“Michigan State University’s Library Environmental Committee”

Michael E. Unsworth

Humanities Librarian

Michigan State University Libraries

unsworth@msu.edu

April 2010

OUTLINE• MSUL Background• LEC in Bureaucracy• Brief Chronology• Membership Composition• Ongoing Activities

– Communication / Education– Recycling– Reduce / Reuse

• Current Operations– Environmental Stewardship– Green Certification– Pushback

• Adaptability of LEC Model

MSU

“SACRED SPACE”

LEC IS AN OFFICIAL COMMITTEE

LEC CHARGE• “focus on the Libraries' use

of natural resources with an eye toward sustainability, while maintaining and improving our overall working and learning environment.”

“CATEGORIES OF RESOURCES:” • paper printing and copier use• energy--lighting, PCs • heating and cooling• cleaning supplies and chemicals• office supplies• recycling and waste reduction• parking and transportation• noise• general design issues that have an ecological

impact.•

LEC TASKS

• Advise library administration and staff

• Provide educational information for staff

• Maintain a reference file or sources related to these issues

• Act as liaison with the Office of Recycling and Waste Reduction and contact other units as required

BRIEF CHRONOLOGY

• 1978: Informal newspaper recycling in Main Library

• 1986: Environmental Action Committee of the Staff Association formed

• 1986-1999: Expanded types of materials to Recycling (white paper,beverage containers, corrugated boxes, & other materials. Branches added.

• 1999: EAC morphed into present Library Environment Committee

MEMBERS• About ten• All volunteers• Personal interest in environmental issues

= effectiveness• No requirements that LEC should have

representation from all MSUL units, ex officio members, or a specified library staff/librarian ratio.

• Past Environmental Studies subject selectors have not always joined the Committee.

• No fixed term of membership• Rotating Chair & Recorder

EFFECTIVENESS

• This structure gives LEC broad flexibility in carrying out its charges

• Activities are set by:

– the individual members’ concerns,

– referrals through official MSUL and University channels

– direct contact from interested staff members.

VIRTUES• Members know that they have to share

leadership; members stepping up on their own to lead various initiatives

• Volunteers are enthusiastic because of their interest in environmental matters. Each member brings personal interests and expertise which gives the Committee a broad knowledge base and many contacts for networking on campus and in the community

• Long-serving members provide institutional memory.

OCCASIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE UNCERTAINTY

• Sometimes administrators are unsure of a proper contact person in time-critical situations.

• This is solved by the good will of the members and technology. E-mail enables rapid routing of administrators’ concerns & prompt online discussion of issues that need quick resolution.

LEC INTRANET SITE IS A POWERFUL TOOL

ONGOING ACTIVITIES

COMMUNICATION / EDUCATION

ECOGRAM SIGNATUREThis EcoGram is brought to you by your MSU Library Environmental

Committee: Michelle Allen, Hsiang-Ping Cha, Susie Garmo, Susan Kendall, Elida Marti, Kate Ojibway, Kriss Ostrom, Stephanie Perentesis, Heidi Schroeder, Mike Schury, and Mike Unsworth. Please send any of us your questions or agenda items for our monthly meetings. Our work focuses on the Libraries' use of natural resources with an eye toward sustainability, while maintaining and improving our overall working and learning environment, advising and educating library administrators and staff. Resources include such items as paper, printing and copier use; energy--lighting, PC's, heating and cooling; cleaning supplies and chemicals; office supplies; recycling and waste reduction; parking and transportation; noise; and general design issues that have an ecological impact.

RECYCLING

REDUCE / REUSE

OUTREACH

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

MONTHLY REPORTS

PUSHBACK

• Recent debate about energy consumption of drinking vessels

• Styrene cups are unhealthy: hot liquids quicken leaching of styrene monomer

• Many staff don’t want to change from styrene cups

• LEC is consulting with MSUL administration

ADAPTABILITY OF THE MSU LEC MODEL

• Successful for MSUL

• Most of its activities could be mandated from top-down

• LEC “headless structure” generates members’ enthusiasm and long-lasting staff buy-in

• Takes time to develop

QUESTIONS???