Green Your Library With These Go Green Websites

Libraries have been on a green path for years. And like snowflakes, each one is unique with respect to their goals and the progress they’ve made toward them. Some libraries have already achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification while others are just forming their first green committee or team. But no mater where a library is on the continuum, thankfully there are lots of valuable resources and connections already in play available for any library staff member interested in learning more about this important issue.

Below is a list of some library web sites and blogs that I unearthed recently that you may want on check out. Please note that due to the current state of the economy, some of these are kept more up to date than others but that does not diminish each one’s value. There are precious nuggets of information in each and every one of them especially if you, like me, prefer not having to reinvent the wheel to set and subsequently accomplish your library’s green goals.

Going Green—This collection of information on environmental organizations, financial resources, green buildings, and green programs was formerly the green blog of Alliance Library System in East Peoria, Illinois. It’s now maintained by Suzanne Baschieri as a personal blog.

Green Stacks—the website of San Francisco Public Library’s Wallace Stegner Environmental Center. It includes green programming information, resources, interviews, and booklists in five languages.

West Vancouver (British Columbia) Memorial Library’s Sustainability Page highlights green commuting, programming, and the library’s sustainability-related efforts.

Eco-Action, Calgary (Alberta) Public Library’s green blog, covers a variety of topics, and many posts include recommendations of related resources.

Burbank (Calif.) Public Library Green Pages regularly features library and local events and resources.

(Laura Bruzas - American Libraries Direct, September 29, 2010)