Libraries and cultures at the Gemenc region

Abstract

The Gyula Illyés Library from Szekszárd was the fourth library in Hungary to be awarded the title of Green Library in the 2023 competition of the ENSULIB (Environmental Sustainability and Libraries) section of the IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations). We came second behind the library of Medellín, Colombia, in the best green library category. At the invitation of the Section, I was invited to present an abstract of our application at the IFLA Annual Congress in Rotterdam on 23 August.1 It has been a long road to get here. The first idea of greening in the county library, in a cramped building and with a serious lack of space, was not an unanimous success. The unfavourable conditions, the Covid-19 epidemic, the closures, the postponement of the construction of the Szekszárd Knowledge Centre and other negative external factors did not dampen the creative energies that had been released during the feverish work. After the introduction of new services, the development of new partnerships, the establishment of the core library, the adoption of the green library strategy, the launch of the green library networking, the preparation of the move to the Knowledge Centre, the IFLA application was written, while major changes in the library's staff were made. With the IFLA Green Library title and the move to the Knowledge Centre, a new chapter in the life of the library is opening.

We believe that the environmental crisis, climate change, affects everyone. As opinion-forming institutions, libraries have both a responsibility and an opportunity to prepare their communities for the inevitable changes. Libraries can help to develop an eco-conscious attitude. I think this insight has been the driving force behind our green library activities over the last three years.