The 51cg has a strong commitment to protecting the future of our planet and addressing environmental issues through its projects, research, and investments. To help the University achieve its Sustainable Development Goals and create an environment which focuses more on green issues, The 51cg has signed up to the . This initiative brings libraries together with a shared vision to take environmental action into their own hands and to inspire others to follow their example.
As a direct consequence of joining the CILIP Green Libraries Manifesto, the Green Library Group has been set up by the Directorate of Digital and Information Services to explore and implement sustainability solutions for the library. We aim to provide library users with access to resources on sustainability and climate change, organise events to promote sustainability across campus, and forge relationships with the local community.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Terry Forbes.
Our Green Library Projects
- Displays and activities
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In partnership with Aberdeen City Libraries, we have been hosting displays and activities on sustainability in the library, signposting our users to resources on campus and local organisations interested in sustainability and caring for our environment. We highlight initiatives like and for Old Aberdeen Library also hosted a Bookbug session.
Looking forward, we would like to promote the University’s Sustainable Development Goals. These are closely tied to existing and upcoming research, and the ongoing activities around transport.
- Seed Swap
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In March 2024, a seed swap initiative was launched with community donations. 155 packets of seeds were distributed, making it a resounding success. We aim to relaunch in February each year in time for the sowing season.
- Plants in our Libraries
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Hydroponic Plants in the SDRL Floor 2 at the SDRL has recently undergone extensive refurbishment to meet the needs of our university community. To further improve the aesthetics and ‘well-being’ atmosphere of the floor, we have introduced conservatory plants.
Mark Paterson, Curator at Cruickshank Botanic Garden, has recommended to grow specific plants (initially – Peace Lily, Dracaena and Parlour Palm) using hydroponic methodology. Hydroponically grown plants are significantly easier to sustain in the library as the demands of diligent care for the plants are dramatically reduced compared to standard containerised plants. The absence of soil also reduces exposures to pests and diseases.
We now have a little greenery on SDRL Floor 2! While this is relatively modest (three plants placed around the central atrium) it has been carefully planned. The extent to which these plants thrive in our environment will now be monitored and reviewed to inform any future expansion.
Plants in Medical Library and Taylor Library We also have indoor house plants in Medical Library and Taylor Library. These are not hydroponic plants; they are living in soil and being planted in pots and containers.
- Reading List
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We have created a of titles held by the Aberdeen University Libraries on sustainability. Our plan is to maintain and regularly update the list of titles to reflect on the ever-growing range of resources in this field.
- Transport
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In March 2023, our new, fully electric van arrived to replace the old diesel model. This was the very first e-Van at the 51cg, and the initiative has been driven by the 51cg Libraries. We can claim a leadership role in contributing to the Aberdeen 2040 carbon neutral objective. Chargers have been installed in SDRL loading bay and at the Inverurie store.
- Events Calendar
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2026 January
Buy Nothing New Month
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February
10 February - World Pulses Day
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March
3 March - UN World Wildlife Day
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19-15 March Food Waste Action Week
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April
22 April - International Mother Earth Day
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May
No Mow MayTM
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June
6-14 June - The Great Big Green Week
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July
Plastic Free JulyTM
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August
27 August - World Lake Day
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September
Second Hand September
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October
16 October - World Food Day
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November
26 November - World Sustainable Transport Day
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December
5 December - World Soil Day
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2025 January
26 January – International Day of Clean Energy
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February
17 February – Global Tourism Resilience Day
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March
20/21 March – World Day for Glaciers (2025 International Year of Glaciers Preservation)
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29 March – Earth Hour
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April
22 April – International Mother Earth Day (Earth Day)
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May
21 May – International Tea Day
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June
3 June – World Bicycle Day
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July
Plastic Free July
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August
International Year of Quantum Science and Technology
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September
20 September – 5 October (display from early September) – Climate Week North East
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October
Early October – Green Libraries Week
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14 October – World Migratory Bird Day
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November
26 November – World Sustainable Transport Day
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December
5 December – World Soil Day
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Our Green Library Activities and Events
- Training
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Members of the Green Library Group have already undertaken an online course to learn more about sustainability. The course was designed and provided by Estates of the 51cg. If you want to learn more about this topic and complete the course yourself, university members can find it in the training portal under the title: An Introduction to Sustainability. Please follow the link to the course here: .
One of our group members has developed a workshop on How to Reduce Your Digital Carbon Footprint. 51cg staff and students can access the session slides and some useful links in the of the Digital Skills Hub. If you would like to attend a future occurrence of the workshop, please contact the Digital Skills team to register your interest.
The Open University have a which takes around 45 minutes to complete. It focuses on three topics: Sustainability of Generative AI, Greener online study and Coping with Climate Anxiety.
The National Library of Scotland offers online courses (like Carbon Literacy for Libraries) to empower librarians to support climate action. It celebrates the sustainable model of libraries and advises on how they can support others to cut carbon emissions. Many of us have already undertaken this course to learn how to support sustainable communities - including academic communities.
- Library Textbook Giveaway – Adopt a Book
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Have you ever wondered what happens to all the books the library withdraws from stock, or the books that are donated but not added to our collections? Now, we can share the secret: they end up in our Book & Textbook Giveaway projects.
The University Library has two ‘adopt a book’ events annually: one in September and another one in February. The first Book Giveaway was held in September 2023, where we gave away 990 books to our students. The next year, we handed out 1080 books to library readers and donated 360 books to , a book charity supporting education in developing countries.
This year, we had a big Textbook Giveaway program, where students donated their unwanted textbooks to our libraries, and we gave these textbooks back to the student community.
The event went down really well with those students who were able to reach the trolleys in time! All three library sites participated, and it was a very popular event everywhere. At the Medical Library, we had 4 shelves of donated books which got reduced to about 4 books by the end of the first day! It would be great to think about how we can encourage more donations to meet more demand for next year.
- Green Libraries Week
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27 October – 2 November 2025
Following the success of our plant giveaway last year, librarians at both Taylor Library and Medical Library were busy replanting spider plant babies for our students. Altogether, we had 68 new plants which we distributed among the three sites. Once again, the event was a huge success, with the plants disappearing very quickly from our stalls.
This year, we started something new, too. On 29 October, we offered a training course to our community on How to Reduce your Digital Carbon Footprint. We considered the various impacts of our use of digital technologies and explored practical steps to reduce our own carbon footprint.
Also, we created short videos for the screens across our Library sites to highlight the environmental impact of social media applications. As almost every student uses social media nowadays, we wanted them to think what this means for our environment. We ran different messages (examples below) every day from Monday to Friday.
7-13 October 2024
As part of the celebration, librarians at the Medical Library replanted some spider plant babies from the “Mother” plant as a giveaway to students. There were 6 plants for each site for students to adopt. The event was a great success with all plants being adopted by the end of the day and student feedback was very positive.
We also celebrated Green Libraries Week by creating a new Green Library Board at Taylor Library to advise our students on events and to promote sustainability on campus.
- Eco Wardrobe Giveaway
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In April 2025 we held an Eco Wardrobe Giveaway on the Ground Floor of the Sir Duncan Rice Library. This event was held in collaboration with the to help promote their where they give away lots of items from clothing to kitchen items and stationary.
We focused on a clothes giveaway and filled several tables and clothes racks with clothes.
The event was very popular and lots of clothing was taken up by our students.
