ASSOCIATIONS’ FEATURE - SUSTAINABILITY
WRITING A BETTER FUTURE How the World Library and Information Congress embraced sustainability IAPCO Member: K.I.T. Group, Germany
Together with IFLA, the association behind the WLIC (World
• Book sharing: there is no better place than a congress full
Library and Information Congress), K.I.T. Group is contracted
of librarians to collect books. Delegates donated 83 books
to manage planning and logistical arrangements, and to make
to local schools. Languages included English, Malaysian
certain that delegates experience a productive congress. K.I.T.
and even Chinese!
now had a new challenge: how to make the congress more sustainable?
FOR THE PLANET: • Avoiding paper waste by going digital: 64% of delegates
First, two goals were defined:
downloaded the WLIC app to check the programme and
1. Giving back to the Malaysian community (the congress
additional information about the congress and IFLA.
Thanks to this fewer programmes were printed than in
took place in Kuala Lumpur).
2. Reducing the ecological impact of the congress.
previous years, saving paper and money.
Then, an effective way to deliver these goals needed to be
• Digital signage: most of the signs inside the conference
established within the details of planning the congress.
centre were digital. These electronic signs helped to avoid
FOR THE LOCALS:
paper waste and made last-minute changes easy.
• Live streaming of sessions: 95 033 librarians from across the
• Responsible sourcing: for the few communication
planet followed the WLIC online. There were about 30 times
materials which still had to be printed, eco-friendly paper
as many people watching the main sessions online as
(Forest Stewardship Council certified) was used. Using such
delegates sitting in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
certified paper is essential to fight against illegal deforestation and help to promote the practice of
• Involving local volunteers: over 300 volunteers from all over
sustainable forestry worldwide.
the world assisted the K.I.T. team before, during and after the event. They helped significantly with the organisation
• Promoting public transport: to reduce the number of
and their enthusiasm brightened the mood.
delegates using taxi services, Kuala Lumpur’s free bus service and the airport’s express train were
• Highlighting local culture: delegates could use their breaks
highly promoted.
to immerse themselves in local library culture via an alley of roll-up banners showcasing Malaysian libraries installed inside the conference centre. • Supporting local associations: to increase access to culture and education for Malaysian children, a donation box was set-up and its contents donated to local charities.
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| June 2020
This case study reflects WLIC 2018, August, Kuala Lumpur.
