2018
40 shades of green...
A green wall designed to improve air quality, dampen noise and add a splash of colour has been installed in the Quadrangle Reading Room in the Boole Library.
It is hoped that the green wall will create a more positive space for students particularly at exam time in the heavily used reading room according to Pat Mehigan, Energy and Utilities Manager in UCC.
The installation was completed by local Cork company Greenveldt Ltd, who will also continue to maintain the living wall.
The living wall is part of the Library’s ongoing efforts to make its operations more sustainable and to reduce overall energy use. A Library Green Energy team monitor energy usage and identify areas for improvement. The Green Energy Team unveiled the Love our Library campaign in September 2017 which saw the restriction of paper coffee cups within the library, and the promotion of reusable water and coffee containers.
Our new Living Wall installed in Quad Reading Room today! Has already uplifted the spirits. Paid for from savings in our #loveourlibrary campaign. @Ucc @uccsu @GreenCampusUCC @abyrnecork pic.twitter.com/hsvzVcq9Dk
— UCC Library (@UCCLibrary) June 25, 2018
Colette McKenna, Director of Library Services at UCC said: “We are very proud of the Library and the range of services and expertise we provide to all our users. The Love our Library campaign is promoting good environmental behaviours to make the Library a better space for all to work and study in, while also improving its sustainable practices.”
By implementing positive changes, the Library saved over €20,000 in energy costs over a six-month period. The living wall is funded directly from the energy savings as part of the University’s Saver Saves Scheme.
The Green Energy Team was recently honoured at the 2018 Education Awards as Best Library Team for their efforts in the Green initiative. The team was also received the Public Sector award in the 2017 Cork Environmental Forum awards for their efforts.
The Green Energy team is composed of the UCC Energy Manager, the UCC Sustainability Officer, the Liaison Librarian for Library Services & Environment and other staff from across the Library
For more information on the Library’s Love our Library green campaign, please visit: http://libguides.ucc.ie/librarygreenenergy.
For more information about UCC's Green campus initiatives visit here
For more on this story contact:
Alan Carbery, Head of Academic Technology & Communication, UCC Library Email: alan.carbery@ucc.ie.