Go Green at Norfolk Libraries this Libraries Week

As Libraries Week 2023 approaches, Norfolk residents are being urged to find out all the ways they can go green at their local library.

Norfolk Libraries are celebrating this year's Green Libraries theme by helping residents find all the information they need to make their lives greener and more sustainable in their own communities.

Need some tips on how to waste less and re-use more? Had enough of fast fashion?  Perhaps you're just starting out on growing your own? Norfolk Libraries' specially curated Go Green at the Library collection of books offers plenty of suggestions on how to go a little (or a lot!) greener.

Norfolk's Libraries also have information about Norfolk County Council's wider schemes to help the environment and what they can do: Whether it's becoming a Master Composter, learning more about recycling or getting the skills needed to be Food Savvy.

Residents with green thumbs are also invited to join teams of volunteers who keep the Community Gardens at Great Yarmouth, Attleborough, North Walsham and Holt libraries in top condition. You can join a team of sociable, flexible volunteers whose hard work keeps beautiful spaces open and available to the community at these libraries: to find out more, including how to get involved, email volunteercontact@norfolk.gov.uk

Cllr Margaret Dewsbury, Norfolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Communities, said: "At Norfolk County Council we're committed to reaching net zero and have already cut our emissions by half since 2016/17, but the fact is that protecting the climate involves everyone, not just big organisations.

"Our libraries are incredible hubs for local communities, offering a huge range of services, from traditional book borrowing to support for local businesses, and by focusing on how we can help you go green they can also play a big role in making our county more sustainable and healthier. Just drop by your library this Libraries Week and learn more about what's going on and what you can do in your own community."

These opportunities are all in addition to the chance to browse and borrow from the Norfolk Library Service's full catalogue of thousands of books, eBooks, eMagazines and more. Borrowing books from your local library is the ultimate in sustainability - saving yourself money, shelf-space and being kinder to the planet. Once you've read and returned the books, they can be borrowed by someone else.

Did you know that by borrowing books from Norfolk Libraries you are supporting your favourite authors? The Public Lending Right (PLR) is a scheme that allows authors to be fairly paid for each loan when their work is borrowed through public libraries. The rate per loan is 30.53p so authors can get anything from £1 to a maximum of £6,600. The PLR figures are based on loans data collected from a sample of UK public libraries 1 July - 30 June every year. Norfolk is now a Public Lending Right sample library.