Congratulations to Christine H. King, Director of the Willingboro Public Library. The library was recognized for its innovation in remediating a brownfield site and serving as the anchor for future retail stores, open space, and an art gallery and was awarded the “2008 Philadelphia Sustainability Award.”

 ”The creation of a new Town Center (Park, amphitheater, fountain, Public Library) founded on a community consensus sustainable initiative and realized over a five-year period by a Town Council with minimal resources at hand is a powerful leadership lesson. The transformation of auto-centric, suburban, single-use projects to multi-purpose, diverse, secure and community centered environments promises the best of possible futures within the Greater Philadelphia urban influence area.”

I want to commend Christine King on this accomplishment, and if you are thinking of going green, you must tour this beautiful, green building.

For more information see the full article.

I have been doing a great deal of thinking about the suggestions made by my “Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Libraries,” presented at the NJLA Conference May 1, 2008.

 One of the primary recommendations of the panel is that libraries need to think green.  Buildings must be designed with green principles and sustainability in mind.  I know, I can hear you thinking: “Sure, I’d love to go green, but who can afford it?”  I’ve been thinking about that as well, and I may have an answer.

The Kresge Foundation has a “Green Buildings Initiative,” which awards planning grants from $50,000 to $100,000 to institutions in the United States.  For specific information, see the Kresge site.

Need more inspiration?  Just look at these beautiful library buildings, each named as one of the “Top Ten Green Projects” by the American Institute of Architects.  The Cesar Chavez Library  in Laveen, AZ made the 2008 top ten; the Ballard Library in Seattle made the 2006 top ten list. 

      Ballard Branch Library

Cesar Chavez Library