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Sustainability at KIT Library

A topic for academic libraries?

Public and academic libraries have been increasingly involved in the field of sustainability for some time now and are exchanging ideas through the Netzwerk Grüne Bibliothek (Green Library Network). This development was spurred on in 2015 by the UN General Assembly's 2030 Agenda resolution, in which 17 sustainability goals were agreed. These goals relate to both ecological and social aspects, such as providing high-quality education.

Following a strategy workshop in May 2022, the KIT Library decided to focus more on the topic of sustainability and established a working group to which employees could volunteer. The working group met with great interest within the library, so that 11 colleagues are now working together across departments.

Some of the changes and actions already implemented by the working group can be found below under the sustainable offers of the KIT Library. The challenge here lies in the implementation within a large institution such as KIT, as various organizational units are often involved.

The aim of the working group is to find long-term solutions for the entire library and to involve users more closely. If you are interested in an exchange or would like to implement the topic of sustainability in your own library, please get in touch.

KIT

Logo of the working group "Sustainability"

Mitglieder der AG Nachhaltigkeit der KIT-Bibliothek — Members of the working group "Sustainability"

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What sustainable services does KIT Library already offer?

Libraries play an important role sustainable development. They promote free access to information and education for all people. Through the principle of lending and multiple use, they also help to conserve resources. They therefore make an important contribution to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which revolve around the three areas of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental.

Below, we present examples of sustainable services at KIT Library:

Inclusive and free access to education, information, spaces and materials

Provision of information and media in the form of books, magazines, databases and events
Library as a third place: shared use of learning spaces, which also saves energy at home
Lending of technical equipment
Lending of energy cost monitors in the Media Center
3D printing / 3D scanning for the production of spare parts

Sustainable services for users

Reusable cups can be used at the coffee machines
The drinking water dispenser in the KIT-Bibliothek Süd saves plastic bottles
Healthy snack vending machine in the KIT-Bibliothek Süd (supervised by the Studierendenwerk)
Online defect report, so that defects can be reported and repaired more quickly
Energy-saving tips for students
Cooperation Chip Card Federation KA-LIB: Activation of the KIT-Card is possible in other Karlsruhe libraries

Saving paper for more sustainability

E-first strategy in collection building: Electronic versions preferred when purchasing, which means fewer print copies are required
Printouts, such as library account notifications and receipts, are only made when required
(Book) scanner: Scanning instead of copying
Copiers and printers are equipped with environmentally friendly paper

Sustainability in the daily work of KIT Library

Compilation of tips on saving energy and resources for library staff
Contact with publishers to avoid packaging waste
Use of company bicycles
Reusing or selling furniture that is no longer needed instead of disposing of it

Sustainability working group campaigns and networking

Exhibition "Views and insights. Sustainability in the KIT Library" including a plant exchange event for students
KIT Library as excursion destination at the KIT Spring Academy Sustainability 2025 on the topic "Why are educational opportunities important?
Participation of KIT Library staff in the Karlsruher Dreck-weg-Wochen
Presentation of sustainable library services in a social media series
Coffee Lectures on aspects of sustainability
Collaboration and networking with other sustainability initiatives within KIT and in other libraries (Green Library Network)