With the advancement of science and technology our life style is changing at a greater pace. Today, the demand for various products and goods is increasing rapidly, and we are harnessing the power to fulfil our ceaseless demands. In this scenario people are forgetting something important, which should be recognised before focusing on sustainable development in this faste changing world. It is nothing but the word Green, which is of a great significance for a healthy survival. We have observed that over the past few years there has emerged a growing interest towards a green revolution in almost every sector and library is one of them. Today, libraries serve as gateways for knowledge and are particularly responsible not only for disseminating knowledge but also for leading the country.
Libraries of today should incorporate green elements into their operations. In fact, there are several reasons why libraries should incorporate green features into their buildings. It is vital for the health of library users and the Mother Earth on which people live.
Concept
There is no univocal definition of the term ‘Green Library. ‘ It refers to the overall library operations and the ibrary building. The concept ,therefore, seems to be very comprehensive. In simple words, ‘Green Library’ is nothing but an environment friendly or eco-library.
‘Green’ or ‘Sustainable Libraries’ are the structures that is designed, built, renovated, operated, or reused in an ecological and resource efficient manner. The Online Dictionary of Library and Information Science (ODLIS) defines a ‘Green Library’ or ‘Sustainable Library’ as “A library designed to minimizs negative impact on the natural environment and to maximise the indoor environmental quality by means of careful site selection; natural construction materials, biodegradable products; and conservation of resources like water, energy, paper. It requires a productive waste disposal recycling system; Basically, Green Libraries are apart of the larger green building movement. The ‘Sustainable Libraries’ known as the ‘Green Libraries’are being built all over the world, with many high profile projects bringing the concept into the mainstream.
Many people consider the library to have a unique role in the green building movement due to its altruistic mission, public and pedagogical nature. To sum up, it can be said that the green library can be pictured’ as a ‘Environment Friendly Library’ or ‘Sustainable Library’.
Features
Basically, a Green Library is ch an aracterised as environment friendly library or sustainable library. And every Green Library necessarily possesses certain essential features such as a proper location or most suitable site and recycled and regionally available materials. Moreover , such libraries require the reflective roof and ground, the insulating windows, conservation of resources like water, energy, and paper and energy- efficient lighting minimising system , suitable plants both inside and outside of the building and the circulation of fresh and healthy air.
Basically, the ‘Green Library Movement’ has emerged in the early 1990s and is gradually gaining popularity in the field of library and information science. Many of the library professionals are working to uplift Green Libraries which will use natural and regional construction materials to minimise consumption of water and electricity. Significantly, Green Libraries use environment friendly technology. Though it is somewhat in the initial stages of development, we need to understand that green or sustainable library is the structure designed, built, renovated, operated, or reused in an ecological and resource efficient manner. There is a wide range of ways to promote the idea of a Green Library.
