Green Libraries

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