The Greenwood County Library received its Silver LEED Certification on Monday, June 27, 2011 for its new headquarters library, making it South Carolina's first LEED-certified public library. The library was designed by Craig Gaulden Davis of Greenville and constructed by Yeargin Potter Shackleford Construction of Greenville from June 2008 -- September 2010.
The library's largest donation came from the V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation which agreed to contribute $500,000 if the new library received basic LEED certification. The V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation has emphasized environmental grantmaking since it was founded in 1991. The mission of the foundation is to support the transition to an environmentally resilient, stable, and sustainable world.
Greenwood County Library Director Prudence Taylor stated that she is, "very pleased with this accomplishment. The terms of the grant required that the library achieve basic LEED certification. The architects and builder worked very hard to reach and surpass that level, and they were successful. Their efforts are paying off - the new library costs much less to heat and cool per square foot than the old library. The new building is open and bright. Since it opened, we've seen a 60% increase in overall use. It's very exciting."
According to State Library Director, David Goble, during his opening remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony, "It is very appropriate that the first Green public library building in South Carolina be opened in Greenwood." He went on to say that, "the Greenwood County Library is taking the lead by incorporating environmentally safe and sound practices and serves as a model for future new public library facilities in the state."
For more information about the Greenwood County Library, visit www.greenwoodcountylibrary.org.
