The Claire T. Carney Library contributes to the campus-wide urban sustainability initiative by providing research assistance, instruction and collection development services to meet the information needs of the project. Librarians provide general reference assistance to library patrons in person, on the telephone and electronically through email and instant messaging in related fields.
In addition, the library is committed to broadening the access of information using sustainable and renewable practices. Collection development activities include evaluating the print and electronic resources both serial and monographic and recommends purchasing relevant electronic equivalent resources when available to meet research needs. Through various digitization projects the library has converted numerous journal and book titles to the more accessible electronic format. Many areas of the existing print collection have been digitally archived for public use and the print volumes then re-directed for resale or storage.
To minimize the environmental impact of discarding and withdrawing books with outdated content, the library has partnered with a large book redirection effort. Over the past two years the library has shipped approximately 6,000 volumes to Better World Books. This organization works with libraries to promote sustainability by re-selling and recycling and donating library discards at a net profit to libraries. Twenty-two percent of our discards have been resold or re-directed to international non-profits. Reuse of discarded books greatly reduces the environmental impact of disposal or recycling. Books not reused by this organization, about seventy-eight percent, are recycled. This enterprise reports a book-recycling efficiency that yields 97% of reusable fiber. Each ton of 100% recycled fiber used in paper manufacture saves twenty four trees. Landfill space saved per 1 ton of books is estimated to be 3.3 cubic yards.
The Claire T. Carney Library has also set aside a place in the library for an ongoing book sale. The book sale offers to the public a large selection of donated books, DVDs, CDs, videotapes, and books-on- tape for $1.00 an item. It is located in browsing on the 1st floor to the right of the entrance. The library is pleased to accept your no-longer-needed books or media. All items can be left with the acquisitions department located in the library on the 3rd floor.
The library utilizes the print release system for printing in public areas. This has reduced paper waste dramatically, and raised students' awareness of their paper use. We also use remanufactured toner cartridges in all our lab and office locations and return all toner cartridges for reuse and recycling. The library recycles or reuses office paper, withdrawn newsprint, journals and withdrawn media such as CDs. Lighting is energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs and computers are turned off during low usage times or when there is no demand for them thereby reducing our overall energy consumption.
