Efforts that Extend Past the Pages: How Libraries are Fostering Eco-Friendly Habits
Environmental consideration is becoming more popular as concerns surrounding climate change rise, with two-thirds of respondents reportedly “willing to make personal compromises to their lifestyles for the benefit of the environment,” revealed one Environmental Policies and Individual Behavior Change (EPIC) survey that spanned over 17,000 households across nine countries.
While heading to the library alone is a great place to start, libraries around the world have made great strides in promoting environmental literacy across the board. From the unique initiatives designed to help patrons read more to the many clubs to be found, the benefit of the library extends far beyond the pages within.
Promoting green reading in unique ways
Reading is a great way to reduce stress, enhance memory, and entertain oneself (to highlight just a few benefits). When coupled with the library, patrons can indulge in the healthy habit in a way that is environmentally conscious — not to mention the cost savings involved. However, not everyone has found the time to pick up a book.
One YouGov survey revealed that 40% of Britons actually haven’t read (or listened to) a single book in the prior 12 months. The decline in avid readers can be found across the pond as well — 23% of American adults report that they “haven read a book in whole or in part in the past year,” a 2021 Pew Research Center survey unveiled. This included print, audio, or e-book forms, further underlining the number of individuals who haven’t found their nose in a book for some time.
Encouraging individuals to head to their local library and pick out their next read can be a challenging task, especially for those who are unable to get out and about. One unique eco-friendly solution can be found in Southampton, in which a late 2024 BBC article by Rose Lyle details a unique free home delivery service funded by Solent Future Transport Zone, which works to bring library books to the doors of patrons.
The delivery system becomes even more eco-friendly when considering the fact that it utilizes e-bikes in order to carry out the convenient service. The BBC article goes on to cite the words of Lorna Fielker, city council leader, who remarks: “The fantastic, hassle-free green service means that everyone can enjoy all that our award-winning libraries have to offer.”
Getting the kids involved
The local library already serves as a fountain of knowledge, enabling patrons to check out a book and learn about any subject — including the environment. For parents, finding children’s books about a specific subject doesn’t have to be a challenge, especially with dedicated online resources that can help discover new reads.
Innovative online search engines can help discover the perfect book(s) for families who want to learn more about the environment together, and can help curate a list to take to the library. Beyond eco-friendly reads, libraries help younger patrons learn about the environment in other ways as well, especially when it comes to a hands-on and interactive approach.
In New York, one Publishers Weekly post by Patricia J. Murphy highlights youth librarian Rose Kelly-Lyons, who aims to teach patrons about the environment through nature. This involves spending time in the outdoor atrium garden, which is adjacent to the Queens’ Baisley Public Library children’s department.
Kelly-Lyons notes that the kids learn about how a seed grows into a plant, as well as all about a garden’s needs. Beyond dedicated librarians, unique library events can further underline the value that the library has for younger patrons.
Many libraries, for example, offer themed storytimes (for Earth Day, this may include an eco-friendly title), or even dedicated nature or garden clubs. In California, the Oceanside Public Library is a great example of a public library that teaches about the environment through different beans, dubbed the ‘Cool Beans Club,’ a 2025 KPBS article by education reporter Katie Anastas highlights. In addition to teaching the kids about plant life and the environment, those in attendance also learn about different cultures — and healthy eating.
Beyond the books — libraries pioneering e-waste initiatives
The local library has long been a hub for those who need to complete online research or other computer work in addition to printing services and beyond. However, many may not realize that many libraries have come a long way in pioneering eco-friendly electronic waste (e-waste) initiatives, too.
E-waste is a term that refers to what remains when an electronic device is no longer serving its purpose (think old phones, computers, etc.), and has become a significant environmental concern as the world becomes more and more connected and reliant on their devices.
According to Electropages, e-waste has amassed to “62 million metric tons annually,” on a worldwide scale, and the figure continues to rise. Beyond the stark reality of e-waste and its prominence, however, not much of it ends up properly recycled — Electropages notes that in the United States alone, just 17.4% is recycled. On the other hand, the remainder (82.6%) unfortunately makes its way to landfills.
Through hosting initiatives, libraries are working to make a positive change in the realm of e-waste. The Daily American highlights two libraries in Pennsylvania’s Somerset County, which were set to host electronic recycling events in May of this year.
These events presented an opportunity for locals to recycle a variety of items, from laptops and computers to TVs and other electronics. The Windber Public Library and JVS Environmental event took place on May 3rd, while the Meyersdale Public Library and JVS Environmental held their event on May 10th.
While some items required a fee in order to accept and recycle, many were accepted without cost. A similar event took place last August at the Chicago Ridge Public Library. Serving as a great option for the community to properly dispose of unwanted electronics, such events are common throughout the U.S., and for many libraries are nothing new.
Libraries around the world have long been pinnacles of eco-friendly practices, with the concept of book-borrowing alone serving as a great way to lead a greener lifestyle. Beyond the pages within, however, libraries have pioneered environmental literacy through unique efforts from clubs to hosting recycling events and beyond.