LEEDing the Way:Analysis of Leadership in

Energy and Environmental Design For the Education of Public Library Staff

Stephanie D. VapEmporia State University

LEEDLeadership in Energy and Environmental design

Regulation & certification of green buildings

Developed by USGBC in 2000

Internationally recognized

Point system determines

level of certification

LEEDSustainable Sites

Water Efficiency

Energy & Atmosphere

Materials & Resources

Indoor Environmental

Quality

Locations & Linkages

Awareness & Education

Innovation in Design

Regional Priority

U.S. Green Building Council, 2010

LEED Points

Certification Levels:

Certified--40–49 points

Silver--50–59 points

Gold--60–79 points

Platinum--80 points and

above

U.S. Green Building Council, 2010

LEED ChallengeWhat does this mean to our organization?

1. Possibility of self-sufficiency less dependent upon state funding

2. Need to develop staff education program

LEED Literature

2003 study by CA Sustainable Building Task Force

Cost comparison- 33 green buildings vs. theoretical conventional building standards.

Findings:• 10 fold increase on initial investment

• Biggest savings- Employee productivity & health

Kats, 2003

LEED Literature2004 Fayetteville, AR new central library

Held 40 public meetings- Public inclusion promotes advocacy and funding

*Annual energy savings of $22,000-$31,000

Schaper, 2003

LEED Literature2010 Ritter Public Library Vermillion, OH

Will obtain LEED Gold certification

Implemented green technologies:

1. Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heating & cooling

2. Rainwater cistern/ low flow plumbing

3. Vegetative green roof

Kim, 2010

LEED Literature

“the LEED process encourages an educational component, so appropriate for the "lifelong

learning" role of public libraries” (p. 14)

*Helpful guide in LEED certification education development

Ames & Heid, 2010

LEED LiteratureAnother helpful guide for education

development; databases outlined:

1. Building Green

2. GREENR

3. Greenfile (EBSCO)

4. Environment Complete (EBSCO)

Stoss, 2010

LEED Method

Action Research methodology

How much do WPL full time staff at the Central branch currently know about LEED

certification?

*Structured interviews for full time WPL Central branch staff, based on voluntary participation.

LEED Method

Analyzing the Data

Transcribed interviews analyzed through open coding approach

1. Read once for general content

2. Read 2nd time to categorize/code

3. Comparison of categories- Overlaps eliminated4. Alphabetize codes

LEED Timeline1. Month 1- Research LEED certification program.

2. Month 2- Research LEED program & solicit participants.

3. Month 3- Schedule participants and begin interviews

with participants who have completed Informed

Consent Document (see appendix B).

4. Month 4 & 5- Conducting interviews with participants.

5. Month 6- Analysis of data and final report written.

LEED Budget

• Voice recording equipment--$45.00

• Transcription services--$1,485.00*

*based on a standard rate of $1.50/per interview minute,

(33) 30-minute interviews. Will vary depending upon

actual number of interviews & interview duration.

Total cost of research--$1530.00

Limitations

Not instructional for design of LEED building

Not a measure of success for a LEED building

LEED Role

Researcher:– Research specifics of LEED certification– Solicit participants– Write structured interview questions– Obtained permission from Emporia State

University’s Institutional Review Board

ReferencesAmes, K. and Heid, G. (2010). Leadership, libraries, LEED for the

future. Georgia Library Quarterly, 47(1), 13-17.Beck, S. E. and Manuel, K. (2008). Practical research methods for

librarians and information professionals. New York, NY: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.

Brown, B. (2003). The new green standard. Library Journal, 128(20). 61-64.

Kim, A. (2010). LEED-er of the pack. Library Journal (1976) Library by Design (Spring 2010). Retrieved from http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/community/managinglibraries/884070-273/leed-er_of_the_pack.html.csp.

References cont’dSchaper, L. L. (2003). Public input yields greener library. Library

Journal, 128(20). 62-63.Stoss, F. (2010). Libraries taking the LEED: Green libraries leading

in energy and environmental design. Online, 34(2). Retrieved from http://www.infotoday.com/Online/mar10/inex.shtml.

Sustainable Building Task Force. (2003). The costs and financial benefits of green buildings. Retrieved from http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/News/News477.pdf.

U.S. Green Building Council. (2010). Intro-What LEED is. Retrieved from http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1988