Inspiring investment in our planet ahead of World Earth Day

Published 19th April 2023

Libraries across the country are making long-term commitments to connect communities with the environment to promote understanding and reduce impact. In the run-up to World Earth Day on 22 April, Inspire Nottinghamshire Libraries took their Green Libraries project to the national stage with a presence at CILIP’s, (The Library and Information Association) conference on the topic.

Inspire’s Villages Hubs Project Worker, Ellie Booth was a panellist for the ‘Engaging communities for a green and just transition’ panel, chaired by Luke Burton, Director of Libraries Arts Council England, sharing ideas on empowering communities and the role of libraries in addressing social and environmental justice. Ellie gave a flash talk on our Project LOGGS (Libraries Outdoor Green Garden Spaces), alongside Melissa Mathews from Suffolk Libraries and Emma Tweed from Barnsley Libraries.

Inspire's Health, Safety & Environment Working Group, underpinned by their Sustainability Policy has supported the development of Project LOGGS, a project dedicated to developing environmental understanding and activities in libraries. In August 2022, Inspire was awarded a grant of £2,500 from CILIP through their Green Libraries Partnership with support from Arts Council England and in partnership with British Library, Libraries Connected, and Julie’s Bicycle. The Green Libraries Partnership is developed in response to COP26 and the long-term climate commitments made by libraries and local authorities across England. Project LOGGS was one of CILIPs selected projects, enabling Inspire libraries to demonstrate environmental understanding and action through local partnerships, community engagement activities, and staff, stock, and space interventions.

Inspire who deliver culture, learning, and libraries on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council created two library gardens with outdoor classroom facilities for the development of a high-impact environmental programme of activities in Bilsthorpe and Harworth & Bircotes libraries. By creating library gardens they aim to enhance and support environmental thinking; reinforcing Inspire’s dedication to reducing environmental impact and giving communities space for environmental events and activities. Through our community consultation, we have tailored our library gardens around community needs, so that they not only provide additional space for events, with a particular focus on environmental education but help nurture local communities understanding of living sustainably and restoring the natural world.

I am delighted that we’ve had the opportunity to shine the spotlight on our Green Libraries work on a national stage to help achieve our vision to inspire people to read, learn, enjoy culture – and be green! World Earth Day is encouraging everyone to get inspired, take action and be part of the green revolution and we are excited to make a contribution to investing in our planet through our outdoor spaces.

Peter Gaw, Chief Executive Inspire