Green Libraries

Opened in October 2005 after extensive renovation and expansion.  It is the first public library in Michigan to receive certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.  During construction 87% of existing building structure was reused, 45% of materials were manufactured within  500 miles, and 91% of construction waste was diverted from landfills.  Insulation in the roof and walls was increased by 300%.  Water consumption was reduced by 50%, saving 100,000 gallons per year.  Received LEED Silver certification. Building information: http://www.libcoop.net/harperwoods/leed_brochure.htm

 
This state-of-the-art library is the first combination library/environmental learning center in the United States. The facility includes a rooftop garden, amphitheatre, and flora and fauna exhibits. It has an Environmental Learning Center where, through interactive displays, children can see animals and insects such as chinchillas, iguanas and Madagascar hissing cockroaches. The facility is built with 28% recycled or reused materials, provides extensive use of natural light, and uses a rooftop landscape as natural insulation. Gardens are used to grow food for a number of the animals housed in the critter area of the ELC. Received LEED Gold certification. Building information: http://www.library.ca.gov/lba2000/funded/highland.html
 

ImaginOn is a collaborative venture of the Charlotte Mecklenbury Library and Children's Library of Charlottee.  ImaginOn brings stories to life through extraordinary experiences that challenge, inspire and excite young minds.  In spring, 2005 the facility was recognized by the Mecklenburg County Recycling Program for its outstanding commitment to keeping green throughout the construction process. RodgersHardin, the general contractor for ImaginOn, recycled 100% of the waste generated during the demolition phase and 82% of the construction waste. Concrete, wood, drywall, metal, and paper were all sorted onsite and recycled locally. Construction and demolition debris accounts for an estimated 1/3 of the overall waste stream in Mecklenburg County.  In 2006, ImaginOn was awarded Silver LEED certification.  Building information: http://www.imaginon.org/pdfs/archFacts01.pdf

Designed for joint building use with Utility Exploration Center, a hands-on museum dedicated to raising awareness of environmental issues, the Library opened in December 2007. Various construction features include:  recycled water used in the evaporative cooling system, cork flooring used because of its regenerative nature, low-emissivity (Low-E) windows which reduce cooling costs by up to 40% by including a microscopic thin metallic layer that reduces heat transfer from the exterior to the interior of the building, bird seed laminates on cabinets, low VOC paint, recycled glass countertops and wall tiles, and the use of carpet squares to reduce the need for whole carpet replacement.   In addition, building furnishings are made with recycled products.  The building is designed to save the City of Roseville over $1.8 Million in reduced operating costs over the life of the building. Awarded Silver LEED rating initially and received October 2009 a Gold LEED rating.  Building information: http://www.roseville.ca.us/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=1703&targetid=1

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