Library practices for environmental sustainability in early childhood: A green library service

Abstract

Early childhood is a critical period where children gain life experiences and undergo rapid and lasting learning. Children’s awareness and learning begin with their own bodies and generalize to their immediate environment and the world. Their level of awareness and consciousness regarding the environment, in terms of components such as green practices, sustainability, and biodiversity, is decisive for both the quality of their own lives and the living conditions of future generations. Libraries are important life centers for children to gain knowledge, awareness, and experience about these concepts. This study presents examples of applications developed for libraries to introduce children to concepts such as environmental sustainability and being green from an early age, and examines the effects of these applications on children’s knowledge and awareness levels. In this study, a single-group pre-test–post-test model was preferred within the experimental method. Within the scope of the study, the researcher developed a “Green World Library Service” consisting of five original activities suitable for early childhood. The activities were applied to 28 children aged 4-6 years who were users of a public library. A questionnaire was administered before and after the activities to test the children’s knowledge and awareness levels regarding the concepts of environmental sustainability and being green. For data analysis, the paired sample t-test was used, and a statistically significant difference was found between pretest and posttest scores. This finding suggests that the implemented activities may be associated with an increasing tendency in children’s knowledge and awareness levels. The study is considered to make an original contribution to the field in terms of emphasizing the importance of developing unique activities in libraries to raise awareness about environmental sustainability and green practices during early childhood. Telif hakkı © 2026 Yazar(lar).