Navigating Institutional Landscapes: Grassroots Sustainability in Library Contexts

Abstract

Like many institutions and organizations, libraries face complications stemming from the different values of formal administration and the individuals doing the work. Sustainability and climate crisis work is one area where these conflicting priorities can come into play. Administrative leaders often have their own agenda, goals and actions; they shift to a new institution and with that, values, actions and services shift in tandem, directly affecting individuals' work and organizational culture. This article provides a brief history of sustainability work in libraries, explores the complications of conventional management, and offers alternative examples of grassroots leadership for climate action work in libraries.