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Footprints in the air
What have we done to measure the impact of library action on climate change? Vallila Library was the very first library whose carbon footprint was estimated with the Climate Calculator designed by WWF Finland. The calculator is a tool to measure greenhouse gas emissions and it helps to evaluate emissions from heat and electricity consumption, transportation, procurements and waste.
The emissions of Vallila Library were equal to 12 detached houses. In order to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions and erase the carbon footprint we would have to plant 137 trees each year. These trees would absorb the carbon dioxide and prevent the global warming.
Photo: Darren Webb, Flickr – Creative Commons
We will find out more about libraries’ carbon footprint when the next two libraries, Laajasalo and Vuosaari start their measurements.
Did you know that library customers reduce their own carbon footprints by borrowing books and other materials? It is recycling, as simple as that!
The air quality in Helsinki region is closely monitored by Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority (HSY). You can check the real time air quality situation on HSY website.
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Energy-saving library
The consumption of natural resources can easily be reduced with making simple small acts. For example by paying attention to heating and lighting of space.
In Pasila Library – the main library of Helsinki City Library we took notice of the time the lights were on and off. By making some minor changes on the period the lights were on we have saved both money and the environment.
Photo: Anssi Koskinen, Flickr – Creative Commons
In Helsinki City Library there are also hundreds of computers and other equipment for customers as well as for the staff. We aim to switch off all the appliances when the libraries are not open. That way we will save a lot of energy.
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Recycling is smart
Recycling is library’s second nature.
Dead batteries to library
Etelä-Haaga, Itäkeskus, Malminkartano, Pasila and Pohjois-Haaga Libraries offer recycling bins for dead batteries.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Borrow an energy meter
Energy company Helsingin Energia provides energy meters which are easy to use. Have you checked the energy consumption of your fridge yet?
You can borrow an energy meter in the following libraries: Etelä-Haaga, Itäkeskus, Kannelmäki, Laajasalo, Library 10, Malmi, Malminkartano, Oulunkylä, Pasila, Pitäjänmäki, Pohjois-Haaga, Puistola, Pukinmäki, Suutarila, Töölö, Vallila, Viikki, Vuosaari Libraries and Mobile Library.
The availability of the energy meters can be checked on HelMet Web Library.
Circulate your unnecessary books
Some libraries have given space for customers to circulate their unnecessary books. Bring in the old and perhaps find something new to your bookshelf in Etelä-Haaga, Malminkartano, Maunula, Munkkiniemi, Oulunkylä, Pasila, Pohjois-Haaga, Töölö, Viikki Libraries.
Co-operation with Kuinoma lending service
Kuinoma is a private organisation which members lend their possessions to others. Usually the items are sewing machines, cameras and roller blades etc. – things you would normally use quite seldom. In Vallila and Viikki Libraries Kuinoma members can leave the items for others to be picked up and returned. The library merely connects these lenders and borrowers.
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The library is close to you
Favour the ecological ways of getting around!
The library network in Helsinki is extremely dense which means that citizens have only a short distance to the nearest library. Why not walk or cycle to your library? Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL) has an excellent Journey Planner for cycling and walking routes around Helsinki.
Photo: Jouko Vatanen, Helsinki City Image Bank
Public transport on your way
On every library’s web pages we offer you information on how to visit the library by using public transport: buses, commuter trains or trams.
If you want to visit Herttoniemi, Itäkeskus, Kontula, Roihuvuori or Vuosaari Libraries, Library 10, Ruoholahti Children’s Library or Myllypuro Reading Room the easiest way to get there is by metro.
HSL’s ferry takes you smoothly by sea to Suomenlinna Library.
Use Jälki calculator to calculate the emissions from your weekday travel.
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Ecological library
Eco-support available
Environmental matters have been a part of everyday routines in the City of Helsinki for a long time. In 2007 Helsinki decided to start eco-support activity within all city departments. This eco-support network has expanded considerably over the years adding up to 27 eco-support people in 2011 – in library alone!
The tasks of the eco-support network in library are to pay attention to recycling and other eco-friendly practices and raise eco-awareness among the staff and customers.
Vallila Library – the eco-pioneer
Vallila Library was the very first library to take part in the EcoCompass project. EcoCompass was a joint municipality project which aimed to strengthen environmental management in small and medium-sized companies in the Helsinki Metropolitan area.
Vallila Library - being the first public institution to commit to this project - received the EcoCompass certificate in spring 2011. The label is granted by the City of Helsinki Environment Centre.
 
On the left: Vallila Library. Photo: Martti Vattulainen. On the right: Leila Sonkkanen and Harri Sahavirta are pleased for the EcoCompass certificate granted for Vallila Library. Photo: Sari Tamminen
Vallila Library continues to set good example for others to follow. With these simple changes little drops will eventually become a torrent.
Viikki Library – green friend of a science library
Viikki Library is located in the same Info Centre as Viikki Campus Library of Helsinki University. Along with the basic public library services Viikki Library focuses on biology and environmental materials which are the subject areas in the science library.
Ecological values and sustainable development are kept in mind in all library operations. Viikki Info Centre was built in1999 and already then the ecological sustainability and energy-saving technical solutions were key points on the design.
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Further information:
Leila Sonkkanen
Contact person of library eco-support network
Helsinki City Library
leila.sonkkanen @ hel.fi
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