerek hareketin pratik uygulamaları sunulmuştur. Türkiye’deki duruma odaklanarak, Rami Kütüphanesi, Uşak Banaz Halk Kütüphanesi ve Koç Üniversitesi Suna Kıraç Kütüphanesi gibi önemli yeşil kütüphane örnekleri değerlendirilmiştir. Kapsamlı bir literatür taraması ve nitel içerik analizi yöntemi kullanılarak elde edilen bilgiler, Türkiye’deki yeşil kütüphane uygulamalarının henüz gelişme aşamasında olduğunu ve uluslararası standartlarla karşılaştırıldığında henüz ilk örneklerinin gelişim gösterdiğini ortaya koymuştur. Çalışmamızın sonucunda, Türkiye’deki kütüphanelerin sürdürülebilirlik potansiyelini artırmak için politika geliştirme, enerji yönetimi, farkındalık programları, işbirliği ve ağ kurma, sertifikasyon ve belgeleme, yeşil koleksiyon geliştirme ve sürdürülebilir lojistik gibi alanlarda öneriler sunulmuştur. Bu çalışma, Yeşil Kütüphane Hareketi’nin küresel ve yerel boyutlarını ele alarak Türkiye’deki kütüphanelerin sürdürülebilirlik konusundaki potansiyelini ortaya koymakta ve gelecekteki uygulamalar için yol gösterici olmayı amaçlamaktadır
This study comprehensively analyzes the development of the Green Library Movement in the global context and its reflections in Türkiye. This movement, which emerged in the early 1990s, is an important initiative that transforms libraries into organisations that embrace environmental, economic and social sustainability. Our article analyzes the historical development of this movement, its basic principles and its applications in international platforms in detail.
The main purpose of our study is to comprehensively examine the development, practises and sustainability policies of the Green Library Movement worldwide, especially in Türkiye. In this context, by analysing the information in the literature and in practise areas related to environmental, economic and social sustainability related to the green library movement, it is aimed to reach conclusions on how libraries in Türkiye can be more effectively involved in this movement.
Methodologically, our study is based on a comprehensive and systematic literature review. Various sources such as academic articles, books, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) guidelines, reports and papers were analysed. In particular, the ‘International Green Library Bibliography’ compiled by the German Green Library Network was analysed in detail. The collected data were analysed using the qualitative content analysis method described by Krippendorff (2018).
In our article, the history and characteristics of the Green Library Movement are discussed in detail. Then, the development of the movement in the international context is analysed, and green certification systems and successful examples of green libraries around the world are presented. These examples demonstrate the practical applications and global impact of the movement.
One of the focal points of our study is the current state of the green library movement in Türkiye. In this context, important examples such as Rami Library, Türkiye’s first sustainable library, the ‘Agro Library’ project of Uşak Banaz Public Library, and Koç University Suna Kıraç Library’s efforts focused on sustainable development goals are analysed in detail. In addition, the green building certification process in Türkiye is also discussed.
The results of our research show that the Green Library Movement has achieved significant success at the international level and has been strongly adopted, especially in North America and Europe. The fact that organisations such as IFLA and the American Library Association (ALA) pay special attention to sustainability plays an important role in encouraging practises in this field. However, it was found that practises in Türkiye show some deficiencies compared to international standards. The green library movement in Türkiye is still in its infancy, and there is a need for more awareness and training programmes in this area.
Considering these findings, our study offers a series of recommendations to improve green library practises in Türkiye. These recommendations include policy development, energy management, awareness programmes, collaboration and networking, certification and documentation, green collection development, sustainable logistics and green supply chain practises, collaboration with community-supported environmental initiatives, integration and use of green library technologies, and sustainability performance reports.
As a result, this paper addresses the global and local dimensions of the Green Library Movement, demonstrates the potential of libraries in Türkiye in terms of sustainability, and aims to provide guidance for future practises. Our study emphasises the contributions that the Green Library Movement can make to librarianship practises in Türkiye and aims to contribute to the dissemination of sustainable librarianship at the national level. In this context, it is suggested that libraries should adopt strategies such as making their environmental sustainability policies more effective, ensuring energy efficiency, raising awareness of environmental sustainability in society, and establishing international co-operation.
This study presents the steps that need to be taken to accelerate the green transformation of libraries in Türkiye and bring them in line with international standards. It also highlights the role of libraries not only as information centres but also as pioneers of social change and sustainable development. For future research, it is recommended to measure the effectiveness of green library practises in Türkiye and to conduct comparative analyzes with international examples.
