Abstract:
PURPOSE – When confronted with a problem where the solution is not clear or obvious, a first step
would be to search for more information, trying to make sense of the problem. The intention of this
contribution is to make sense of the call for “libraries to go green”, while at the same time to show the
potential of explicitly considering information behaviour and the need to draw on the full spectrum of
information literacy skills (e.g. recognising and expressing an information need, seeking, using, and
disseminating information) to stimulate librarians’ interest and confidence in taking on the challenge
of going green and making a difference.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH – The column will be written against the background of research
from information literacy, information behaviour, and research on sustainable and environmental
friendly library and information (LIS) services.
FINDINGS – Although rather a limited number, publications on “going green” and the “paperless”
library/society address a variety of issues ranging from planning “green” library buildings, to
assessing the experiences of LIS professionals in developing sustainable “green libraries”, to
information behaviour in using e-books in academic contexts. Considering the finding and use of
information on “going green”, from an information behaviour perspective, helps to bring many issues
to consider in furthering research on “going green” to the front.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE – Although much has been published about information behaviour and
information literacy, and although attempts of publishing on various issues of “green” libraries are
noted, the author is not aware of other work aligning these issues.
