Placemaking strategies in greening Universiti Malaya Main Library

Abstract

<abstract> <p>Libraries are vital for learning, literacy, and fostering innovation. Emphasizing green and sustainable practices is crucial to conserve resources. This research focused on transforming the Universiti Malaya (UM) Main Library into a greener space through placemaking and green initiatives. To assess the greening potential of the library, a systematic review was conducted to establish a list of green library initiatives. Eighteen distinctive themes or categories of green library initiatives were identified. Ten categories deemed of critical importance, including indoor air quality, water quality and management, energy consumption, noise control, policies, waste management, interior design, ecological environment, services and facilities, and library sources, were selected for inclusion in a comprehensive user survey. The survey encompassed five sections, namely: (A) Demographic information, (B) Users' satisfaction with the UM Main Library, (C) Users' knowledges of the green libraries and practices, (D) Users' perceptions towards greening UM Main Library, and (E) Users' additional aspects which include Likert-scale questions and open-ended question soliciting users' opinions on additional green initiatives or improvements. A total of 407 respondents completed the survey, offering valuable insights into their perspectives. Overall, most of respondents revealed a prevailing inclination among library users toward endorsing and adopting green library practices in alignment with those categories. A total of 12 categories and 67 initiatives and strategies were listed based on both article reviews and users' suggestions. This study underscores the significance of integrating greening strategies within the UM Main Library to enhance its environmental quality and user experience by incorporating user feedback.</p> </abstract>