Sustainability in the SDSU Library

Vision

The SDSU Library Sustainability Committee is committed to reducing the impact of the SDSU Library on the environment and embracing sustainability as a core value of librarianship. We strive to be an example of environmentally sound practices for our community, promoting education, reducing our carbon footprint, and fostering social equity.

Mission

The mission of the SDSU Library Sustainability Committee is to encourage sustainability in the Library community - focusing on social equity, environmental stewardship, and economic feasibility in all that we do through education awareness.

Charge

The SDSU Library Sustainability Committee is a grassroots effort and is comprised of volunteers (library employees) who actively want to make a difference regarding sustainability. Sustainability is part of our strategic plan, and is a core value of ALA. As such, the Green Team was formed to focus on sustainability within the SDSU library. Since we are centrally located on campus, we have the potential to bring awareness to sustainability issues that we face, and provide education to our community. Sustainability not only comprises environmental practices, but also focuses on social equity and financial feasibility. To fully understand where we are regarding sustainability as a library, we are doing a benchmarking certification - the Sustainable Libraries Initiative Certification Program (SLCP). This certification program was approved by the Research and Awards Committee, and has been approved and is being funded by Library Administration. This certification will help us to understand where our strengths are and where we have challenges that we need to work on.

As an advisory committee to the SDSU Library this committee will

• Develop and recommend sustainability policies, institutional practices, and comprehensive strategies to promote sustainability within the SDSU Library, including but not limited to water, energy and waste management
• Promote sustainability in the SDSU Library through collaborations with various Library programs
• Educate the Library community, using various communication avenues, about sustainability topics and promoting sustainable practices within the Library
• Collaborate with campus and community groups to share information and best practices related to sustainability, including but not limited to DEI initiatives.