NUS Libraries receives Special Recognition at IFLA Green Library Award 2026
NUS Libraries has been conferred a Special Recognition under the IFLA Green Library Award 2026, administered by the Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Section (ENSULIB) of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). The award recognises a library or project that has demonstrated systematic, impactful efforts in advancing sustainability in the library sector and serves as an outstanding example for others.
ENSULIB recognised NUS Libraries as “a regional representative example of Singapore's long-term commitment to embedding environmental responsibility, social inclusion, cultural preservation and innovation into library strategy and practice”.
“Receiving this Special Recognition from IFLA ENSULIB is a meaningful affirmation of NUS Libraries' dedication to making sustainability a core part of everything we do — from the spaces we design to the programmes we run and the digital tools we develop,” said University Librarian, Associate Professor Natalie Pang.
“This recognition reflects the collective effort of our team and reinforces our belief that libraries have a vital role to play in shaping a more sustainable future.”
A holistic approach to sustainable libraries
NUS Libraries’ winning submission, Building Sustainable Libraries at NUS, outlines its systematic approach through its four Sustainability Pillars — Green Resources, Green Programming, Green Libraries, and Green Digital and Innovation — embedded across its operations, collections, programming and digital initiatives.
The approach, which is aligned with the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrates how environmental and social responsibility can be woven into a library’s work, rather than treated as a separate initiative. Such was the case in the recently renovated Medicine + Science Library, which integrates sustainability and functionality in its design.
“We hope that our approach can inspire other libraries, particularly in the region, to explore how they too can integrate sustainability holistically into their work and contribute meaningfully to national and global sustainability goals,” said Vice University Librarian Dr Magdeline Ng.
Watch a video about NUS Libraries’ sustainability efforts here, and visit this page for more information about its sustainability initiatives.
