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Green Libraries:
The Change Agent
MithuAnjaliGayan, [email protected]
DerhasharSwargiary, [email protected]
Theme of the paper
As the whole world is facing the big threat of global warming the libraries are also not exempted from this phenomenon. The study tries to emphasize the need of a green library in today’s highly threatened global environment .The study mainly deals with the availability of green resources for building up of an ideal green library.
Green Libraries
Objectives
• To focus on the need of green library in this environmentally threatened world
• To list out some of the important green resources which can help librarians build their collection greener.
• To provide some easy steps which can be useful for libraries to reduce their impact on the environment
• To look at some of the successful green library projects
METHODOLOGY
• The present study is intended to give a view of the need and importance of a green library which is part of a greater green environment. The principal method used to accomplish the study was extensive literature review.
• A web based survey on the greenlibraries.org was also considered to fulfill the objectives of the study
Green resources
• GreenAnswers.com
Greendex: Survey of Sustainable Consumption
Environmental Science Digital Collection
from the University of North Texas
Biodiversity Action Reporting System
http://ukbap-reporting.org.uk/
US Green Building Council: LEEDhttp://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?Categ
oryID=19
Books
• Adams, Clark E. Urban Wildlife Management. (2nd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. 2010.ISBN-13: 9781439804605. US$102.00.
• Agarwal, Bina. Gender and Green Governance: the Political Economy of Women's Presence within and Beyond Community Forestry. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. 2010. ISBN-13:9780199569687.
• Aral, Mustafa M. Environmental Modeling and Health Risk Analysis (ACTS/RISK).
• Barange, Manuel (Ed.). Marine Ecosystems and Global Change. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
• Boyd, Emily. Climate Change: a Beginner’s Guide. (Oneworld Beginners’ Guides). Oxford
Green Libraries
http://www.greenlibraries.org/
100 Ways to Save The Environment
Act on Energy
http://www.actonenergy.com/state-
selection/?rq=/
10 Ways to Go Green and Save Green
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/3915
Water Conservationhttp://www.greenbiz.com/resources/resource/
waterconservation
Frequently Asked Questions - Lamp Disposal,Recycling & Environmental (GE Lighting)
http://www.gelighting.com/na/business_lighting/faqs/disposal.htm
Some international libraries with
its special green features
Seattle Central Library
National Library, Singapore
• Lights without negative effects,
• Programmed sensors
Minneapolis Public Library
• 18,560 square-foot green roof planted with vegetation
Public Library of Charlotte and
Mecklenburg County
•Leed certified at silver level
Some Indian with its special green features
• Calcutta University Library
• Mumbai University Library
• Madras University Library
• Delhi University Library
ISSUES &CONTROVERSIES,
Misperceptions such as
• Green building project is not economically viable
• Green building materials are not the same quality as traditional materials, are not readily available
• Creating sustainable buildings is too large a commitment
SOLUTIONS
• Library can assess itself on the basis of the following question• Perform an energy audit or other carbon footprint assessment• Make an assessment on how much electricity does the library
consume every month, every year?• Are there distinct pattern in usage; higher in winter?• Which type of lights are currently used in the library and how
many?• Is the library currently using solar, CFL or LED bulb?• Are all lights turned off once the library is closed?• What is the libraries policy on space heaters?• Are the computers and printers turned off if need is not arisen?• Has the library purchased energy star rated machines?
Contd..
• Repository of lesson learned and best practices
• Should repair older computers
• Reduce overall paper use and use recycled paper
• Use of green ink
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
• Should use green roofs, photovoltaic lights, harvesting of storm water and rain water, natural light, etc. as green measures
• Raised floor systems
• Natural ventilations
Green roof
Photovoltaic lights
Storm water harvesting
Green Library complexities
• While libraries are also becoming the part of the greater green movement, it faces certain difficulties which are quite different from other organizations. The major challenges are
• Sunlight, Weight of books and long term investments of Library buildings
CONCLUSION
From the study it is clear that small day todaysteps can make big differences on oursurrounding environment. There lies a goodamount of resources on green practices on theWorld Wide Web which can be used by librariansto make the library buildings, collections andoverall practices greener. Today’s librarians have agreat role to play in changing their libraries andthe environment by adopting itself to greenpractices and by educating its users on greenmovement.
