Sustainable Green Initiatives and Practices in Academic Libraries: A Case Study of The Pgim Library

Abstract

This case study investigates the strategic integration of green initiatives at the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) Library in Sri Lanka, documenting its transformation into a model of sustainable practice. It aims to document specific digital initiatives, analyse their impact on reducing the library's carbon footprint, and discuss their alignment with global sustainability benchmarks. Employing a multi-method approach, the study triangulates data from archival records, documentary evidence, digital artefacts, and system metrics. The findings reveal a synergistic operational shift driven by five core initiatives: the digitisation of administrative processes, implementation of a paperless communication ecosystem, a mandatory policy for digital academic submissions, development of an open-access repository, and the resultant indirect benefits of enhanced efficiency and access. The discussion frames this journey within green library theory, demonstrating how these targeted, low-cost digital interventions align with the principles of source-level waste reduction, fulfil key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 9, 12, 13), and offer a replicable blueprint for libraries in developing nations. The study concludes that the PGIM Library’s experience provides empirical evidence that libraries can architect sustainability through strategic operational choices, positioning themselves as proactive agents in building an environmentally responsible and resilient future.