Green Information Literacy and Public Libraries: Assessing Librarians' Awareness, Attitudes and Practices in Environmental Conservation

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the awareness, attitudes and practices of public librarians in Qom province regarding green information literacy and their role in environmental conservation. Method: This applied research employed a descriptive-survey method. The statistical population includes 75 librarians working in 24 public libraries in Qom province, from whom 40 were selected through stratified random sampling and responded to a researcher-developed questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS soft- ware with descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results: The librarians had a moderate understanding of green information literacy, with more than half being unfamiliar with the concept prior to the study. However, they demonstrated a positive attitude toward environmental protection and high motivation to engage in eco-friendly activities, although limitations such as a lack of educational resources and weak institutional support hindered practical implementation. The results also indicated that public libraries can play a crucial role in raising environmental awareness among users and librarians, through information dissemination, training and awareness programs as well as contributing significantly in the promotion of green infor- mation literacy. Conclusion: This study highlights the need to expand environmental education for librarians, develop supportive policies within related library institutions, and enhance collaboration between libraries and environmental organiza- tions. Future studies are recommended to extend the research scope to other provinces and employ qualitative methods to gain deeper insights into the challenges and opportunities in this field.