Investing Green Logistics Information Systems in Academic Library Management and Their Role in Supporting Sustainable Development: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

This study examines the impact of advances in information storage media and digital technologies on information institutions, particularly academic libraries, and the resulting shift toward managing operations, collections, and services through management information systems. It highlights that the widespread use of such systems has increased energy consumption through the operation of devices, software, and digital services, thereby creating a need for green logistics information systems capable of supporting administrative and technical processes through energy-efficient technologies. The study aims to identify the extent to which the requirements for applying green logistics information systems are available in Arab academic libraries in support of sustainable development, and to propose a list of systems and requirements needed for implementation. It adopts a descriptive survey approach using a questionnaire directed to staff working in academic library systems departments in Egypt and the Arabian Gulf. The study concludes that green logistics information system requirements are available to a relatively high degree, while further attention is needed to energy-based services and energy consumption reduction. It recommends developing an integrated plan for applying green logistics information systems in libraries.