1. NYLA 2009 | Rebekkah Smith
Aldrich
Greening Your Library
New York Library Association Conference | 11.6.10 | Rebekkah Smith Aldrich

2. This presentation is
available at
SustainableLibraries.org
© 2010. Portions of this presentation may be reproduced for noncommercial purposes provided attribution of source is included.

3. Rebekkah Smith Aldrich
Coordinator for Library Growth & Sustainability
Mid-Hudson Library System
845.471.6060 x239 | rsmith@midhudson.org

4. Concordia Eco-Tents, St. John, USVI

5. What does
“green” mean?

6. Sustainability.

7. Building for People
“In addition to having positive
impacts on the earth and the long-
term financial bottom line, truly
sustainable projects must benefit the
people that live in, work in, and use
them.”
Building for People: Integrating Social Justice into Green Design,
Environmental Building News, October 2009

8. “Three Es of Sustainability”
Graphic: Sustainability at Vanderbilt University | vanderbilt.edu/sustainvu/sustainability.php
•Environment
•Social Equity
•Economics

9. Buildings
Consume:

10. 40%
of all energy used

11. 70%
of electrical energy use

12. 17%
of fresh water

13. 25%
of all wood produced

14. 30% of waste in landfills

15. 38% of CO2 emissions

16. 2030 Challenge
“All new buildings and
major renovations will be
carbon neutral by 2030.”
Who’s on board?
US Conference of Mayors, American Institute of Architects (AIA), Association
of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA); U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency; American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE); American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)…

17. OCPL 2010| RSA
Legislating Green
October 5, 2009: The Obama administration issued
an executive order that all new federal buildings
built by 2030 need to be net energy zero*.
September 1, 2009: Governor Paterson signed the
State Green Building Construction Act into law. The
act stipulates that new state buildings and major
renovations of existing buildings comply with green
building guidelines established by the Office of
General Service (LEED).
*Zero (or “net zero”) energy buildings: Generate as much as consumed

18. Libraries + Green = Good
• for you, your staff & patrons
• for your community
• for your tax payers/ administration/ donors
• for our environment

19. The Cost of Going Green
“There is no significant difference in
average costs for green buildings as
compared to non-green buildings.”
Cost of Green Revisited: Reexamining the Feasibility and Cost Impact of Sustainable
Design in the Light of Increased Market Adoption, Davis Langdon, 2007

20. Source: Local Government Position Statement on Energy (UK), 1998
Energy Hierarchy
1. Reduce the need for energy.
2. Use energy more efficiently.
3. Use renewable energy.
4. Any continuing use of fossil fuels
should be clean and efficient.

21. Sustainable Choices Spectrum

22. 10 Opportunities

23. #1: Green Governance
• Policy or Resolution
• Board / Administration approved priority
• Purchasing, recycling, energy efficiency…
• Samples:
• St. Lawrence University
• Birkbeck Library, University of London
• Wells Branch Community Library, Texas
• “Green Team”

25. #2: Building Envelope

26. Save up to 20%
The EPA estimates that you
can typically save up to
20% of heating and cooling
costs by air-sealing and
insulating.

27. Building Envelope Solutions
NYS Energy Research & Development Authority
Thermal Leak Detector $50
Insulating Foam Sealant $5
•HVAC duct work
•Wiring
•Sill Plate
•Rim Joist
Weather-stripping & Caulking
Controlling Moisture

28. Insulation
*Source: The Green Depot, Albany, NY
Alternatives to fiberglass:
1. Spray foam (soy-based Icynene):
insulating and air tight
2. Blown in Cellulose [10-15% increase in energy savings*]
3. Denim insulation [30% increase in energy savings*]

29. Graphic: U.S. Department of Energy | eren.doe.gov
Windows

30. Graphic: University of Wisconsin| uwsp.edu
Look for:
•Double paned
•Low-E glazing
Double paned windows: Up to 30% Savings

31. #3: Lighting
CFL
LED 
Solar Tube


32. 0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
Incandescent CFL LED Sun
Lighting Options
Hours

33. Solar Tube lighting in the basement
Common Fire Housing Co-Op, Tivoli, NY

34. Photos: Crandall Public Library, Glens Falls, NY | crandalllibrary.org | Photo credit: Ann Beha Architects
Daylighting & Views

35. Look for:
#4: Green Computing
• Green Use
– Reduce energy consumption
•Power Management Settings
•Energy Star
•Thin Clients (example: Userful)
•Green Web Hosting
•Cloud Computing
• Green Disposal
– Refurbish/reuse/donate
– Dispose of properly

36. Power Load Management

37. • Bathroom
• Dual flush toilets
• Dual flush kits ($60)
• Waterless urinals
• Faucet aerators ($5-$10) /
motion detection
• Check for leaks!
• Landscaping
#5: Water

38. • Native plants
• Wind breaks
• Porous pavers
• Rainwater catchments
• Rain gardens
#6: Landscaping

39. #7: Indoor Environmental Quality
• Good Air Quality
– Moisture control
– Control Radon
– Ventilation
– Materials
• Monitoring
• Maintenance
• Thermal Comfort
• Visual Comfort
– Natural light
– Views
• Physical Comfort
(ergonomics)
• Acoustical
Comfort

40. #8: Operations & Maintenance
• Preventative maintenance
• Training for staff
• High-efficiency (HEPA) vacuum or
outside-venting central vacuum
• Track-Off Mats
• Vent & duct work cleaning
• Green Cleaning

41. Look for:
Green Cleaning Supplies
• Beware “greenwashing”
• Check out:
• Green Depot [greendepot.com]
[greencleaning.ny.gov/]

42. LILRC 2010 | RSA
#9: Renewable Energy

43. Solar

44. Solar powered drop boxes
Lawrence Public Library, Kansas

45. Graphic: U.S. Department of Energy
Geothermal

46. #10: Building Project

47. Integrated Building Design

48. LEED Categories
• Sustainable Sites
• Water Efficiency
• Energy & Atmosphere
• Materials & Resources
• Indoor Environmental Quality
LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

49. Materials

50. Funding Green
• Public Library Construction Grant Program
(NYS) (applications usually released in April)
• New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority (NYSERDA)
• Grants.gov
• Financing
• Local Funding

51. Peru Public Library
Energy Efficiency Project:
Total project cost = $132, 582
50% matching grant from NYS Construction Aid
$52,675 from NYSERDA
Library came up with $14,616 to “go off the grid”
Source:“Local library works off the grid,” PressRepublican.com, 9.1.09

52. Be Green All Over
• In your newsletter, on your web site,
and the signage in your building
• Collection Development
• Programming for All Ages
• Tie into municipal / regional
sustainability plans

53. cliftonparklibrary.greentouchscreen.com

54. Program Ideas for the Public
• Winterize Your Home
• Eating Seasonally
• Green Fashion Show
• Eco-Friendly Crafts
• Community Clean-Up
• NYSERDA Rebates for
Homeowners
• Edible Plants
• Green Cleaning
• Earth Day: April
• Arbor Day (last Friday
in April)
• Gardening through
the Seasons
• “Lending Library” for:
– Gardening tools
– Bicycles
– Fishing poles
For more ideas visit the MHLS
EZ Library Program Database
midhudson.org/program/main.php

55. 5 Low-Cost Things You Can Do
Right Away
1. Green Policy or a “Green Team”
2. Energy Audit
3. “Green” your maintenance plan
4. Start buying green
5. Walk around your building: What are you
options for renewable energy? Do you have
the room for geothermal? Could solar work on
your property?

56. Resources
• New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority (NYSERDA)
http://www.nyserda.gov
• New York Power Authority
http://www.nypa.gov
• Air Seal Audit Checklist (Dow)
http://greatstuff.dow.com/pdfs/checklist.pdf
• New York Natural Heritage Program Plant Guide
http://www.acris.nynhp.org/plants.php
• New York’s Green Cleaning Program
https://greencleaning.ny.gov/
For more Green Facility Resources:
http://midhudson.org/admin/facilities_resources/green.htm
midhudson.org  Administration & Management  Facilities  Green Buildings
 SustainableLibraries.org

57. NYLA 2009 | Rebekkah Smith
Aldrich
“We shape our buildings and thereafter they shape us.“
-Winston Churchill
What kind of library do you want to be?