Sustainability: Library

Library

The bulk of the library operations are online, such as taking out and reserving books, but there are other sustainable practices where the library is excelling as can be seen below:

Book collection

Assistant Librarian Richard Turner put together a book collection for Green Action Week

This is a selection of titles from across the subject coverage of the GTC Library – political science, economics, environmental science, physics and life sciences – which all have a focus on the environment and how we can save it, and are written by leading academics and commentators, including Sir Dieter Helm, a distinguished Oxford academic, formerly Professor of Energy Policy and currently Professor of Economic Policy. Areas covered range from the Green Industrial Revolution to Eco Capitalism and Bioeconomics, as well a more practical approach to sustainable living and exploding some climate myths. All titles are available for loan in the usual way

Book Supplier

Gardners (the company that own Browns Books – our main book supplier) has made considerable efforts around packaging.  They use 100% recycled boxes which are produced in a carbon neutral facility to full FSC compliance.  They have reduced their box filler, saving approximately 1224 trees a year, and are using less plastic tape.

Unwanted library books are collected by a company called Any Book.com, They collect books as and when their vans are in the area and try to sell them second hand.  If they are not in good condition, or the book does not sell they then get recycled.

In 2022, of the books donated by the college, 49kg were sold and 12kg were recycled.

In 2023 we sent 892 books with a total weight of 530kg. 236kg have been recycled, 86kg sold and the remainder are still available for sale

In 2024 of the 233 books donated 35kg were sold and 212kg recycled (some are still for sale)

In 2025 of the 413 books donated 53kg were sold and 426kg were recycled (some are still for sale).

Ebooks

The College participates in  an ebook scheme which provides ebooks for all members of the University.  This is a joint scheme between the Bodleian and a number of colleges

Shredding

The company the College uses for shredding sensitive documents is called Shred-it.  The shredded paper is recycled and, in 2024 and 2025 we have saved 21 trees each year through this activity.  Shred-it also boasts that their document collections consoles are made from 100% recovered and recycled fibers and their transport bins are moulded from 100% recycled HDPE plastic.

The Seed Library

The Seed Library encourages biodiversity while supporting the wellbeing of college members. As well as seeds, biodegradable seedling pots and peat free seed compost are provided.