The document discusses green libraries and their importance. It outlines some of the health hazards of air pollution and how libraries can help address this issue by operating in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. Some key initiatives for green libraries discussed include using renewable energy sources, conserving water and materials, reducing waste, and ensuring good indoor air quality. Examples are given of high-profile libraries around the world that have implemented green practices and initiatives.

1. Introduction
AIIMS PID 170560
Breathe Life in Libraries: Towards Green Libraries
Sangeeta Narang
Librarian Grade-I, BB Dikshit Library, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-29
E-mail: narang.sangeeta@yahoo.co.in
In the early days of November 2017, the national capital, New
Delhi, and its neighboring areas saw dense smog hovering over the
region. The pollution level increased to an alarming level. Air
Quality Index (AQI) was from ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’
category. This deterioration in air quality caught public attention
and is a matter of great public health concern. Indian Medical
Association declared the condition as Public Health Emergency.
Health Hazards
As per a major study published in the medical journal The
Lancet, 2.5 million people died because of pollution in India in
2015. The exposure to poor air quality causes short-term eye,
nose and throat irritation as well as headaches, dizziness and
fatigue. The increased level of air pollutants show high
incidents of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD), lung cancer, anxiety, stroke, and heart problems
leading to death worldwide.
Libraries as Living Lab
Libraries provide safe environment for readers to study, engage,
share and collaborate with individuals from varied backgrounds. It
addresses their information needs and provide the required
services.
Libraries are hub of exciting activities. They are nerve center that
bring fast and convenient access to resources, present smart
space for incubation of ideas, offer state-of- the-art tools and
technologies, serve as data centers for management of varied
resources.
About Green Libraries
A green / sustainable library is designed to minimize negative impact on the natural environment and maximize indoor environmental quality by means of careful site selection, use of natural construction materials
and biodegradable products, conservation of resources and responsible waste disposal. -Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science
A green library takes care of the environment, health and well-being of those who work in it and patronize it. They provide comfort to the readers at reduced energy cost.
Green Library Initiatives
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a widely used rating system that evaluates the environmental performance of a building and encourage market transformation towards sustainable
designs. Worldwide national governments, many associations and institutions are engaged in research, and developing toolkits, applications and policy documents to protect environment from adverse effects of
pollution.
Many libraries maintain special collection on green building design. The exclusive books and journals on green libraries are available, the websites, blogs, research papers are written to inform readers about the
influence and impact of climate change. Libraries organizes events to raise awareness about climate change, the best green building design awards are conferred to promote green lifestyle in many countries .
Tianjin Binhai LibraryCesar Chavez Library Berkeley Public Library
Ideal conditions for Green Libraries
Libraries in Delhi favor many green operations which is though
embedded in their roles but much ignored starting from content
creation to distribution and access. There is need to rethink
procedures on acquisition of library materials, use of library
resources, medium of library tickets, use and disposal facilities,
weeding out policies, Inter Library Loan facilities, storing library
materials. There is a requirement for library building renovation to
suit different user needs in most libraries.
Environmental changes influences survival of all living species.
Reversing the trend and repairing climate damage is possible
when everybody make efforts to protect environment.
Libraries are the long term investment. Construction of green
library building and operations encourage healthy environment
and ensure well-being of its users and people around.
• Landrigan PJ, Fuller R, Acosta NJR, Adeyi O, Arnold R, Basu N (Nil), et al. The Lancet
Commission on pollution and health. The Lancet [Internet]. 2017 Oct [cited 2017 Nov
25]; Available from: http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0140673617323450
• http://www.who.int/sustainable-development/news-events/breath-
life/en/
• http://www.libraryofbirmingham.com/article/designandconstruction/greenlibrary
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_library
• http://www.ala.org/tools/green-libraries
• http://www.greenlibraries.org/home
Library of Birmingham
High-Profile Green Libraries
Public Library Charlotte and
Mecklenburg County
Fayetteville Public Library Minneapolis Central Library Seattle Public LibraryChinese University of Hong KongEast Baton Rouge Parish Library
Santa Monica Public Library Vancouver Public Library National Library, Singapore
Library-Fujimoto
Merced Kolligian Library
Source: Google ImagesSustainable site selection
and development
Choosing an eco-friendly site
Reuse and recycle of
building materials.
Landscape and garden
development
Green roof and vegetation
plantation
Energy efficiency
A photovoltaic system capable of heating, cooling, natural
ventilation and hot water supply to reduce energy dependence
Pair daylight with artificial lighting to reduce cost
Use of energy efficient fittings
Automatic lighting controls, the glazing facades
Less use of electrical appliances , switch off lights and fans
when not in use, sensors for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, acoustics,
microphone, light measurement, smoke detection, camera, Li-Fi
reduces energy loss in the buildings.
Water conservation
Intelligent adjustments in water
outflow device, fittings of low flow
faucets in toilets, reuse of waste
water released from water filters for
watering plants and mopping
floors. The rain water harvesting
for future needs, and regular
monitoring helps to conserve water
Material conservation and waste
reduction
Encourage electronic
communication, printing only when
needed preferably in double sided
sheets, wooden flooring are
biodegradable and eco-friendly,
mandatory segregation of waste,
proper disposal policies helps in
waste reduction
Indoor air quality
Monitors
Modern libraries are
airtight buildings.
CO2 monitors
installed in the
libraries ensure
that air gets
recycled and does
not stay stagnant
Transportation
Special parking for
cycles & low-
emitting and fuel-
efficient vehicles.
Use of electric
vehicles offers a
better solution for a
green campus.
Anna Centenary Library
NACLIN 2017
Green Library Operations Conclusion References