Sustainability – it’s everyone’s job

Date08 August 2016
Pages286-297
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/LM-04-2016-0024
Published date08 August 2016
AuthorEdward Spodick
Subject MatterLibrary & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion
Sustainability its
everyones job
Edward Spodick
University Library, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology,
Kowloon City, Hong Kong
Abstract
Purpose Sustainability in building planning is growing in importance, and in the awareness of
designers and users. Focus is mostly on the macro-level of overall building design, with few efforts
targeting micro-level aspects. The purpose of this paper is to explore sustainability issues with regard
to Library buildings, services, and operations using the experience of the Hong Kong University of
Science and Technology (HKUST) Library.
Design/methodology/approach This paper focuses on the design, operation, and maintenance of
the physical infrastructure. It further discusses the impact of changing organizational models on the
sustainability of the facility and environment. Sustainability efforts at HKUST Library provide
examples throughout.
Findings Too often, there is little focus on sustainability efforts beyond the two poles of new
building design and the recycling of consumables. It is also important to position sustainable planning
and design throughout the various Library processes, with an emphasis on issues relating to the
physical building and infrastructure. Having a slogan, like Sustainability Its Our Shared
Responsibilitywill be ineffective without making it part of concrete elements like expected job duties,
and incorporating it as an expected element of process design.
Originality/value The experience of HKUST Library is an exemplar of the growing combined focus
on macro- and micro-sustainability efforts throughout and organization. Changes in management and
operations can lead to notable sustainability benefits, along with an improved learning environment
and an improved standard of facilities quality and care.
Keywords Hong Kong, Sustainability, Learning, Library space, Culture of Sustainability,
Library operations
Paper type Case study
Introduction
Sustainability in building planning is growing in importance, and in the awareness
of designers and users. Focus is mostly on the macro-level of overall building design,
with few efforts targeting micro-level aspects. This case study explores
sustainability issues with regard to Library buildings, services, and operations
using examples from the authors experiences over 25 years at the Hong Kong
University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Library. HKUST Library serves as
an exemplar of the growing combined focus on macro- and micro-sustainability
efforts throughout an organization.
Founded in 1991, the HKUST Library now has a collection of 720,000 print volumes,
290,000 ebooks, 48,000 periodical titles, 285 databases, and 40,000 media items. Its user
population was 13,500 undergraduate and graduate students and 530 faculty members as
of June 2015. The university has had two periods of explosive growth: when it was first
opened and grew from a few 100 postgraduate students to 5,000 students in just three-four
years; and during the past three years, when Hong Kong moved from a three-year to a
four-year undergraduate program with a sudden 30 percent increase in undergraduate
students in one year, shortly followed by large increases in local and overseas postgradute
students. Student enrollment rose from 7,500 in 2011/2012 to 10,000 in 2014/2015
Library Management
Vol. 37 No. 6/7, 2016
pp. 286-297
©Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-04-2016-0024
Received 18 April 2016
Revised 14 May 2016
Accepted 18 May 2016
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
286
LM
37,6/7

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