Roselle library launches 'Going Green' effort

With steps big and small, officials at the Roselle Public Library said they are moving toward one goal: reducing the library's footprint on the planet.

The library this month launched its Going Green Campaign, which will look at ways both library staff and patrons can make eco-friendly changes.

"Even though we are still a taxing body, the library board looks at the library as a citizen of the community and, like any other citizen, we should do our part," said Patty Martucci, a Roselle library trustee.

Going Green is being led by Lisa Poignant, the library's executive director. She helped oversee the construction of a "green" library in downstate Chillicothe, where she worked before coming to Roselle last January. The new building boasted a geothermal heating an cooling system, a corn-burning fireplace and prairie grasslands surrounding the grounds.

Although Roselle isn't constructing a new building, Poignant said there still are many changes that can be implemented, including updating the library's heating and cooling system for energy efficiency and switching from regular light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs.

The library is in the process of eliminating the use of Styrofoam cups for its daily free morning coffee events. Reusable mugs with the library logo are being sold, and patrons are welcome to bring their own mugs.

As for those who still long for disposable cups, they should consider their drawbacks, Poignant said.

"We looked at paper cups," she said. "But the problem is they use wax coating that is not recyclable.

"So you think you're doing something good but you're really not," Poignant added. "And while Styrofoam is technically recyclable, you need so much of it that it's really not practical."

Other possible future changes include creating a garden roof or installing solar panels on the building, although Poignant said such moves would be "down the line." Currently, however, the library is looking at other smaller steps like unplugging unused electronics and doing an energy audit of the building.

Some patrons are even incorporating the new Going Green theme into a "Toss Us a Catchphrase" logo contest, which the library is sponsoring through Oct. 11. The contest seeks art, words or both to describe the library now, what it can be in the future and what it means to residents.

Trustee Martucci said residents who don't enter the contest can also help the campaign by simply using recycling bins or pointing out air leaks.

"It's their library, so we want them to be our partners in this," Martucci said.

For details, visit roselle.lib.il.us.