Sustainable Library at SDU

SDUB as the University Library of the Future focuses on sustainability and transformative partnerships with SDU’s strategic partners by creating the knowledge that inspires responsible action and long-term impact. Through strong advocacy, we champion open science, equity, well-being and inclusive access to knowledge. By fostering discovery and dialogue, we enable collaborative spaces where ideas can flourish and diverse voices shape research and education.
Our commitment to dissemination ensures transparent, innovative communication of knowledge to society. Finally, we embed sustainable practices and habits in our operations and services—promoting digital efficiency, resource-conscious behaviors, and partnerships that advance environmental and social responsibility.

SDUB take responsibility for the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals in terms of:

1- Knowledge sharing and communication

• We invite users into the library and make the space and our competences available for versatile use in relation to sustainability and the SDGs.
• We create and participate in activities that communicate sustainability and SDGs.
• We support and participate in SDU's work to promote sustainable development and research in relation to both various projects and collaborative relationships as well as classic library deliveries and competences.

2- Practices and habits

• We demonstrate critical and constructive awareness and action in relation to our daily practice both in terms of library operations and office habits.
• We challenge and develop individual and shared office habits with a focus on climate and sustainability.
• We seek out knowledge and facts in the organization and the surrounding society in order to implement optimal sustainable solutions.

Dogmas complement and supplement the library strategy and common living rules as well as SDU's desire to promote sustainable development and research.

How does SDUB support Sustainability?

Library as Communicator

The library focuses on event management, ongoing communication and knowledge sharing with other organizations.

• Communicating knowledge created in our university
• Promoting literacy, including digital, media and information literacy, and skills
• Providing a network of delivery sites for programs and services
• Building global partnerships and collaboration

Library as Facilitator

The library focuses on involving citizens and communities, establishing communities for sustainability. Capture ideas and support engagement.

• Citizen Science
• Providing support for quality education
• Providing well-being in the study environment
• Providing sustainable research communication
• Preserving and providing access to the world’s culture and heritage
• Support gender equality
• External collaborations

Library as Actor

The library focuses on purchases and resource consumption, and on the library as a sustainable organization.

• Building global partnerships and collaborations that provide greater access to digital collections and information capability programs
• Closing gaps in access to information and helping individuals in all aspects of their life understand information needs better
• Formation of resource sharing
• Provision of adequate and up-to-date information
• Upcycling and/or donation of discarded materials
• Keeping information resources for posterity

Library as Organization

The library focuses on staff involvement, competence and development and on the library as a sustainable workplace (well-being and social sustainability)

• Building internal/external network
• Support staff to be more sustainable
• Prioritize well-being in the workplace

The Green Corner - SDUB Campus Sønderborg

The Green Corner is an open space in the library at Campus Sønderborg for students and staff where sustainable ideas are shaped, plans are put together and projects are launched, all with the objective to make the campus more sustainable. 

Read more information on The Green Corner here

Week 17

Date: 20-24th April 2026
Venue: SDUB – all campuses

Day of Research (Forsknings Døgn)

Sustainability Awards and Recognitions