Being the First to Take the Step Towards Green

Libraries are typically seen as a staple in a community and a place that everyone knows; you can count on most cities and towns to have a library. Since most towns are equipped with a library what better way to spread the “green” word than to be proactive and start the revolution right at your own local library. Many libraries in the United States have started to "green" up their libraries by dimming lights, starting recycling programs, growing drought tolerant plants, using recycled materials to build shelving and using awnings in areas that receive direct sunlight. These are just some of the areas that can be altered to fit green standards.

One library in Los Angeles has devoted part of their budget for building their new facility strictly for “green” construction. A representative from the library stated “From a political perspective, it is a tremendous opportunity to make a statement: This is the most environmentally friendly building in Los Angeles…this is something the rest of the city can learn from.” With that in mind let’s look at the different ways libraries can go “green” while involving the community.

One area that libraries could focus on would be the installation of solar panels and wind turbines. They could start slow by purchasing just one or two, then building their collection until they are completely independent of energy costs. With the green revolution comes many options for solar panels and wind turbines. There are multiple companies available to fit any building whether it be a small house or a library with solar panels to fit their individual needs. There are solar panels that remain on the ground to receive the most amount of direct light or there are panels that roll out like carpet onto the top of buildings to capture the direct energy from the sun. Granted these solar panels range in price from $1,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the vender and needs of the building. Some libraries would be unable to depend on solar panels to reduce their energy intake strictly due to the fact that they do not receive enough sunlight. Some places have too many trees that would block the direct sun. In this case the library might have to depend on wind turbines to extract their energy.

Wind turbines are a lot like solar panels in that there are many providers that make the product with a wide range of prices. A few years ago most wind turbines were large and made specifically for large complexes that required a considerable amount of energy. Now, when perusing the internet one may find multiple companies that specialize in the production of wind turbines for small business and homes like Southwest Windpower. Most are approximately 10-20 feet high when on their tower and are easily installed. Some may be installed on the roof with special “bird guards” to protect passing birds from the rotating blades. Certain places would be unable to install wind turbines due to a minimum wind requirement not being met. A number of large store chains like Costco and Whole Foods have already installed these business centered wind turbines to help reduce their carbon footprint. So how can libraries take a step to help set an example to their community? Education is the answer.

Community classes that would involve the public would be a great way to get the word out about going "green". To involve the community libraries could hold classes about the various options available to them for going green. The library could also hold classes on the different companies that provide alternative energy for the home or business. Another option would be to involve the community in the installation of the panels or turbines to show how easily they can be set up. Not only would the library have the physical appearance of going green with the installation of solar panels or wind turbines but also provide the community with an education of the process.

Resources

Cavanaugh, K. (n.d.). Los Angeles 'Green' Library Sets Standard on Energy, Water Efficiency. Daily News (Los Angeles, CA), Retrieved February 23, 2009, from Newspaper Source database.

Grace, Tom. 2008. "The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y., On The Bright Side column: On The Bright Side: Library taking solar route." Daily Star, The (Oneonta, NY) . Newspaper Source, EBSCOhost (accessed February 23, 2009).

Hatch, M. J. (2006). Organization theory: Modern, symbolic, and postmodern perspectives. 2nd Edition. New York: Oxford University Press.

Lori Aratani. "East Columbia Library Turns to a Higher Power: The Sun." Washington Post, The . Newspaper Source, EBSCOhost (accessed February 21, 2009).