The Green Library Planner: What Every Librarian Needs to Know Before Starting to Build or Renovate

Abstract

The librarian who is fortunate enough to be embarking on the construction of a new library space or renovation of an older library would not find a more comprehensive and thorough book than The Green Library Planner: What Every Librarian Needs to Know Before Starting to Build or Renovate, nor a more qualified author than Mary M. Carr, a librarian for forty years and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)–accredited professional. Aside from websites and articles, this title is a unique reference on the topic of green building. Each of the eight chapters in this thoroughly researched book includes background information on the chapter's topic, explaining in layperson's terms the importance of the concept to be discussed. For instance, the “Energy and Lighting” chapter discusses where energy comes from, climate change, types of energy, and heat transfer before delving into how a building can be designed to have a sustainable energy system. Also included are easy-to-copy checklists to use while decisions are made during the planning and implementation processes. Each chapter concludes with a series of questions and space for project notes. The above referenced chapter asks the question: “How will the functional and the physiological needs of your employees and patrons factor into the library's energy system design?” (p. 46). The “Notes” following each chapter are comprehensive and inclusive, and the “Resources” are annotated for easy reference. The overall content of The Green Library Planner focuses on building sustainable library communities and considering economy, environment, and social equity in the process. The author begins by explaining the fundamentals of sustainable building in the first chapter and follows with a discussion of the sense of place that is distinctive to libraries whether a patron is doing research, checking email, or simply seeking a quiet space. Various types of tools are recommended throughout the book for help in decision making. Green Footstep, a carbon emissions tool developed by the Rocky Mountain Institute, is referenced in “The Importance of Place” chapter. This tool is helpful in understanding a building's potential effect on climate change and emphasizes the importance of connecting all phases of building from design to operation. Whenever necessary, the author includes definitions of terms that may be unfamiliar to librarians. The “Green Materials” chapter provides complete explanations for terms such as embodied energy, greenwashing, life cycle analysis, and pre-consumer recycled material. Also included in this chapter is an annotated and comprehensive list of directories, standards, and certifications that may be useful when researching green materials for a library construction project. Beyond discussing the library construction project itself, the author emphasizes the importance of green building design. The “Indoor Environmental Quality” chapter lists the benefits of green building to library staff and patrons as improved health and mood as well as increased productivity. In turn, the benefits to the library's bottom line include decreased absenteeism, lower turnover in staffing, and improved stakeholder relationships. Carr's expertise is evident throughout the book, making the librarian aware of the potential impact of each decision in the construction process. She points out that the level of occupancy of the library space can and does affect the air quality within the space. Water, a seemingly simple concept, is explained in detail to show the potential impact that a building can have on surrounding areas. Sustainable water solutions such as low-flush toilets and xeriscaping are discussed. The book concludes with a discussion of commissioning, a relatively new concept. Commissioning is a collaborative process that ensures that the library functions and operates as intended to be a truly green library. The Green Library Planner proves to be a valuable resource for any librarian who is an integral part of or simply desires to understand the process of building or renovating a library so that it is sustainable for the future.