Green Libraries

Green Libraries website has a new look!

Welcome to Green Libraries, a website dedicated to documenting the greening of libraries in North America. This site contains a growing list of libraries that are constructing green buildings.  It also contains a list of resources to help people make their libraries more green and sustainable.  There are currently 38 green libraries listed in the directory web pages.

The newest addition to the website is the Highland Sam J. Racadio Library and Environmental Learning Center.

For information about why libraries should go green, see Why Build Green? from the Rocky Mountain Institute and also Why Build Green? from the U.S.  
Enivornmental Protection Agency.

What is a Green Building?

Under the US Green Building Council's LEED performance system, a green building is one that is built incorporating the following design elements.

• Sustainable site selection and development
• Water conservation
• Energy efficiency
• Local resources, material conservation and waste reduction
• Indoor environmental quality
• Innovation in design

Builders choose those items that are appropriate for their project.

The Green Library Movement 

To learn more about the Green Library Movement check out the online article, The Green Library Movement: An Overview and Beyond in the Electronic Green Journal, 1(27) at http://escholarship.org/uc/item/39d3v236