2021 Technology & Sustainability Planning Process

Made with Padlet

Connections Working Group

The Connections working group has explored ways in which the library can facilitate sharing physical and knowledge resources. Guiding questions included, “What non-traditional items could the library add to its lending collection that would increase environmental sustainability and accessibility to technology?” “How can the library enable mentorship, tutoring, and apprenticeship among our community?” Here is a recording from the first group meeting.

The conversations here focused on what services the library community really needs, and what the library can do to provide them. There should be some immediate term activities, and some long term plans. Here is a recording from the second group meeting.

Building Working Group

The Building working group focused on the design and construction of the renovation/addition project. This group considered the thermal envelope, mechanical systems, material use, and energy consumption. Guiding questions included, “How can the library be a role model and demonstration project for sustainable construction?” “What performance standards could guide design and construction?” Here is a recording from the first group meeting.

Major themes that emerged in the conversation included embodied energy, the value and use of evaluation metrics, energy efficiency, life cycle analysis, and the building as a teaching tool. Here is a recording from the second group meeting.

Technology Working Group

The Technology working group addressed how the spaces within (and around) the library can be utilized to maximize flexibility, adaptability, and accessibility. In addition to familiar technology considerations like power, data, and communications, this group also looked at how furniture and space design can increase versatility. The Technology group also considered the components and infrastructure requirements for a community makerspace. Guiding questions included, “How can the library increase accessibility to cutting edge communications, research, and fabrication technologies?” and “What makes a public space inclusive and flexible?” Here is a recoding from the first group meeting and here is a recording from the second group meeting.