Abstrac

Propose: This study aimed to investigate the butterfly effect of public libraries in Kerman City on the development of environmental ethics.

Method: This study employed a survey design. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire with established validity and reliability. The questionnaire assessed four aspects of the butterfly effect: environmental knowledge, environmental attitudes, environmental behaviors, and environmental ethics. The population comprised patrons and users of public libraries in Kerman Province who are members of libraries supervised by the Kerman City Public Libraries Institution in 2024 (400 participants). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.

Findings: The finding indicate a significant relationship between environmental knowledge and environmental attitudes and the development of environmental ethics in Kerman City public libraries; however, no significant relationship was found with environmental behaviors. The study suggests that, at the social level, small actions by institutions such as public libraries can drive cultural and behavioral changes that promote environmental ethics. Environmental attitudes—such as the libraries’ commitment to sustainability through green policies—can be transmitted to users via social interactions and role modeling.

Originality/Value: This research offers a fresh perspective on the small but tangible and crucial impact of public libraries on sustainable development and environmental issues, addressing a gap in the literature with this approach.