Environmentalist-in-Residence, West Dunbartonshire Libraries

Watch Scotland’s Green Libraries Gathering from 2:59:00 to learn more about West Dunbartonshire Libraries’ Environmentalist-in-Residence, supported by the Green Libraries Scotland Grant Fund.

Inspired by the Toronto Public Library and British Library EnvIR programmes, this project invited environmentalist and Nature Library founder Christina Riley to engage with West Dunbartonshire’s library collections and respond with climate related programmes, campaigns and projects. As Environmentalist-in-Residence, Christina worked with local organisations to create a safe learning environment in Alexandria Library and beyond, where young people have been empowered to lead local climate action.

‘We are really grateful for this opportunity,’ said Eleanor White, Sustainability Coordinator and project lead when funding was granted in 2023. ‘As an increasingly important approach to understanding our place in the world – in a global climate emergency, in one of the most nature depleted countries in the world – we believe that ecological literacy should become integral to all library services, and this project will work to investigate, develop and embed sustainable practices. The EnvIR is fundamentally a creative climate justice project and overall we hope for this progressive and aspirational project to support our young people reach their full potential and become climate leaders.’