IPSWICH, Mass. — July 20, 2020 — EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) has announced its five 2020 EBSCO Solar Grant Winners. Independence Public Library in Independence, Belize; Peterborough Town Library in Peterborough, New Hampshire; The Valley Library at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon; H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, Learning Resource Centre, in Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Pacific Theological College, in Suva, Fiji Islands, will each receive an EBSCO Solar Grant to pay for the installation of a solar array. The grants offset the cost of installing solar panels and allow the libraries to reduce their electricity expenditures.
Independence Public Library (IPL) in Independence, Stann Creek District, Belize, is part of the Belize National Library Service and is looking to create a green librarianship concept, which will promote social engagement, information skills and sustainable development in the community. Belize National Library Service and Information System Chief Librarian Lusiola Castillo says adding solar power will improve the library’s physical infrastructure. “The EBSCO Solar Grant will enhance our library’s physical space by decreasing electricity consumption, helping to facilitate the use of technology for patrons, offering open and easy access to reliable and updated environmental information, and promoting sustainability in the community.”
Peterborough Town Library in Peterborough, New Hampshire, is the oldest tax-supported free public library in the country, founded in 1833. The Peterborough Town Library plans to be almost completely energy efficient by relying upon solar panels for electricity, biomass for heating, and an innovative “green” adsorption system for cooling. Library Director Corinne Chronopoulos says sustainability is a vital concern in this rural community. “In preparing for our new library construction, the community expressed a strong desire for the library to be a leader in sustainability and provide an educational opportunity for community members. With this grant, we will enable eager residents to explore the impact of sustainable energy.”
The Valley Library at Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis, Oregon, is the main branch location of the OSU Libraries. This installation of solar will help the library meet its long-term goal of striving for carbon neutrality and serve as an example to the institution and surrounding communities. OSU’s Library Spaces Manager Rachel Burgess says the EBSCO Solar Grant will expand existing plans. “This grant will allow us to partner with other units on campus to adopt and implement additional objectives to reduce Oregon State University’s carbon footprint and go beyond our current sustainability practices.” The library recently received a Gold Level designation from the OSU’s Green Office Certification program (the highest score yet at OSU), and they expect the solar array to move them toward the Certification’s Platinum Level.
H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, Learning Resource Centre (LRC) in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, is cognizant of its responsibility to protecting and nurturing the natural environment by managing its operations in ways that are environmentally sustainable, economically feasible and socially responsible. Director of the LRC, Kenyatha Augustine, says the grant will reduce the library’s dependency on the local powerplant and serve as a resource for the island. “In addition to decreasing the library’s environmental footprint, we will also launch a Solar Technician Training Program through our Workforce Training Division. We will use the solar array at the LRC as a field lab for training purposes.”
The George Knight Library at The Pacific Theological College is situated in Suva, Fiji Islands. The Library supports the Pacific Theological College in providing and managing information resources to support the Pacific Theological College in its work of theological education, professional ministry training, and public theological discourse. Librarian Nalini Premadish says the college’s strategic plan encourages the use of modern solar energy production. “The array will make the library energy self-sufficient and replace the use of fossil fuels on campus and contribute to the country-wide reduction in diesel fuel.”
For more information on EBSCO Solar, visit www.ebsco.com/solar.
About EBSCO Information Services
EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) is the leading discovery service provider for libraries worldwide with more than 11,000 discovery customers in over 100 countries. EBSCO Discovery Service™ (EDS) provides each institution with a comprehensive, single search box for its entire collection, offering unparalleled relevance ranking quality and extensive customization. EBSCO is also the preeminent provider of online research content for libraries, including hundreds of research databases, historical archives, point-of-care medical reference, and corporate learning tools serving millions of end users at tens of thousands of institutions. EBSCO is the leading provider of electronic journals and books for libraries, with subscription management for more than 360,000 serials, including more than 57,000 e-journals, as well as online access to more than 1,000,000 e-books. For more information, visit the EBSCO website at: www.ebsco.com. EBSCO Information Services is a division of EBSCO Industries, Inc., a family-owned company since 1944.
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Kathleen McEvoy
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