Greening …

Returning to UIUC (University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign) after 3 days in Chicago, it is possible to see the first signs of Spring! The lawns have taken on a tinge of green, the bulbs are shooting with some snowdrops flowering and surprisingly even a bird or two in the trees!
Awareness of green issues is apparent everywhere. The Illinois Neighborly News admonishes us to “reduce, reuse, recycle”. Bins on the campus support recycling of plastics and other materials. Maintenance of grounds and open spaces is also very conscious of the impact of man on the environment.

It is not surprising then that we have encountered greening in the design of library buildings. The Champaign public library uses full length windows to introduce lots of natural light into the building. With efficient glass and sun shading structures on the south and west walls, the internal temperature is controlled which improves energy consumption. The hardwood floors are made from quick growing timber, sensors turn on lights only when needed and many trees have been planted in the parking area.

The library Information Commons at Loyola University also displays an interesting range of very sophisticated green features. This silver LEED certified building boasts a design which halves energy consumption by using a double-skin façade. The windows, dampers, shades and blinds respond to climate data and adjust automatically. Apparently the concrete slab ceilings regulate temperature too. Water from the existing campus facilities is used to heat or cool the building and the green roof absorbs rainwater thus reducing run-off into Lake Michigan. This building “learns” and is constantly improving its efficiency. Even the carpet tiles are made from recycled content!

We are shortly to make our way to the ACRL conference in Seattle which has a green initiative. The ACRL aims to make this their greenest conference ever, by improving their environmental footprint through active recycling and waste reduction strategies.