Carbon Literacy for Libraries Shareable Course
Who is this course for?
The Carbon Literacy for Libraries Shareable Course is aimed at library and information professionals. It may also be relevant to students on library and information courses and to staff from organisations who work closely with libraries.
Course overview
The Carbon Literacy for Libraries Shareable Course is designed to provide librarians with a comprehensive introduction to carbon literacy and empower them to support climate action. It celebrates the sustainable model of libraries and how they can support others to cut carbon emissions.
The course covers:
An introduction to climate science and the impact of climate change.
Climate justice and the benefits of taking action.
The UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The National and International context.
Calculating carbon footprints.
Case studies of how libraries are acting to cut carbon emissions.
Case studies of how libraries can support sustainable communities.
Space to develop your own actions to cut carbon emissions.
Throughout the course you are encouraged to share your own experience and ideas. At the end, you will commit to actions relevant to your organisation. This course has been validated by the Carbon Literacy Project and you can gain carbon literacy certification on completion of the course.
Course format
Carbon Literacy for Libraries can be offered as an online or in-person course. The training is usually delivered as either one full day or as two half-days of training. Sessions are designed to be interactive, with videos to watch, quizzes, and space for discussion.
You'll be asked to watch a one-hour David Attenborough documentary on YouTube before attending.
After completing the course, you will be asked to complete a Participant Evidence Form. On the form you commit to taking two actions to help reduce carbon emissions. The form is submitted to the Carbon Literacy Project who will issue Carbon Literacy Certificates to successful learners. There is a £15 certification fee per learner.
Booking a training session
Staff from the National Library of Scotland and CILIPS organise regular online or in-person training sessions.
Upcoming courses
1.30pm to 5pm on 25 and 26 March (online). Book through Eventbrite
Alternatively, libraries may wish to employ a professional trainer to deliver a dedicated Carbon Literacy for Libraries training session for their staff.
Deliver your own training
Carbon Literacy for Libraries is designed to be shared in a ‘roots and branches’ style. Once certified as Carbon Literate, you can run the course yourself and help to cascade the course.
The complete course materials, including a presentation, trainers notes and handouts for learners, can be obtained from the National Library of Scotland. Email carbonliteracy@nls.uk if you would like to discuss running this course for your organisation.
About the Carbon Literacy Project
The Carbon Literacy Project was born in Manchester in 2013. Its bold vision is to equip everyone with the knowledge, motivation, and skills to act on climate change.
The Trust aims "to advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment".
The Carbon Literacy Project offers everyone a day’s worth of Carbon Literacy learning. This covers: climate change, carbon footprints, how you can do your bit, and why it’s relevant to you and your audience. The Carbon Literacy Project and its partners have developed a growing range of sectoral courses and materials to make it easier to find a course that is relevant to learners and their organisation.
Acknowledgements
Creation of the Carbon Literacy for Libraries Course was made possible by a grant from the CILIPS Research Fund.
The course was developed in partnership with librarians from:
Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd Gwasanaeth Llyfrgell y Brifysgol
Hampshire Libraries
NHS Hampshire Healthcare Library Service
NHS Wales Library Service / Gwasanaeth Llyfrgell Gig Cymru
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
University of Strathclyde