Abstract
The research assumes that public, state and municipal libraries in Brazil, due to its condition and its mission should be the first to adopt sustainability principles and practices in order to become a reference in green cultural equipment in the country. It aims to reflect and discuss the concept of environmental information and green and sustainable library, as well as identify certified public libraries in the country in order to support the construction of public policies in this area. It shows the efforts of the federal government in the management of environmental information, and the lack of incentives for the adoption of sustainable practices and certification of libraries that receive public investments. Points out steps for certification in construction, design, architecture, management of natural and environmental resources, and environmental education in libraries and guidelines to support the development of cultural policies and encourage local governments to adopt sustainability principles and practices in Brazilian public libraries. It concludes that government investments in construction and modernization of public libraries shall consider the adoption of sustainability principles in their buildings, services and practices with in order to have a positive impact on the sustainable development of their region.
Keywords:
Public libraries; Sustainable libraries; Green libraries; Librarianship; Public policies.