Library Sustainability Initiatives
Borrowing vs. Consuming
Libraries support sustainability in their communities by promoting borrowing instead of consuming and by providing free print and electronic materials to borrow.
The library works to incorporate sustainable practices in new and updated spaces.
Landscaping Project
The project will take place at 19 libraries to enhance the beauty and safety of the outdoor environments.
Phase 4 Libraries (May – December, 2021)
- Austin Davis Public Library
- Charles J. Fendig Public Library
- Seffner Mango Branch Library
- 78th Street Community Library
Sustainability measures
- Addition of Florida-native and/or drought-tolerant plants
- Addition of shade trees
- Upgrade of irrigation systems to “smart” systems that will sense when and how much watering is needed
Completed Libraries
- Bloomingdale Regional Public Library
- Brandon Regional Library
- Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library
- Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library
- John F. Germany Public Library
- Lutz Branch Library
- Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library
- New Tampa Regional Library
- North Tampa Branch Library
- Port Tampa City Library
- Seminole Heights Branch Library
- SouthShore Regional Library
- Thonotosassa Branch Library
- Town 'N Country Regional Public Library
- West Tampa Branch Library
Lighting Upgrade Project
All library lighting systems have been upgraded to LED systems to benefit the environment.
Annual Environmental Impact of Lighting Upgrade for One Building
Changing your lights can benefit the environment!
Coal burning avoided
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission reduction
Equivalent acres of forest added
Equivalent # cars removed from road
Atmospheric mercury contamination avoided
Nitrogen oxide (NO, NO2) reduction
Solar Panels
Monitor energy output from the solar installations. The Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library was the first library installed with solar panels in 2018.
Seven additional locations have since been upgraded with solar panels installations.
Locations
- Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library
- Bloomingdale Regional Public Library
- Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library
- North Tampa Branch Library
- Riverview Public Library
- Seffner-Mango Branch Library
- Seminole Heights Branch Library
- SouthShore Regional Library
- Town 'N Country Regional Public Library
Electric Car Charging Stations
Access easy to use electric vehicle charging station at Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library. The station was installed as part of a U.S. Department of Energy grant in 2012.
Learn about ChargePoint
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Energy Demand for 2018
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Greenhouse Gas Saved
Water Bottle Refill Stations
Stay hydrated, save money and reduce plastic waste by using eco-friendly water bottle filling stations at many libraries.
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Plastic Water Bottles Saved
Coworking and Meeting Space
Share resources while working and collaborating in the library’s coworking and meeting spaces.
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Meeting Room Uses (FY19)
Sustainable Practices
Materials
- Easily access digital resources for online learning and research.
- Download or stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, music, and magazines.
Paper Reduction
- Choose to receive an emailed checkout receipt.
- Sign up for a library card online.
- Submit a meeting spaces application online.
Copy/Print/Scan/Fax Services
- Take advantage of copy, print, scan, and fax services at all locations.
- The library buys toner in recyclable cartridges and properly disposes them.
Partnerships
Electronic Shred Events
Attend an electronics shredding event held in partnership with Urban E Recycling. Hard drives, cell phones, tablets, and other approved devices are shredded securely and then recycled.
Cooking Oil Recycling
To support the recycling of cooking oil, the library has partnered with Hillsborough County Public Utilities and the C.O.R.E. program at nine library locations.
Educational Classes
Attend a class on recycling or water conservation offered in partnership with Hillsborough County Extension Service and the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Further Reading
Hillsborough County
Full text articles on environmental topics including green building, recycling, and renewable energy.