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These are slides from a presentation that my colleague and I gave during the 2010 Illinois Association of College and Research Libraries (IACRL) Conference. We examine practical, low-cost ways to make libraries more sustainable and environmentally friendly. In a time of shrinking endowments and reduced budgets can libraries really hope to make an impact on a global problem like climate change? In this presentation Illinois Wesleyan University librarians Meg Miner and Chris Sweet will argue that not only can libraries play a significant role in furthering campus sustainability but that dwindling budgets can actually be a catalyst for positive environmental changes. Miner and Sweet are both members of the Illinois Wesleyan GREENetwork and will draw upon their personal experiences in campus environmental efforts for this presentation; they will offer practical ideas for implementing “green” library initiatives that benefit budgets as well as the environment. Reducing printing costs, examining equipment RFPs, and conducting computer power management and energy audits are just a few of the technological steps library personnel can take. Approaches to changing behavior with a goal of affecting campus culture will also be discussed.
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Going Green to Save Some Green
IACRL Conference
3/25/10
Meg Miner and Chris Sweet
Ames Library, Illinois Wesleyan University
“We are in the middle of one of those rare moments when the right thing to do is also the economically smart thing to do.”
Kathleen Schatzberg, President, Cape Cod Community College
Our Green backgrounds
Goals for this presentation
Chris’s portion: things/tangibles
Meg’s portion: behaviors/intangibles
College and University Sustainability Agreements
Tailloires Declaration University Leaders for a Sustainable Future 1990, International in scope 350 signatories in 40 countries
American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment 2006, US-based, 670 signatories Provides a framework and resources to help
implement comprehensive sustainability plans
College and University Sustainability Agreements
Illinois Sustainable University Compact 12 specific sustainability goals Agreement is for each institution to
accomplish some of these goals by Dec. 2010 77 Illinois Colleges and Universities have
signed Leveraging these agreements to forward
green library initiatives
Illinois Community College Sustainability Network
2007: All Illinois Community Colleges Meet new green economy needs *Share resources state-wide that provide
and promote energy education and sustainable practices
*Model renewable energy technology on community college campuses
Tangibles: Paper Conservation
Recycled paper? What percentage? Paper towels? Toilet paper?
Re-using single sided paper Recycling bins
Where are they? How well are they labeled? Other types of recycling
Printers and Copiers
Automatic Duplexing? Paper tray locks Ink quality settings Energy Star certified? Copiers: scan to e-mail/pdf option Solid ink (Xerox Only)
Green RFPs
Much can be accomplished by implementing Green RFPs Energy Star requirements Duplex capable printers and copiers Energy efficient PCs and monitors Small scale: wired vs. wireless mice
Green Interlibrary Loan
Huge potential due to large amount of paper used and shipping (environmental and monetary)
New OCLC ILL study Worked with an environmental consulting firm Packaging, shipping and waste Borrowing profiles (go local!) Reusable or recyclable packaging Electronic delivery whenever possible
Time to Eat!
Ensure that the staff lounge has reusable cups, utensils and plates.
Meetings, parties, conferences: reduce amount of packaging, individual bottles of water/soda, whenever possible
Going Green to Save Some Green
The Intangibles
Motivation
Feeling good vs. doing good
Increased income “In sum, the available evidence is consistent in
suggesting that a significant, and likely growing, proportion of prospective students are making decisions about where to apply and attend based on campus sustainability performance.”
-- Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
What We Know
Topics for Community Education Paper and toner conservation
• Document settings Default margins Default 2-up
• Print quotas Library/labs only? … Offices? Education + focus on cost recovery and/or limits
• E-reserves opportunities
What We Know
Energy and water conservation Energy audits
• Outsourcing can save 20%• Possible economy of scale factor
In-house options• Equipment power setting• Reusable ink cartridges• Staff incentives/concerns• Temperature settings
Question:
We know a lot, but what do we show?
Become VISIBLE!
What We Can Do
Methods for communication Surveys Exhibits EcoTours @ Your Library Workshops/Brown Bags News outlets Campus involvement
Wrapping Up
Good will
+
Good policies
=
Good budget impact
Take Action!
One of the best things you can do to enhance library sustainability is to create a library green action plan.
For more information on the topics we mentioned, please visit: http://libguides.iwu.edu/greenlibrary
