Green library in Karlovac
A case study of the Public Library “Ivan Goran Kovačić” Karlovac
Green library – a case study of the Public Library “Ivan Goran Kovačić” Karlovac”. Public libraries are often examples of good green practice in their community, connecting the traditional role of a library as an informational, educational, and cultural center of the community with global efforts towards sustainable development. Based on the principle of reuse, libraries have a long tradition of ecological sustainability. Green practices such as reducing energy consumption, recycling, reuse, minimizing pollution and waste, certainly contribute to sustainable development. The Public Library “Ivan Goran Kovačić” Karlovac provides its services in an energy-efficient building surrounded by green spaces. By organizing numerous eco-events, the library improves the situation in the local community, and by introducing green business practices, it improves the quality of stay for both users and employees.
The Karlovac library aims to be a green leader and an environmental guardian in the local community, playing a proactive role in green practices. For this purpose, strategic documents have been developed so that activities do not become random and inconsistent with the overall objectives and resources of the organization. The Karlovac library as a “green library” works on the ecological awareness of employees and users and the entire community. Several ways of achieving this are emphasized: increasing energy independence; developing an organizational culture that applies the concept of sustainable development with a focus on environmental impact; implementing “green” projects and programs; selecting and acquiring library materials from the field of sustainable development and environmental protection, and opening a dislocated department called “Green Library”.
The Karlovac library, as the first purpose-built library in Croatia, is an energy-sustainable building. The Karlovac green story has been going on for more than eight years and is intended for all age groups of users, and is achieved through the following programs: a cycle of lectures “Talking Green” on the “green roof” of the library, screening of documentary films, events in public spaces, arrangement of library space and library surroundings, education of children about environmental protection and recycling workshops, borrowing books and workshops in the Library on the Beach at Foginovo beach, and exhibitions. Since 2020, the Library has been organizing the “Green Festival – Karlovac Green Story”, and since 2023, it has been operating a dislocated department called “Green Library” located in the Public Institution Aquatika – Freshwater Aquarium Karlovac. Activities are organized with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of environmental protection and sustainable development, as well as the implementation of the UN Agenda 2030.
Kristina Čunović (Public Library “Ivan Goran Kovačić” Karlovac, Croatia)