Reading Assignment #12

Title: Greening the Library : Collection Development Decisions

Author: Connel, Virginia

URL: Virginia, Connel. “ Greening the Library : Collection Development Decisions”. Endnotes : The Journal of the New Members Round Table (May 2010) ; 1:1. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2011.

Abstract of the article:

Many writers in the library literature have addressed sustainability of the collection with regard to increased prices, user need, and format stability. To this list of concerns librarians should add the environmental impact of the different resources libraries choose. This article considers three facets of collection development: selection of materials whose content informs and assesses green practices; de-selection processes that emphasize reusing and recycling materials; and selection of a material format, specifically print or electronic, that honors the green dictum to reduce the carbon footprint an institution makes. The problem of reducing a library’s carbon footprint is perhaps the most complex and most contentious when it comes to the format of the collection. It is on the issue of print versus electronic resources that the present discussion of environmental sustainability will devote most of its focus.

Three things I learned from my Reading Assignment:

• Communities need libraries and librarians to act as role models for sustainability by providing accurate information on all manner of green topics, from alternative building practices to renewable energy options.
• Nowadays, collection development decisions have great impact on the libraries’ initiative of becoming a green library. This includes selection of materials on green topics and practices, e-selection practices emphasizing reusing and recycling materials, and careful selection of material format.
• Carbon footprint is the emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO₂ as a result of different activities. Publishing of printed materials requires use of energy, starting from the cutting of the trees up to its shipment, therefore leaving large amount of carbon footprint. Likewise, the carbon footprint of e-resources as determined by their electricity use is substantial and growing.

Application / Implication of the new things I learned to my work / to me as a person:

There are many ways for a librarian to be able to take care of the environment. One way is to practice careful decision-making in collection development. As a librarian, I will select materials with topics and contents on going green. I will also observe in the our library the proper de-selection of materials. Lastly, I will encourage the users to maximize the use of our resources.