Green Libraries Directory
Libraries are arranged alphabetically within each country designation.
Entry format:
Name of library (URL). Location.
Description highlights. Building information URL.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Ballard Branch. Seattle Public Library. Seattle, WA.
Features a green roof which helps to insulate the building and reduces the amount of rain
water that would flow into storm drains. To conserve energy the building incorporates 17 solar
panels on the roof and uses occupancy light sensors in offices. Seven skylights strategically
placed take advantage of natural daylight. The restrooms feature waterless urinals. Recycled
carpet, glass, and ceiling tiles were used throughout the building. The Ballard Branch was
selected by the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment as one of the
Top Ten Green Projects for the 2006. Building information: http://www.spl.org/default.asp?
pageID=branch_open_other&branchID=3
Blair Library. Fayetteville Public Library. Fayetteville, AR.
The Blair Library has been credited with several firsts. It was one of the first public libraries in
the US to register with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It was the first building
project in the state of Arkansas to register for LEED certification, and the first municipal
building to be certified. The library opened in October 2004 and was completed in spring
2006. The 88,000 square foot facility features a cistern to catch rainwater for irrigation, a white
membrane roof, cork flooring, recycled content furnishings, waterless urinals low VOC finishes
and fabrics etc. Received LEED Silver NC certification. Building information: http://www.faylib.
org/new_library/index.asp.
Bozeman Public Library. Bozeman , MT.
One of only four LEED certified buildings in Montana, the building utilizes natural daylighting,
green materials that have high recycled content, a 34 kW photovoltaic system, waterless
urinals, landscaping requiring low irrigation requirements, R-20 translucent wall panels
(Kalwall), storm retention ponds, “night sky” compliant exterior light fixtures, night flushing to
reduce summer cooling loads and high efficiency HVAC equipment. Before construction
began, the site was deemed a “brownfield” site and was remediated of the heavy metal and
asbestos contaminants. Received LEED Silver certification. Building information: http://www.
headwatersnews.org/p.bozemanlibrary111507.html
Broward Community College/South Regional Library. Pembroke Pines, FL.
Opened February 1, 2007 the Library is the first green LEED certified facility in Broward County.
The building utilizes bookshelves and furnishings made from sustainably harvested wood,
carpet made from recycled fibers, and low emitting VOC materials. Building information:
http://www.broward.edu/environmental_bcc/envrionmental/GreenBuilding/page3174.html
Budlong Woods Branch. Chicago Public Library. Chicago, IL.
Incorporates a 16kw photovotaic system which provides seven percent of the buildings
energy. Also incorporated improved wall and roof insulation, lighting controls, and windows
that keep heat out but let in light, which enable it to need twenty percent less energy than
required by the Chicago Energy Code. Received LEED certification. Building information: http:
//www.edutracks.com/displays/budlongwoods.leed.html
Central Library. Seattle Public Library. Seattle, WA.
Uses automatic lighting controls to reduce light pollution. Over 20 percent of the building
products used in the Central Library were manufactured within 500 miles of Seattle and more
than 75 percent of demolition and construction waste was recycled. Reduced the "heat island
effect" by planting trees around the building and using drought resistant plants in the
landscaping. All irrigation provided by rainwater collected from building exterior and stored in a
40,000-gallon tank. Received LEED Silver certification. Building information: http://www.spl.
org/default.asp?pageID=branch_central_sustainable&branchID=1
Candler Library. Emory University. Atlanta, GA.
New building materials were composed of 60% recycled materials and 43% of raw building
materials were manufactured within 500 miles of the library. The building features low flow
water aerators for reduced water consumption and optimized energy performance by using
automation devices and occupancy sensors for building heating and cooling. To improve
indoor air quality, incorporated low volatile organic compound (VOC) emitting paints, carpets,
and adhesives. Received LEED Silver certification. Building information: http://www.college.
emory.edu/candler/index.html
Eden Prairie Library. Eden Prairie, MN
Eden Prairie Library is believed to be the first library in the US to use a natural gas fuel cell to
create power and heat on-site. The fuel cell generates 5 kilowatts of electricity which is
enough power to operate a typical home and has an annual utility savings of $82,000. The
Minnesota Sustainable Design Guide was used in the design of the building. Some of the
sustainable components incorporated into the Library include: the reuse of an existing building
(the building was formerly a grocery store); low emitting VOC materials; recycled content carpet
tiles; efficient lighting controls; sustainable landscaping incorporating native plants; and on-
site rain water management. Building information: http://wwwa.co.hennepin.mn.
us/portal/site/HCInternet/menuitem.3f94db53874f9b6f68ce1e10b1466498/?
vgnextoid=1a29b70a699fc010VgnVCM1000000f094689RCRD
Hayden Library. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Cambridge, MA.
Features solar panels on the roof generating 15,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.
Building information: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2004/solarpower.html
Jay Johnson Public Library. Quinter, KS.
The interior design of the library includes a wheat board front desk and office fixtures. (Wheat
board is constructed from wheat and is a locally grown resource.) A 3kw photovoltaic system
was installed on the south facing roof. The library has east and south facing windows for
morning and winter sun, and no west or north facing windows to limit exposure to cold winds.
Compact and energy efficient tubes, as well as reading lamps were installed to decrease the
amount of energy used by light fixture. Even though library addition almost doubled its size
electrical use did not increase. Building information: http://www.quinterlibrary.org/facility.
html
Malletts Creek Branch, Ann Arbor District Library. Ann Arbor, MI.
Features solar heating, a vegetated green roof and convection cooling. Uses renewable
building materials, and a storm water management system that incorporates native plants and
grasses. Opened in 2004 the branch later went on to win the Michigan AIA Award for
Sustainable Architecture and the Huron Valley AIA Chapter for Sustainability. Building
information: http://www.aadl.org/aboutus/mallettscreek/sustainability
Minneapolis Central Library. Minneapolis, MN.
Features energy-efficient design, three green roofs, and a storm water management system.
Building information: http://www.mplib.org/greenroof.pdf
North Adams Public Library. North Adams, MA.
In 2007 the North Adams Public Library became the first public library in Massachusetts to
become LEED certified. The building project renovated its existing Victorian building which
expanded the building by an additional 10,876 square feet for a completed size of 27,270
square feet. The library received a grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative for
$175,000 which enabled the library to install a 9.6 kW array, and two geothermal wells for
heating a cooling. Using LEED guidelines the building also included energy efficient lights,
daylight and occupancy sensors, Co2 monitoring, roof insulation of R30, wall insulation of
R33, water efficient landscaping, building and resource reuse, used local/regional materials, a
construction management plan, and low-emitting materials. Received LEED certification.
Building information: http://www.naplibrary.com/NAPLgreen.htm
Oaklyn Branch Library. Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library. Evansville, IN.
Opened in the spring of 2003, the Oaklyn is built into the side of a hill and has a flat 17,250-
square-foot green roof. The soil from the hill helps the library stay cooler in summer and
warmer in winter and the runoff water from the roof drains into a rain garden. Building
information: http://www.evpl.org/hours-locations/oaklyn/oa-roof.html
Ossining Public Library. Ossining, NY.
Uses geothermal energy to heat and cool the building. Sunlight used to provide up to 90
percent of the light needed. Incorporated building materials located withing a 500 mile radius
of the library. Used native plants in landscaping that are drought and pest-resistant. Pursuing
LEED certification. Building information: http://www.ossininglibrary.org/expansion.aspx
Pittsfield Branch, Ann Arbor District Library. Ann Arbor, MI.
The library building uses recycled material in the roof, walls, window frames, carpet, and
insulation. Also incorporates locally produced low energy content concrete masonry,
renewable resources, and efficient lighting. The grounds will include native plant species to
assist with the restoration and management of the wetlands surrounding Malletts Creek.
Building information: http://www.aadl.org/aboutus/newpittsfieldbranch
Portsmouth Public Library. Portsmouth, NH.
The Library’s heating, cooling and ventilation system was designed to consume 32.5% less
energy than a standard system. The building incorporates natural lighting features to save
electricity. Visitors are able to enjoy views to the outside in 90% of the library. Building
materials consist of recycled content and low emitting fumes whenever possible. In 2007 the
Library was the first municipal building in New Hampshire to receive LEED certification. It
received a LEED Silver certification. Building information: http://www.cityofportsmouth.
com/library/leed.htm
Rosemary Garfoot Public Library. Cross Plains, WI.
Opened in 2006 the Rosemary Garfoot Public Library is cited as being Wisconsin's first green
library building. The 16,500 square-foot building uses an energy efficient design that
maximizes access to natural daylight, is guaranteed to provide an annual utility savings of at
least 30% over conventional construction and utilizes local and/or recycled materials. The
library was constructed using the concept of the Whole Building Design. To educate visitors
about the building, the library created a self-guided tour brochure that enables individuals to
learn about "green" elements such as rain gardens, cork flooring, waterless urinals and
wheatboard cabinetry. Through a link on the library website, the public has access to an
energy kiosk that demonstrates the facility's energy use in real-time. Received LEED Silver
certification. Building information: http://www.scls.lib.wi.us/csp/LEEDtour.pdf
Santa Monica Public Library. Santa Monica, CA.
Features include underground parking, solar electric panels, and a storm water management
system used to irrigate the drought resistant landscape. More than 50% of the building
materials contain significant recycled content. Also includes low-flow restroom faucets and
toilets, and the state's first approved no water urinals. Received LEED Gold certification.
Building information: http://smpl.org/sustainability
Utah Valley State College Library, Orem, UT.
Scheduled to open July 2008 the UVSC's library is the first building in Utah to be constructed
under the High Performance Building program. The library is 65 percent to 90 percent more
energy efficient than previously constructed buildings. It is estimated that the library will save
$100,000 per year in utility costs. The building includes high-performance glass that lets in
light but cuts out heat; motion sensors that shut off lights if the space is unoccupied; a process
that uses excess heat to warm other areas of the building; and panels that block light in the
summer but allow for warming light in the winter. Building information:
http://www.uvsc.edu/library/newbuilding/index.html
West Valley Branch Library. San José Public Library System. San José, CA
The website states that the West Valley Branch Library is the first green library in the world to
receive LEED certification. The building was designed to use 30% less energy and 50% less
irrigation water than standard buildings by incorporating its mature redwood trees into the
design and by using a drought-tolerant landscape. More than 25% of the materials used
during the construction were made from recycled products, such as soda bottles. It also uses
natural day lighting and a variety of chemical-free fabrics and materials to improve the indoor
air quality. Building information: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/esd/natural-energy-
resources/gb-westvalley.htm
USA - CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The Oldham County Public Main Library. LaGrange, Ky.
The Library is slated for completion in late fall 2008. Green elements will include a geo-
exchange heating and cooling system, a storm management and rainwater catchment system
for toilets and irrigation, efficient low voltage artificial lighting fixtures, and monitored air quality
in building. The manufactured materials used will consist of recycled content or renewable
resources and will also include post consumer recyclables such as recycled carpet, flooring
and furnishings. An attractive walking trail is planned for the site. The Library hopes to attain a
LEED silver certification. Building information: http://www.oldhampl.org/newlibfastfact.pdf
CANADA
Canmore Public Library. Canmore, Alberta.
Early adopter in "The Natural Step to a Sustainable Canmore." Its Sustainability Vision calls
for the library to become a Community "HUB of Sustainability," in both its operations and its
program. Building information: http://www.biosphereinstitute.org/docs/EA-Case-Study-
Library.pdf
Crowfoot Branch, Calgary Public Library. Calgary, Alberta.
The first building to be designed and constructed under the City of Calgary's new Sustainable
Policy. Incorporates natural and daylight harvesting, exterior sunshades, and a white 'Energy
Star' compliant roof to . Also includes on-demand water heating with low-flow plumbing fixtures
to reduce the use of water and conserve energy. Received a NC v2 rating. Building
information: http://calgarypubliclibrary.com/library/crowfoot_library.htm#environment
