A Sustainable Library

Lancaster University declared a climate emergency in 2020 and has an ambitious strategy to achieve a goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2035. As part of the Innovative Sustainable theme of our vision, the Library has explored the ways in which we can play our part in our journey to net zero.

Collaboration has been at the heart of our sustainability efforts. We work closely with the University's sustainability team and with experts in areas such as procurement, facilities and IT. Learning from others has enabled us to reflect on our activity and develop more sustainable approaches.

A quote from Tim Leonard, Associate Director (Space, Experience and Innovation) Lancaster University Library

In the 2025 QS World University Rankings: Sustainability, which measured and compared the sustainable impact of universities worldwide, Lancaster University was ranked 22nd in the UK and joint 68th in the world.

Lancaster scored joint fourth in the world for sustainability governance, awarded for transparent financial reporting, student representation for sustainability at a senior level, and an institution that supports and promotes a holistic and ethical culture. These rankings measured an institution's ability to tackle the world’s greatest environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges.

The Library plays an important role in that governance structure: we work closely with the University’s Sustainability Team, and are a member of the University’s Sustainability Board and Sustainability Steering Group.

This episode of our podcast Talking Around the Library Tree focuses on Lancaster University’s commitment to addressing the climate emergency. Louise Speakman (the Library’s Head of Engagement) speaks to Dr Georgiana Allison (Head of Sustainability) and Tim Leonard (The Library’s Associate Director: Space, Experience and Innovation) about the university’s net zero goals, its sustainability strategy and the role of the Library.

The atrium area of Lancaster University Library, featuring our tree Norma.

A sustainable building

The Library’s 2016 refurbishment was the first refurbishment project on campus to target a BREEAM Excellent standard. Both the refurbishment and subsequent extension meet high environmental standards in line with the university's estates strategy.

Motion sensitive lighting is used throughout the building to save energy, and energy saving approaches are used by PCs and printers. Recycling facilities are available throughout the building, in both study spaces and library staff offices.

In Summer 2024 we undertook a project with Facilities to find further efficiencies. By adjusting the building's ventilation during the summer vacation period we were able to save a significant amount of energy. Between August 2024 and October 2024 we saved over 26,000 kWh of electricity: that's nine times the electricity usage of an average UK household per year!

We're undertaking more work during 2025 to find further operational efficiencies.

Students working at desks in an aisle of books at Lancaster University Library

A sustainable approach to collection management

We actively develop the Library's collections by removing outdated and unused book stock and we work with academic departments to ensure our collections stay up-to-date and relevant to the needs of our users. We donate unused books to Anybook and Better World Books to ensure this is approached in a sustainable manner.

Between November 2023 and November 2024 we sent Anybook over 11,000kg of books. That’s around the weight of 11 small cars! Just under 50% of those books have been recycled, with the rest already resold or catalogued and awaiting sale. Utilising these donation companies helps to save books from going to landfill.

Book lovers can buy preloved books via book Anybook and Better World Books and help to support a circular economy. We also have a book swap trolley in the Learning Zone and we are working on a new book donation and exchange point – look out for news on this later in the year.

Facilitating sustainability-focused events

The Library's hosts the University's termly Sustainability Knowledge Exchange in our events space. The Knowledge Exchange brings together staff and students from across the University, and provides a forum for sharing sustainability-focused initiatives and best practice.

We’ve also hosted a range of other sustainability-focused events in the Library. We’ve hosted Sewing Café Lancaster in the past and have just launched our new Stitch Club. Do you like to knit, sew, crochet, mend, patch, quilt and generally have fun with pointy needles? Come along every Thursday at 6pm to the Library Events Space to be creative, sustainable, learn new skills and meet like minded crafters.

Do you want to run a sustainability-focused event in the Library? We seek opportunities to partner with others and welcome requests to host exhibitions and events where they align with our Library vision towards 2025.

If you would like to make an inquiry about using library space please complete the event proposal form.

A Sustainability Knowledge Exchange event taking place in the Library events space
A parent reading with their child in the Library

Equality Diversity Inclusivity

Equality Diversity Inclusivity is one of the key themes of the Library vision. Our work in this area aligns with sustainability in it's broadest sense and contributes to the University's activity on the UN Sustainable Development Goals across a range of themes, including No Poverty, Quality Education and Gender Equality.

The library has developed a number of Community Collections of print books to support its partnership with local community groups. These collections are curated with the community, and for the community, providing local people, schools and community groups with the opportunity to loan books and other texts from the library.

In 2024 we launched a dedicated family-friendly study space to support students with caring responsibilities. The enclosed space has been designed for users with children up to 12 years old in mind, to enable parents to work alongside their children.

We have also partnered with diverse groups and communities to provide celebration and recognition events, displays and online resource collections, talks and seminars, film screenings, reading groups and open days.

We've embedded inclusive recruitment practices and have supported institutional submissions for the Race Equality Charter, Athena Swan and University of Sanctuary.

Find out more

You can discover more aspects of the Library's work on our Sustainability page.