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ALIA Sustainable Libraries [sustain]

The ALIA Sustainable Libraries Group has been established to inform & educate colleagues on issues of sustainability. The group will support and promote research and professional development, and increase the awareness of environmental concerns amongst library staff. The group also seeks to enhance and promote documentary resources connected to sustainability.

Scope
Sustainability covers three key areas; environmental, social and financial. To be sustainable is to meet the needs of today's society in a way that doesn't harm the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The consumption of finite resources and sustainable development are key concerns of society and therefore of libraries. The Sustainable Libraries Group will focus on the key areas of sustainability as applicable to the operation of libraries.

Goals
The aims of the Sustainable Libraries Group are to:

Inform and educate our colleagues and also support and promote best practice
Support and promote research and professional development
Increase the awareness of environmental concerns amongst library staff
Enhance and promote documentary resources and library services connected to sustainability (development of collections on environmental themes, exhibitions, outreach, etc.)
Consider the effects of climate change on libraries (modification of the conditions of storage and preservation, building insulation, impacts on library finances and management,…).
Share information and ideas about the application of environment-friendly practices in libraries, or transferable to libraries (recovery of rain water, power supply from renewable energies, control of printings, resource recovery).
Sustainable collection development, including sourcing materials from Australian publishers and subscribing to digital collections such as eBooks.
The proposal of environmental recommendations to the profession, including retro fitting existing libraries
Foster co-operation, collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and ideas relating to sustainable practices amongst library staff from libraries across the country.

Expressions of Interest for new Group Committee Members

The Sustainable Libraries Group is seeking Expressions of Interest for expected vacancies arising within the Group in the next few months. The main role of the Group is to foster interest in environmental and sustainable issues in the library/information community. The key responsibilities applicants should consider are:

Be able to give volunteer time to find and contribute content for the facebook and twitter accounts
Write or assist in writing one article per year on sustainability for InCite
Be available for meetings via teleconference and on some occasions face-to-face

To apply for a position please submit a short statement (100-250 words) outlining your interest in and suitability for the Group and a brief CV outlining your experience to the Chair of the Group, Katie Hannan katie [AT] lost [dot] net [dot] au

You are also welcome to contact us to ask any questions or discuss the role of the Group

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