The Greenwood County Library received Silver LEED Certification for its new headquarters library June, 27, 2011, making it South Carolina’s first LEED-certified public library. The library, which opened in September 2010, was designed by Craig Gaulden Davis and constructed by Yeargin Potter Shackleford Construction.
“LEED” – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – is a green building certification system developed by the US Green Building Council.
Greenwood County Library Director Prudence Taylor the South Carolina State Library’s website that “the architects and builder worked very hard to reach and surpass that [basic certification] 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.
