Green Libraries Week

Resource type: Event

Price band: Free

Key stage: KS1, KS2, KS3

Region(s): All of UK

Green Libraries Week is an annual celebration of the important role libraries play in schools and the wider community, with a focus on supporting sustainability and tackling climate change. Set up to showcase the creative and innovative work that libraries do to support their communities and help users develop their skills and confidence, Green Libraries Week 2026 will take place from 21 October – 28 October 2026. The theme for 2026 is Climate Facts for a greener future: Navigating mis- and disinformation in libraries.

Cost: Free

About CILIP: CILIP is the UK’s library and information association. The charity works to develop and improve library and information services and to support and advocate for information professionals and librarians.

Further resources:

Watch and listen

Join prize-winning author and poet Richard Lambert on 23rd September for a Green Libraries Week masterclass as he talks about his critically acclaimed YA novel The Wolf Road and explores themes of climate change, nature and disinformation. Suitable for pupils aged 13-16.

Get involved

The British Library is offering two on-site workshops to encourage young people to think critically about the source of information and engage creatively with issues of sustainability to support Green Libraries Week 2026. To the Source: An eco journey through our collection is aimed at KS3 pupils and Eco Explorers: Sustainability in action is aimed at pupils aged 9-11. Both workshops are free but booking is essential.

Teaching and learning

Download the NLT’s Plastic vs Planet resources. They include a booklist and activities to promote writing and speaking and listening for pupils in KS1-KS3 (ages 4-14). Available with free NLT membership.
Introduce pupils in EYFS to the Global Goals and support them to feel empowered to take action towards caring for our resources and planet with the NLT’s lesson plans based on picture book George Saves the World by Lunchtime. Available with free NLT membership.
The World’s Largest Lesson is an educational platform that provides free lesson plans and resources to raise awareness of the Global Goals and inspire young people aged 2-14+ to make a difference and build the world they would like to grow up in.
Download a selection of classroom-ready environment-related teaching resources to help learners aged 10+ understand climate challenges, think critically and explore practical solutions from Topical Talk.
Explore climate science and action through poetry with the resources created for National Poetry Day 2026.

Reading recommendations

Find fiction and non-fiction titles that introduce important themes around climate change for children and adults in these booklists compiled by the Green Libraries Hubs.
The Climate Fiction Writers League is a group of writers from around the world whose work aims to raise awareness of climate change. Their books include pictures books, middle grade and young adult fiction and the website also provides links to organisations that provide teaching resources about climate change.
Explore a selection of enviromentally-themed books for young readers of all ages from book recommendation site LoveReading4Kids.

More to explore on Literacy Hive

Ensure your pupils can keep up to date with climate change issues by taking out a school subscription to a junior newspaper or nature magazine. Find a selection here.
More environment-themed awareness days in the Literacy Year calendar include Earth Day, World Oceans Day, The Big Green Week and World Environment Day