NYLA 2009 | Rebekkah Smith Aldrich

Greening Your Library

NYLA 2009 | Public Libraries Section | Rebekkah Smith Aldrich

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Rebekkah Smith Aldrich

Coordinator of Member Information

Mid-Hudson Library System

845.471.6060 x239 | rsmith@midhudson.org

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This presentation is available at

http://midhudson.org

© 2009. Portions of this presentation may be reproduced for noncommercial purposes provided attribution of source is included.

Concordia Eco-Tents, St. John, USVI

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What does “green” mean?

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Sustainability.

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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

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“Three Es of Sustainability”

Graphic: Sustainability at Vanderbilt University | vanderbilt.edu/sustainvu/sustainability.php

•Environment

•Social Equity

•Economics

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Buildings in the U.S.Buildings consume:• 40% of all energy used • 70% of electrical energy use• 17% of all fresh water• 25% of wood produced

• Buildings produce 38% of CO2 emissions• Buildings generate 30% of waste in landfills

Source: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | epa.gov

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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)…

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Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB)Zero (or “net zero”) energy buildings:Generate as much as consumed

October 5, 2009: The Obama administration issued an executive order that all new federal buildings built by 2030 need to be net energy zero.

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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.

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Libraries + Green = Good

• for you, your staff & patrons• for your community• for your tax payers • for our environment

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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

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Sustainable Choices Spectrum

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10 Opportunities1. Policy2. Building Envelope3. Lighting4. Computers5. Water6. Landscaping7. Operations & Maintenance8. Indoor Environmental Quality9. Renewable Energy10. Building Projects – New & ExpansionBonus Round – “Going Green All Over”

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#1: Green Policy Statement

• Board approved priority• License to “go green”• Could cover purchasing, recycling,

energy efficiency• Sample: Birkbeck Library, University of London

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#2: Building Envelope

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Save up to 20%

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

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Building Envelope SolutionsNYSERDA Energy Audit Program

Annual Electric Bills Energy Audit Fee

Less than $25,000 $100

Thermal Leak Detector $50

Insulating Foam Sealant $5

•HVAC duct work

•Wiring

•Sill Plate

•Rim Joist

Weather-stripping & Caulking

Controlling Moisture

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Insulation

Alternatives to fiberglass:

• Spray foam (soy-based Icynene): insulating and air tight

• Blown in Cellulose [10-15% increase in energy savings*]

• Denim insulation [30% increase in energy savings*]

*Source: The Green Depot, Albany, NY

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

Look for:•Double paned

•Low-E glazing

Windows

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#3: Lighting

CFLLED

Solar Tube lighting in the basementCommon Fire Housing Co-Op, Tivoli, NY

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Photos: Crandall Public Library | crandalllibrary.org

Daylighting & Views

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#4: Green Computing

• Green Use– Reduce energy consumption

• Power Management Settings• Energy Star • Thin Clients (example: Userful)

• Green Disposal– Refurbish/reuse/donate– Dispose of properly

Look for:

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Power Load Management

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

• Landscaping

#5: Water

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• Native plants• Wind breaks• Porous pavers• Rainwater catchments• Rain gardens

#6: Landscaping

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#7: 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

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Green Cleaning Supplies

• Beware “greenwashing”• Check out:

• Green Depot [greendepot.com]

Look for:

[greencleaning.ny.gov/]

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#8: 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

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#9: Renewable Energy

Solar Collection– Types: stationary or sun tracking– Applications:

• Solar hot water• Solar thermal

– Won’t work in every situation –dependant on your site

Solar powered drop boxesLawrence Public Library, Kansas

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Geothermal

• Geothermal Heat Pumps use stable ground or water temperatures near the Earth's surface to control building temperatures above ground.

• Uses 25%–50% less electricity than conventional heating or cooling systems

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#10: Building Project

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Integrated Building Design

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LEED Categories

• Sustainable Sites• Water Efficiency• Energy & Atmosphere• Materials & Resources• Indoor Environmental Quality

LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

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Materials

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Funding Green• Public Library Construction Grant Program

(NYS) (applications usually released in April)• NYSERDA

– Existing Facilities Program offers incentives for energy-efficiency improvements to existing buildings

– Power…Naturally has incentives for solar and wind installations

– New Construction Program offers incentives for energy-efficiency design in new construction and substantial renovations

– Green Buildings Program assists buildings in obtaining LEED certification

– Retrocommissioning optimizes how building equipment and systems operate

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Peru Public Library (NY)

Energy Efficiency Project:Total project cost = $132, 582

50% matching grant from NYS Construction Aid$52,675 from NYSERDALibrary came up with $14,616 to “go off the grid”

Source:“Local library works off the grid,” PressRepublican.com, 9.1.09

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Local Funding

• Green is a great public relations message

• Community will get behind investing their local tax dollars in “greening” the library

• If you’re going to “go green” – go all the way!

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Be Green All Over

• Make “sustainability” a primary talking point about your library

• In your newsletter, on your web site, and the signage in your building

• Collection Development• Programming for All Ages

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cliftonparklibrary.greentouchscreen.com

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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

• 40th Anniversary of Earth Day: April 2010

• Arbor Day (last Friday in April)

• Gardening through the SeasonsFor more ideas visit the MHLS EZ Library Program Databasemidhudson.org/program/main.php

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5 Low-Cost Things You Can Do Right Away

1. Talk to your Board about a Green Policy or a “Green Team”

2. Schedule an Energy Audit through NYSERDA3. “Green” your maintenance plan4. Start buying green: paper, paper towels,

kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies, technology

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?

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Resources

• NYSERDA Energy Audit http://www.nyserda.org/Programs/energyaudit.asp

• 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 Programhttps://greencleaning.ny.gov/

For more Green Facility Resources: http://midhudson.org/admin/facilities_resources/green.htmmidhudson.org Administration & Management Facilities Green Buildings

NYLA 2009 | Rebekkah Smith Aldrich

Winston Churchill once said, “We shape our buildings and thereafter they shape us."

What kind of library do you want to be?

NYLA 2009 | Public Libraries Section | Rebekkah Smith Aldrich