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The Role of Academic Libraries in Promoting Environmental Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions

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Title: The Role of Academic Libraries in Promoting Environmental Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions
Language: English
Authors: Jialu Ma, Naeem Shahzad (ORCID 0009-0000-4309-1609)
Source: SAGE Open. 2025 15(4).
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 23
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Academic Libraries, College Students, Student Attitudes, Environmental Education, Sustainable Development, Library Role, Library Services, Universities
Geographic Terms: China
DOI: 10.1177/21582440251406091
ISSN: 2158-2440
Abstract: Higher education institutions play a vital role in advancing Sustainable Development Goals. Within these institutions, libraries serve not only as essential educational resources, but also as dynamic contributors to academic and personal development. Therefore, their potential to influence students' sustainable environmental behavior (SEB) is considerable. However, current literature largely overlooks the role of libraries in fostering SEB among students, highlighting a significant gap in sustainability-oriented educational research. To address this gap, this study investigates the influence of academic libraries on students' sustainable environmental attitudes (SEA) and SEB within Chinese higher education institutions. Utilizing data from 2,500 Chinese students collected through intercept approach, the study employed partial least squares structural equation Modeling for analysis. The results revealed that library space and green initiatives, library collaboration and practical engagement, and digital and smart library innovations had a significant positive impact on SEA. Conversely, library sustainability policies and governance have a negative impact on SEA. Interestingly, this negative relationship reversed to a positive one through the mediating role of library engagement and technology use. These findings suggest that sustainability policies and governance frameworks must be implemented in conjunction with active student engagement and the integration of user-friendly technological platforms to effectively promote environmental attitudes. Therefore, higher education libraries should prioritize participatory and technology-driven strategies that transform policy intentions into meaningful student experiences, ultimately fostering a stronger culture of sustainability on campus.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1495367
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: The Role of Academic Libraries in Promoting Environmental Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions
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  Data: English
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jialu+Ma%22">Jialu Ma</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Naeem+Shahzad%22">Naeem Shahzad</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4309-1609">0009-0000-4309-1609</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22SAGE+Open%22"><i>SAGE Open</i></searchLink>. 2025 15(4).
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 23
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Libraries%22">Academic Libraries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Environmental+Education%22">Environmental Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sustainable+Development%22">Sustainable Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Library+Role%22">Library Role</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Library+Services%22">Library Services</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Universities%22">Universities</searchLink>
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  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22China%22">China</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1177/21582440251406091
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  Data: 2158-2440
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Higher education institutions play a vital role in advancing Sustainable Development Goals. Within these institutions, libraries serve not only as essential educational resources, but also as dynamic contributors to academic and personal development. Therefore, their potential to influence students' sustainable environmental behavior (SEB) is considerable. However, current literature largely overlooks the role of libraries in fostering SEB among students, highlighting a significant gap in sustainability-oriented educational research. To address this gap, this study investigates the influence of academic libraries on students' sustainable environmental attitudes (SEA) and SEB within Chinese higher education institutions. Utilizing data from 2,500 Chinese students collected through intercept approach, the study employed partial least squares structural equation Modeling for analysis. The results revealed that library space and green initiatives, library collaboration and practical engagement, and digital and smart library innovations had a significant positive impact on SEA. Conversely, library sustainability policies and governance have a negative impact on SEA. Interestingly, this negative relationship reversed to a positive one through the mediating role of library engagement and technology use. These findings suggest that sustainability policies and governance frameworks must be implemented in conjunction with active student engagement and the integration of user-friendly technological platforms to effectively promote environmental attitudes. Therefore, higher education libraries should prioritize participatory and technology-driven strategies that transform policy intentions into meaningful student experiences, ultimately fostering a stronger culture of sustainability on campus.
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 23
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Libraries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Environmental Education
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      – SubjectFull: Sustainable Development
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      – SubjectFull: Universities
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      – SubjectFull: China
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