Creating a Green Environment @ your library
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17-Oct-2014 -
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Presented at Southwest Workshop Days in Durango CO October 2009: Sustainability, or going green, is more than a buzz word but the way we must all embrace the future to meet the triple bottom line: equity, the economy and the environment. Libraries are meant to be the center of their schools, campuses, and communities drawing together diverse entities & disciplines, acting as catalysts for exploration and as models for their community. This session will explore the politics, behaviors and partnerships required for libraries to influence, educate and model the idea of going green. Some tips on how to get started on going green will also be shared and discussed
Transcript of Creating a Green Environment @ your library
Outline:
Intro & icebreakerOverview of global issueConnecting it to LibrariesBehaviors & HabitsGetting People on BoardAction PlanResources & Conclusions
Icebreaker
Climate –Energy Crisis
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US is about 5% of the world's population … yet uses about 25% of the energy resources consumed a year.
Energy Information Administration and U.S. EPA
Conserve natural resources
before they are gone
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2.68 lbs/person/day (1960)
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4.6 lbs/person/day (2006)
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4.6 lbs/person/day (2006)
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Sustainability
Why green libraries?
save energy = save earth = save money
Libraries Use Energy
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Healthier Environment
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Model Behavior
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Educate
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Behaviors & Habits
Behavior is something you do; an action you take.
Habits are formed by practice
Changing Behaviors
• Positive/+ Reinforcement – reward individuals for “green” actions.
• Positive /+ Punishment - suffer consequences of poor “green” habits.
• Negative /- Reinforcement –negative condition stopped when behavior changes.
• Negative /- Punishment – take away the temptations of poor green habits.
Barriers
• The way we’ve always done it! • Motivation/Incentives (why should I?)• Infrastructure can’t support• Can’t do one, why do all?• Nothing to compare to• Let the experts figure it out• Start-up capital
Changing people's behavior:
• Why is change so incredibly difficult for people?
• What is it about how our brains are wired that resists change so tenaciously?
• Why do we fight even what we know to be in our own vital interests?
1. Crisis is a powerful impetus for change
2. Change is motivated by fear
3. The facts will set us free
4. Small, gradual changes are always easier to make and sustain
5. We can't change because our brains become "hardwired" early in life
Behavior Changing Myths:
How to get started?
Existing Resources & Practices
Creating a Greener LibraryStart w/ your administration, board, principal.
Survey your users. Hold forums.
Form a Green Library(School) Committee.
Develop statistics to make your arguments.
Find partners.
Who are your partners?
– What is going on in your community?
– What impact do they & your higher organization have on you?
– Who can you collaborate with in your community?
Green Library Committee
Include administration, students/patrons, trustees, housekeeping, etc.
Get the word out Collect existing informationConduct facility walkthrough Talk with all staff: educate and learnSet specific goalsTrack your progress and celebrate successes
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an artistic method of recycling weeded books:
The following photos are courtesy of Kimberly Hopkins, independent library consultant.
Altered Books
Gift bags from book covers
By suzanne metcalf http://greeningyourlibrary.wordpress.com/2009/05/19/book-jackets-into-gift-bags/
