West Vancouver Memorial Library



	Sustainability

Our Library Board, Administration, Foundation and Staff are working together to reduce the library's ecological footprint and contribute to sustainable solutions.

Sustainability accounts for the environmental consequences of community and economic activities that meet our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.


	50% of Library Staff are Green Commuters!

	A survey of West Vancouver Memorial Library staff's alternative commuting habits was conducted in August of 2009. It was found that 50 % of all trips to and from the Library were made by an alternative to the single occupancy vehicle. The ecologically-sensitive commuting methods used by Library staff include walking, cycling, public transportation and carpooling. View our Green Commuting Posters. [PDF].

	Staff Green Team

	The Staff Green Team brought together staff members who were making sustainable changes in our library. We organize Earth Day events and programs, and work on greening everything in our library from paint to transportation.

	West Vancouver Memorial Library Board Green Committee

	The Library Board's Green Committee was convened at the Board meeting of May 21, 2008. The Committee meets quarterly to discuss plans, policies and operations as they pertain to environmental sustainability. One of the Board's main focuses for 2010 is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification process. The Library has registered its intention to apply for LEED status for existing buildings with the Canadian Building Council. We are currently in the testing phase of the process and expect to complete it early this summer.

	West Vancouver Memorial Library Foundation

	The Library Foundation has generously funded an Energy Efficiency Building Assessment for the Library which will form the basis of future infrastructure replacements and asset maintenance planning. It is also through the Foundation's support and funding that we have been able to embark on the process of achieving LEED certification.

	Green Programs and Booklists

	To celebrate Earth Week we hold programs and events for adults and children including: Posters to promote recycling A reusable Earth Week banner Story-times with a green theme Environmental films and exhibits Displays Our collection of books on sustainable topics such as carbon footprint, green cleaning techniques and water-wise gardening is growing. We also loan energy meters for you to measure the amount of energy your home appliances are consuming. To read more on these topics, please see our booklists: Save Our Planet [PDF] and Global Warming [PDF].

	Green Practices at our Library

	We take individual and institutional actions to: reduce our garbage and recycle everything from styrofoam to electronics. conserve water and energy source and use greener office and cleaning supplies conserve energy and water A survey of West Vancouver Memorial Library staff's alternative commuting habits was conducted in August of 2009. It was found that 50 % of all trips to and from the Library were made by an alternative to the single occupancy vehicle. The ecologically-sensitive commuting methods used by Library staff include walking, cycling, public transportation and carpooling. Learn more about the ecologically-friendly practices at the West Vancouver Memorial Library here [PDF]. Looking for green maintenance suppliers, office suppliers, a beyond-the-blue-box recycling company, and recycling signage template examples? Try here [PDF]. More information on our ongoing committment to sustainability can be found in our Green Building Operations Policy. [PDF].

	Managing Our Power Consumption with Pulse Energy

	Energy conservation is one of our goals - but it presents challenges in an older building. One way to enable conservation is to closely monitor electricity consumption. To help us do this, we have teamed up with Pulse Energy. Their web-based energy management software allows us to track our consumption by the month, day and even by the minute. By monitoring our consumption, we can quickly fix energy-wasting problems thereby reducing our environmental footprint and our costs. View our dashboard.

	Green Dreams

	The Library is aiming to achieve LEED Existing Building certificate status by the end of 2010. We will participate in the District of West Vancouver's Climate Action Initiatives in order to achieve the environmental obligations laid out in the British Columbia Climate Action Charter, and help the Province of BC to meet its Energy Plan targets. Plans are afoot to acquire a workplace bicycle that staff members use during their workday and on their breaks for business and leisure as an alternative to driving.

	We are here to help...

	Whether you are looking for local recycling information, or researching global climate change, ask us, or start with our Info by Topic page on Environment and Sustainability.

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