Cultivating Change: Student-Driven Sustainability Projects

Author ORCID Identifier

Neyda Gilman: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0447-1443

Jennifer Embree: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0028-8409

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

7-2025

Keywords

sustainability, libraries, students, engagement, sustainable development, leadership, student library assistants, student-centered learning, education for sustainable development

Abstract

This chapter discusses sustainability-focused student-run projects being used in the libraries at Binghamton University, part of the State University of New York system, as unique learning opportunities that encourage high quality engagement and act as a form of education for sustainable development. Two different examples are presented, both of which provide insights from two librarians as well as from a student employee. The first example highlights a grant-funded project resulting in the creation of an Equitable Sustainability Literacy Guide (ESLG). The project was a typical student project. Two librarians provided the idea, resources, basic outline, and overall guidance for the project and students successfully under-took the majority of the work. The second example highlights a non-traditional student-run project involving a Sustainability Hub Student Interest Group which has had its successes, failures, and multiple iterations. The concept of a broader Sustainability Hub is also discussed and suggestions given for ways in which other academic libraries can engage with students to promote and educate their communities about the United Nations

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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