Greening Libraries

by Monika Antonelli (Editor)

Book by

270 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book on how libraries and library-adjacent topics need to become greener, environmentally friendlier, and more sustainable. Various authors discuss topics such as the LEED certification process, transforming historic buildings into something more eco-friendly, and library conferences and the amount of waste they produce. All of these various means work towards a greener library, though to the extent of which library can do what varies.

Overall, if you’re looking to make your library more eco-friendly, or if your library has gotten approved for renovations, this is definitely a book to look into. Yes, what matters is making our buildings greener, but what matters more is making them more sustainable–creating less waste, more opportunity, and an overall better impact on our environment and communities.

Review cross-listed here!

[Marissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book contains many case studies, essays and annotated collections of writings on libraries going green, becoming sustainable or embracing environmental programming. The main sections of the book are "Green Buildings," "Green Committees, Services and Programs," and "Green Resources and Reflections." The first two sections were very specific in their messages and were mostly based on successful case studies of how libraries made their buildings more sustainable or got their staff on board with green initiatives. There's a really helpful chapter on how even if your library is a historic building, there are still ways you can become more green or even improve the energy/water efficiency of the building. The last section, I felt, could have been organized better. One chapter was just an annotated explanation of green/environmental talks that were given at the ALA Annual Conferences each year. This would have been placed better at the beginning of the third section (Green Resources and Reflections). Another chapter was just an annotated list of green resources- this would have done well at the end after some of the reflection essays.

Overall, this book would be a good beginning resource for a librarian trying to improve sustainability or outdoor-orientation at their library. But it is not the end-all and be-all of green guides. Some of the chapters were written better than others, and some put me to sleep. There was helpful information like green/environmentally friendly cleaning products and explanations of the LEED certification process. It would have been helpful if information or tips on winning over reluctant staff or boards who don't see being green as being important. And with so many case studies on building LEED Platinum or Gold buildings, they could have included some writing on successful outdoor programs or ways librarians are reconnecting people to nature. It's one thing to "greenify" everything, use recycled paper and low-flush toilets. But I think it's equally worth-while to reconnect people with nature to remind them what we're protecting when we make all these changes in the library.