Facilities Management  
RSS
Threads [ Previous | Next ]
Re: What does it mean to be a "green" library?
Showing 9 results.
What does it mean to be a "green" library?
1:11 PM EDT 6/6/08
Share your thoughts here about this question.
Re: What does it mean to be a "green" library?
2:43 PM EDT 6/6/08 as a reply to Emily Inlow-Hood.
Many libraries that have the opportunity to build new are choosing to build green. My branch library is so green, it has a [url http://www.greenroofs.org/boston/index.php?page=ballardwin ]living roof[/url] full of native grasses and sedums. The Seattle Public Central Library was awarded a [url http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=222 ]LEED[/url] silver rating for its inclusion of various environmentally friendly materials and systems.

But beyond the big capital projects, I'd like to hear about more modest ways to green your library.
Re: What does it mean to be a "green" library?
2:50 PM EDT 6/6/08 as a reply to Betha Gutsche.
My branch library has a bike rack outside for those who like to use "pedal power" to reach it. It is also conveniently located one block from the community center. So when kids are done playing soccer and softball, or adults are on their way to the monthly neighborhood meeting, they can walk or ride over to the library afterwards.
Re: What does it mean to be a "green" library?
7:30 PM EDT 6/9/08 as a reply to Emily Inlow-Hood.
I just came across this resource ... a chat transcript from ACRL OnPoint Green Libraries Chat
http://libprofdev.wordpress.com/2008/06/07/acrl-onpoint-green-libraries-chat-transcript/
Re: What does it mean to be a "green" library?
4:33 PM EDT 6/10/08 as a reply to Emily Inlow-Hood.
Our library recently started a "Recycling Team". We're only a staff of three right now, but it's a start. Our city waste department had to stop their recycling program a few years ago because of budget problems so we share the task on a monthly basis by bringing all the paper waste to the recycling facility located a few blocks down the road. Our employers let us do this on work time so we technically get paid for it.
Re: What does it mean to be a "green" library?
4:58 PM EDT 6/10/08 as a reply to Carleen Huxley.
Thanks Carleen and welcome to WebJunction. I'm curious who else has formed a "team" at their library to tackle some of these issues. WebJunction staffers formed a Bike to Work team last month.

http://blog.webjunctionworks.org/index.php/2008/05/16/blogjunction-is-bikejunction/

Try not to be blinded by our "safety first" reflective vests emoticon

Emily
Re: What does it mean to be a "green" library?
2:04 PM EDT 5/20/09 as a reply to Emily Inlow-Hood.
A great resource for "green" libraries is a blog started by a former colleague of mine, Beth Filar Williams, http://greeningyourlibrary.wordpress.com/

One simple thing I do is to really ask myself, "Do I really need to print out that document?" I feel like I have saved a lot of paper (trees) over the years just by keeping electronic copies of documents. And yes, I do backup my computer to external hard drive every night. emoticon
Re: What does it mean to be a "green" library?
2:05 PM EDT 5/20/09 as a reply to Ross Callender.
I just recently stumbled upon this blog as well. In response to asking "Do I really need to print out that document?" - one thing I'd like to see implemented at my own library is a move away from paper stats sheets and hash marks to something along the lines of libstats: http://code.google.com/p/libstats/ . Currently we don't record the q & a or nature of the question - only a hash for telephone, desk or email. What I'd like to do or have done for me by the lazy web is a simple button click and digital hash - with the data available for export to excel. I suppose I could try to tweak the libstats code myself.
RE: What does it mean to be a "green" library?
2:06 PM EDT 5/20/09 as a reply to Emily Inlow-Hood.
Be sure to check out the sharing going on in the new Green Libraries group on WebJunction!