Going Green in the Library: Its Not Just for Contractors Michael Crumpton, UNC Greensboro Sarah B. Dorsey, UNC Greensboro Ameet D. Doshi, Georgia Perimeter College Mary G. Scanlon, Wake Forest University Beth Filar Williams, UNC Greensboro

Topics Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Operations & Maintenance Transportation Communication Politics & Pay

Reduce Paper

Switch to Digital Resources

Think ILL Free Online Journals

Is your printer set for automatic double-sided printing? 1.Yes 2.No 3.Not sure

Reduce energy

Reduce Purchases … & be FREE!

Reuse, Recycle Do well by doing good

Reuse One staff party can produce bags and bags of garbage containing: – Paper plates and napkins – Plastic (styrene) cups and utensils – Plastic table coverings – food waste The recycling potential for these materials is minimal, at best.

Reuse Alternatives? – Buy a set of real silverware at Goodwill – Buy a set of real dishes at the Habitat store – Buy a fabric table cloth – Encourage people to bring their own cups and glasses to meetings and parties

Recycling Patron waste Library material

Does Your Library Have a Recycling Program? 1.Yes 2.No 3.Not Sure

What Does Your Library Recycle? 1.Paper 2.Cardboard 3.Glass 4.Aluminum/metal 5.Plastic 6.Electronics 7.Other 8.Nothing

Recycling Patron Waste Our Experience Increase participation, decrease contamination: Put containers where patrons are Offer recycling and trash containers together

Recycling Library Material Paper: books, newspapers… Packaging material: cardboard, chipboard E-waste: computers, batteries

Recycling Library Material What to do with weeded books? Used book sale aLibris Better World Books Donate to another non-profits – public library – womens shelter Remove hard covers and recycle paper

Recycling Library Material What to do with used packaging? Use large envelopes for campus mail Ship ILL materials in used boxes Reuse packing material – peanuts, bubble wrap Recycle any cardboard or chipboard that cant be reused

Recycling Library Material What to do with e-waste? Send to a re-builder: RetroBox, FreeGeek Donate to local technical college to practice repairs Bring to Goodwill

Landfills are Big Business

Only new construction can earn LEED certification. 1.True 2.False

Operations and Maintenance

Transportation

Tips for Saving Gas 1.Plan ahead and combine as many errands into one trip as possible. 2.Inflate your tires to the proper setting. 3.Don't speed, and avoid quick acceleration. 4.Avoid excessive idling. 5.Change air and fuel filters periodically. 6.Buy your gas during the coolest part of the day. 7.Tune up your engine. 8.Use the right engine oil.

How do you commute to work? 1.Bike 2.Bus 3.Car alone 4.Carpool 5.Telecommute 6.Train 7.Walk

Has your library screened a film on sustainability? 1.Yes 2.No 3.Not sure

Has your library organized a sustainable book group? 1.Yes 2.No 3.Not sure

Green Campus or Community Portal

Do you use paperless collaboration tools? 1.Frequently 2.Occasionally 3.Hmmm, once maybe 4.Never

Are You Engaged in Sustainable Activities in Your Library? 1.Yes – with the librarys approval 2.Yes, but not with the librarys support 3.No

The Green Library Resources – Print, electronic, Web 2.0 – Wayfinders, research guides, training Facilities – Campus hub – Shared reasons to visit Staffing – Common vision

Key Elements of Greening Up Awareness Education Action

What are the Risks? Established patterns Existing equipment What are the Barriers? The way weve always done it! Motives/Incentives

Who are your partners? Dont be isolated. Whats going on in your community? What impact does your higher organizations recycling efforts have on YOU? With what other organizations can you partner?

Changing Behaviors Not easy!

Learning Theory Methods Positive reinforcement Positive punishment Negative reinforcement Negative punishment Use a combination of methods to change behavior – yours, your co-workers and your institutions.

Behavior-Related Myths Can Block Long-lasting Change Crisis is a powerful impetus for change Change is motivated by fear The facts will set us free Small, gradual changes are always easier to make and sustain We can't change because our brains become "hardwired" early in life

Paying the Price Apply for Grants Get Donors interested Collaborate with other organizations Share with community organizations

Greening Your Library tionInnovationCelebration Facebook group = greenlibrary