With 15,500 equipment and 93 million admissions in 2021, libraries and media libraries constitute the first local cultural network in France. A major cultural actor for whom ecological transition issues are realities of their daily functioning, but also, a formidable field of learning, dialogue and exchange for citizens. From buildings to cultural mediation, what ecological turning point for libraries?
Manufacturing, buildings, transport, digital… As public services, but also as central actors in the book and reading chain, libraries have a role to play in the ecological transition. On the occasion of a day of study on 12 December 2023, the association of librarians of France (ABF) and the Public information library (Bpi) highlighted the diversity of issues they face: sustainability of collections, energy consumption, digital sobriety, etc. Themes that the Ministry of Culture and structures are seizing to initiate the transition of the sector.
The environmental impact of libraries
The libraries present usual emission stations (energy, transport) but also specificities. Indeed, their operation is inherently virtuous in that it allows the pooling of works, greatly reducing the carbon impact of a book: the production and marketing of a book in a library represents about 1.8kg of CO2: the more it is borrowed, the lower the carbon cost per use will be.
However, the pooling of resources also generates other emissions. In this respect, the methods of conservation of structures, in particular plastic covers, can have a significant environmental impact. Experiments are under way in several libraries to study the consequences of removing covers on the life of documents, but also to experiment with new ways of equipping and therefore protecting documents sustainably.
The ecological transition of libraries, from buildings to operations
The Ministry of Culture contributes to the transition of libraries and carries out an important work to connect stakeholders in the sector. In 2023, a concerted effort was initiated on various themes (collections, training, funding, mediation regulations). A first restitution of these works will take place in the first half of 2024. The association of librarians of France (ABF) has also acted in this direction, by creating a commission Green libraries which aims to make librarians aware of transition issues and to support them in their efforts.
More concretely, many libraries have redesigned their operation to limit their ecological impact and spread good practices. The library of Hérouville Saint Clair (Calvados) works to direct its cultural programming and mediation mechanisms towards ecological issues: creation of an “ecology” fund enhanced by furniture designed by a scenographer, shared garden, grainothèque, etc.
Finally, the ecological transition of libraries can also result in a more sober building. As such, the Sud Sauvage media library, inaugurated in 2017 in Saint-Joseph (Reunion) is a model of ecodesign. The project places the environmental dimension at its center, based on the characteristics of its environment: the media library is located in the heart of gardens and relies on a natural ventilation system, promoted by the vegetation of the site which constitutes an island of freshness. The glazed surfaces have also been optimized to ensure natural lighting of the premises. Finally, the architectural project builds on the Creole architecture present in the rest of the city, declining in a contemporary version its main elements.
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