Built to succeed: sustainable learning environment at UC Merced Library
| Published date | 14 March 2017 |
| Pages | 175-180 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-01-2017-0003 |
| Date | 14 March 2017 |
| Author | Haipeng Li |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion |
Built to succeed: sustainable
learning environment at UC
Merced Library
Haipeng Li
University of California, Merced, California, USA
Abstract
Purpose –The purposeof this paper is to explore thesustainable learning environmentat UC Merced Library.
Design/methodology/approach –Case study.
Findings –The Library is built to support active and constructive learning through its sustainable design as
an open, collaborative, and welcoming learning environment and it has become a sustainable environment
that supports sustainable learning for the future.
Originality/value –As the first new research university campus of the twenty-first Century in America,
University of California, Merced (UC Merced), from its very beginning, has embraced principles of a green
campus from ground up –sustainable economic, social, and environmental systems that preserve the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs.
Keywords ALA, Academic libraries, Librarianship, Library management, IFLA, University library
Paper type Case study
Libraries and library associations throughout the world are at th e forefront in advocating
and promoting sustainable learning environments to support the communities they serve.
Several library associations are leading these efforts, including the International Federation of
Library Associations (IFLA), and the American Library Association (ALA). IFL A (2002) issued
its Statement on Libraries and Sustainable Development in 2002, which aims at ensuring a
sustainable healthy environment for people, IFLA’s commitment to sustainable development,
and sustainable freedom to access information (IFLA). The American Library Association
Sustainability Round Table (SustainRT) was founded in 2013, with the goal of creating
“a venue in which (ALA) members exchange ideas and opportunities regarding sustainability
in order to move toward a more equitable, healthy and economically viable society”
(ALA SustainRT). The article co-authored by Maria Ann a Jankowska and James W. Marcum
identifies four major areas of library sustainability: “sustainability of scholarship and
collections; green library operations and practices; green library building; and measuring and
improving sustainability”( Jankowska and Marcum, 2010). Libraries have made and are
making progress in designing and redesigning their facilities and environments to be
sustainable and yet, are also challenged particularly by the technological and digital advances
currently and in the future (Plate 1).
As the first new research university campus of the twenty-first Century in America,
University of California, Merced (UC Merced), from its very beginning, has embraced
principles of a green campus from ground up –sustainable economic, social, and
environmental systems that preserve the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs. The University currently has diverse and coordinated curricula of more than
30 sustainability-focused courses. Seminars in the curriculum address sustainability issues
that are unique to the local community. The goal is to build an integrated research and
education program on ecological systems, energy, water, and other natural resources, and
climate change. For example, the Sustainability Minor courses allow students in areas of
chemistry, biology, earth sciences, social sciences, and other fields to focus on the theory and
practice of the natural environment and the challenges it faces. These courses draw faculty
Library Management
Vol. 38 No. 2/3, 2017
pp. 175-180
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-01-2017-0003
Received 6 January 2017
Revised 6 January 2017
Accepted 7 January 2017
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
175
Sustainable
learning
environment
To continue reading
Request your trial