Five Libraries Receive Green Funding
June 01, 2015
Celeste Bruno
Communications Specialist
1-800-952-7403 x208
celeste.bruno@state.ma.us
Library projects in the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program that attain LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification are receiving additional funding from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC).
Recently, Holyoke, Foxborough, Granby, West Tisbury, and Westwood all received LEED level certification, and additional funding to go towards their libraries. Granby, which is Certified LEED, received an additional $100,000, and Westwood, also Certified LEED, received $184,946. Holyoke and Foxborough are Silver LEED and received $218,380 and $173,080 respectively. West Tisbury, which is Gold LEED, received an additional $100,000.
Prior to the Green Library Incentive, North Adams Public Library was the only public library in the Commonwealth to attain LEED certification, which it received in 2007. In 2008, the MBLC approved the Green Library Incentive to encourage recipients of Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) provisional construction grants to incorporate green or sustainable elements in building projects.
Since then, nine communities have been awarded LEED certification and additional funds through the program. These communities are Boston, Buckland, Dudley, Mashpee, Millis, Walpole, Westhampton, and Athol, which received Platinum LEED, the highest level attainable.
MPLCP was first funded by a state bond authorization in 1987. For more information about the program, please visit the MBLC's website.
About MBLC
The Board of Library Commissioners (mass.gov/mblc) is the agency of state government with the statutory authority and responsibility to organize, develop, coordinate and improve library services throughout the Commonwealth. The Board advises municipalities and library trustees on the operation and maintenance of public libraries, including construction and renovation. It administers state and federal grant programs for libraries and promotes cooperation among all types of libraries through regional library systems and automated resource sharing. It also works to ensure that all residents of the Commonwealth, regardless of their geographic location, social or economic status, age, level of physical or intellectual ability or cultural background, have access to essential new electronic information technologies and significant electronic databases.