Academic libraries in East Africa are emerging as dynamic agents of sustainability. They're not just about books and research anymore; these institutions are blending their traditional roles with innovative, climate-conscious practices. A recent publication by Dr Arnold Mwanzu, Associate Professor and Associate University Librarian, East Africa at AKU, and researcher Joseph Mwangi, offers new insights into how these libraries are contributing to the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly through the lens of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).
Drawing on research from over 170 institutions across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ghana, the study explores how academic libraries are adapting their spaces, policies, and programmes to support environmental stewardship. It highlights that libraries are not just repositories of knowledge; they are becoming proactive, community-focused hubs where climate literacy and sustainable values are nurtured.
This research, published in a global academic volume, explores the UNESCO framework of ESD which encourages learners and institutions to actively work towards achieving the SDGs. For Dr Mwanzu, the work is consciously personal. “I'm passionate about green libraries," he shared. “While there's a lot of research from Europe and North America, there's almost nothing from sub-Sahara Africa. We wanted to change that."
Some impressive examples include Kenya's United States International University-Africa (USIU-A), where large windows and zoned lighting in the library significantly cut down on electricity use. Catholic University, another Kenyan institution, conserves municipal water by using harvested rainwater to maintain its gardens. Both institutions track their energy consumption and integrate green values into campus life.
“These libraries are not just passive buildings," Dr Mwanzu explained. “They are actively reducing their carbon footprints and educating students on sustainable living. USIU was even shortlisted for the IFLA Green Library Award in 2017, a major moment for African libraries on the global stage."
In Uganda, Makerere University stood out for its community outreach, organising tree planting drives and public awareness campaigns. Rwanda's University of Global Health Equity links environmental sustainability with public health, while the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania leads the way in educating users on climate literacy.
Despite these strides, progress is uneven. One of the key challenges, according to Dr Mwanzu, is not funding, but perception.
“There's a widespread view that climate change is someone else's responsibility, especially because Africa contributes relatively little to global emissions. But that mindset is a barrier," he said. “Libraries are in a unique position to build eco-consciousness and shift those narratives."
Indeed, the role of academic libraries is evolving rapidly. No longer just storehouses of books, they are becoming vibrant civic spaces that offer workshops, exhibitions, and curated resources on climate action. Many are now embracing “green information literacy", a shift from traditional research skills to those that empower students to critically evaluate environmental data, policy, and misinformation.
This last point is crucial. In an era of rising anti-intellectualism and misinformation, particularly around climate science, libraries are trusted institutions that can provide accurate, unbiased knowledge. “Libraries are knowledge guardians," Dr Mwanzu said. “But they're also becoming knowledge activists. And for that, they need recognition and support."
His call to action is clear: empower libraries as strategic partners in development, not just through infrastructure, but through collaboration, research investment, and policy support.
“Every small action counts," he said. “And when libraries lead, communities follow."
