Surrey County Council is thrilled to announce that Surrey Libraries has been chosen as one of the first of ten libraries across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to become a pioneering Green Library Hub.
This significant initiative is made possible by a substantial grant of £1,215,252 from The National Lottery Community Fund, secured by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). Surrey Libraries will receive £30,000 per year over three years to establish a Green Library Hub in Guildford Library.
The three-year Green Library Hubs programme, set to run from September 2025 to August 2028, is a groundbreaking, community-led climate action project. Led by CILIP in partnership with the British Library, Julie’s Bicycle, and CAG Consulting. The programme aims to establish library spaces to serve as catalysts for community awareness, becoming places where communities can learn, change their habits, and take action to help the environment.
As a Green Library Hub, Guildford Library will:
- Become a community space where people can learn about the environment and attend related events
- Help people understand the climate crisis better by focusing on how it affects our local area and getting everyone involved
- Support and foster partnerships with local schools, and environmental organisations to make a bigger impact
- Train library staff to become more knowledgeable about environmental issues and better able to help the community
The funding will enable Guildford Library to build upon its successful existing Green Library initiatives, such as the Library of Things, Seed Bank, and Energy Advice by delivering a funded programme of activities and outreach to disadvantaged communities surrounding the town. This initiative will also enable further collaboration with external organisations.
Surrey County Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Customer and Communities Denise Turner-Stewart said: “This fantastic National Lottery funding, secured through CILIP’s leadership, is a real boost for Surrey Libraries and our commitment to sustainability. Guildford Library is perfectly placed to become a leading Green Library Hub, building on its already impressive initiatives such as our Library of Things, eco library cards, tree giveaways, and our seed bank, a community project dedicated to saving and swapping open pollinated seeds.
“This funding will not only allow us to expand our green activities and reach more residents, particularly those in disadvantaged communities, but also strengthen vital partnerships with external groups like Zero Carbon Guildford. We’re incredibly excited to see the positive impact this project will have across Surrey.”
Guildford Library’s selection as one of only 10 inaugural Green Library Hubs, underscores Surrey County Council’s ongoing dedication to environmental sustainability and community engagement. The new funding will significantly enhance the library’s capacity to empower residents with the knowledge and resources to make meaningful change.
Stay updated with all the latest news and developments by following Surrey Libraries on social media:
Facebook @SurreyLibrariesUK
Surrey News 
Discussion
Comments are closed.