A Linden Librarian’s exciting vision make public libraries greener and more beneficial to communities has earned her international recognition.
Linden, South Africa (28 May 2025) — A Linden Librarian’s super idea to help libraries benefit communities more in the greenest way has caught and held international attention. Ms Tebello Sengora thinks that underused library spaces are gardens waiting to be created, something that could well benefit library patrons as well as encourage new members from the broader community.
Recently, Ms Sengora received an Honourable Mention at the 2025 Next Festival held in Denmark for her idea dubbed ‘The Green Shelf Network’.
An international event, the Next Library Festival takes a look at libraries in the future; inviting visionaries within library spaces across the world to share their thoughts as to how the libraries of tomorrow could and should look for the betterment of learning.
The Linden Librarian’s Green Shelf Network caught the attention of the festival. Per Joburg Libraries, the idea is to transform libraries into “modular gardens that connect communities with nature, literacy and sustainability.” How iconic is that?
Importantly, residents of Johannesburg would be hugely involved in the gardens from design to maintenance and crop-sharing in an effort to hold firm community buy-in and pride.
“This interactive experience not only beautifies library spaces and feeds communities, but also fosters a connection between nature, culture, health and even technology,” Joburg Libraries praised.
Ms Sengora was selected for the Honourable Mention as part of the 2025 Changemaker Award category which was introduced this year. The Changemaker Award honours thinkers whose focus orbits innovation.
She was one of just six out of 23 countries awarded with an honourable mention, including an Ireland representative’s idea to ‘take the library to the streets’.
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