Library Joins Forces with GSB and Improves Sustainable Practices

14-Oct-2009

The library has joined forces with the Government of the Student Body to improve sustainable practices in public computing areas. Libraries are inherently stewards of resources. Having books and other media that can be used over and over again is an essential part of our campus Living Green ethos. This doesn't mean that a sustainability assessment of the library's internal practices is not in order.

After a review of internal practices, the library sustainability taskforce realized that none of the fifteen public printers could duplex print (print on both sides of a sheet of paper). The library IT department found that retrofitting the printers was a possibility. Ian Ringgenberg, the student representative on the task force, mentioned that GSB was focusing on sustainable issues. Task force chair, Sarah Passonneau, armed with the part number and total cost for the retrofit contacted Clayton Severson, student director of Sustainability, and Anthony Maly, a student senator. Through the joint efforts of Severson and Maly the bill passed the senate floor and now the library's printers are going green.

Clayton said: "In the position of GSB Director of Sustainability, I am responsible for assisting with these types of projects. And I always print (like many students) at the library so it will be nice to do this. My backpack will be half as full (with papers)." Anthony added: "Students enjoy studying in the library. This is a good initiative to help out with. We want to help students realize different ways to be more sustainable; students might think if they can print double sided here they can do it somewhere else."

The total savings for this project will be 20,000 pounds of paper. If an instructor requires single-sided printing, students will be able to choose that option.

Dean Olivia M.A. Madison, Anthony Maly, Clayton Severson, Sarah Passonneau