This directory lists libraries in the United States and Canada that have implemented some form of green planning. Although having a green building is not the only way for a library to “plan green”, the directory focuses on libraries whose buildings have received LEED certification.
Compiling the directory involved multiple searches of the United States Green Building Council’s databases of LEED-certified projects and registered projects as well as searches in Library Journal’s website, the April 2009 edition of American Libraries, the spring 2009 American Libraries Digital Supplement, and greenreportcard.org.
View Green libraries in a larger map
Symbol |
Meaning |
Symbol |
Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Public library (owned by local or state government)/(serving citizens of a particular state or locality |
 |
LEED certified |
 |
Academic library (owned by college or university)/serving a college or university community |
 |
LEED Silver |
 |
K-12 library (owned by an elementary, middle, or high school) |
 |
LEED Gold |
 |
Special library (owned by a for-profit or nonprofit institution other than a school, museum, or government) |
 |
LEED Platinum |
 |
Museum library |
 |
Green programming |
 |
Federal library (owned by federal government) |
United States
Alabama
Homewood Middle School Media Center (Birmingham) -
LEED Silver
– View the school's LEED scorecard (PDF).
Alaska
Atwood Alaska Resource Center, Anchorage Museum (Anchorage)
The museum is pursuing LEED silver-level certification for an expansion project scheduled for completion in 2010. Learn more.
Machetanz Elementary School Library (Wasilla) - LEED Silver
Learn more about the school's green features.
Arizona
Easton Collection Center, Museum of Northern Arizona (Flagstaff) - 
LEED Platinum
Learn more about green features.
First Mesa Elementary School Library (Polacca) - 
LEED Certified
Learn more about the school's green features, view pictures, read the case study (PDF), or view the school's LEED scorecard (PDF).
Desert Broom Branch Library (Phoenix) - LEED certified
Burton Barr Central Library (Phoenix) - LEED Silver
Queen Creek Branch Library (Queen Creek) - 
LEED Gold
Learn more about green features.
Appaloosa Branch, Scottsdale Public Library (Scottsdale)
Learn more about green features.
Arabian Branch, Scottsdale Public Library (Scottsdale) - LEED Certified
Learn more about green features.
Arkansas
Fayetteville Public Library (Fayetteville) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
William J. Clinton Presidential Center Library (Little Rock) - LEED Platinum
The library originally received Silver LEED certification; after adding sustainable practices, it received Platinum LEED Certification for Existing Buildings. Built on a former brownfield site, the Center boasts a fifty-kilowatt solar array and charging stations for electric vehicles. Learn more about green features, read the case study, or view the Center's LEED scorecard (PDF).
California
Haskett Branch, Anaheim Public Library (Anaheim) - LEED Certified
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Windrush School Library (El Cerrito) - LEED Platinum
See how much energy the building is generating or learn more about green features.
Harbor City-Harbor Gateway Branch, Los Angeles Public Library (Harbor City) - LEED Certified
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Mark Twain Neighborhood Library (Long Beach) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features (PDF).
Kolligian Library, University of California at Merced (Merced) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Learning Resource Center, San Diego City College (San Diego) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features.
North University Community Branch, San Diego Public Library (San Diego) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features.
California Academy of Sciences Library (San Francisco) - LEED Platinum
Learn more about the academy's green features, including its living roof.
San Francisco Public Library System (San Francisco) 
The Wallace Stegner Environmental Center, located on the fifth floor of the San Francisco Main Library, is devoted to information about the environment. The library system schedules green programming as part of its Green Stacks initiative; issues green report cards describing branches' greening efforts; and even offers biodegradable library cards. Learn more about green features.
West Valley Branch, San José Public Library (San José) - LEED certified
Learn more about green features (PDF) or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
San Mateo Public Library (San Mateo) - LEED Gold
The library maintains a Going Green information center for patrons. Learn more about green features.
Harrington Learning Commons, Sobrato Technology Center, and Orradre Library, Santa Clara University (Santa Clara)
Learn more about green features.
Santa Monica Main Library (Santa Monica) - LEED Gold
In addition to offering materials and programming on topics related to sustainability and the environment, the Santa Monica Library sponsors a Green Prize for Sustainable Literature. Learn more about green features.
Chartwell School Library (Seaside) - LEED Platinum
Learn more about the school's green features,
view LEED scorecard (PDF), or see a picture of the school's library.
Sun Valley Branch, Los Angeles Public Library (Sun Valley) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features (PDF) or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Lake View Terrace Branch, Los Angeles Public Library (Sylmar) - LEED Platinum
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Lost Library, Martis Camp (Truckee) - LEED Silver
Colorado
Aspen Middle School Library (Aspen) - LEED Gold
Learn more about the school's green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
William A. Wise Law Library, University of Colorado-Boulder (Boulder) - LEED Gold
The Wise Law Library is located on the second floor of the Wolf Law Building. Learn more about the building's green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Durango Public Library (Durango) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features.
Council Tree Library (Fort Collins) - LEED Platinum
Learn more about green features.
Prairie View Middle School Library (Henderson) - LEED Gold
Learn more about the school's green features.
Mancos Public Library (Mancos) - LEED Gold
Connecticut
Darien Library (Darien) - Green Building of America Award-winning project
The Darien Library is projected to receive LEED Gold certification. Learn more about green features.
District of Columbia
Sidwell Friends Middle School Library- LEED Platinum–The Sidwell Friends Middle School obtained its platinum certification by incorporating features such as solar chimneys and a green roof. The school's sewage is treated onsite. Learn more about the middle school's green features or read a description of the school's green building process.
United States Green Building Council Knowledge Center - LEED Platinum
Learn more about the green features of USGBC headquarters or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Florida
Library West, University of Florida (Gainesville) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
South Regional/Broward College Library (Pembroke Pines) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
North Sarasota Library (Sarasota) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Georgia
Candler Library, Emory University (Atlanta) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
East Atlanta Branch Library (Atlanta) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Mathematics & Science Center Reading Room, Emory University (Atlanta) - LEED Certified
Learn more about the Mathematics & Science Center's green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Patient and Family Resource Center, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University (Atlanta) - LEED Certified
Learn more about the Winship Cancer Institute's green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Idaho
Library! at Cole & Ustick (formerly the West Boise Branch Library) (Boise) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features.
Illinois
Byron Public Library (Byron) - LEED Gold
The library has compiled a Green Guide for patrons interested in living sustainably. Learn more about green features (PDF).
Chicago Center for Green Technology - Green Building Resource Center (Chicago) - LEED Platinum
Learn more about CCGT's green features.
Chicago Public Library (Chicago)
Avalon Branch - LEED Certified
Beverly Branch - LEED Silver
Bucktown-Wicker Branch - LEED Certified
Budlong Woods Branch - LEED Certified
Logan Square Branch - LEED Silver
Oriole Park Branch - LEED Certified
Vodak-East Side Branch - LEED Certified
West Englewood Branch - LEED Certified
West Chicago Avenue Branch - LEED Certified
West Pullman Branch - LEED Certified
Rakow Branch, Gail Borden Public Library (Elgin) - LEED Gold
The Rakow Branch of the Gail Borden Public Library was featured in the American Library Association's 2010 Library Design Showcase.
Skokie Public Library (Skokie)
See pictures of the library's green roof.
Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation of Evanston, Illinois - Library (Evanston) - LEED Platinum
Learn more about the building's green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Indiana
Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary Library (Elkhart) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features.
Oaklyn Branch, Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library (Evansville)
Learn more about green features.
Prindle Institute for Ethics Library, DePauw University (Greencastle) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Ohio Township Central Library (Newburgh)
Learn more about green features (PDF).
Iowa
Marshalltown Public Library (Marshalltown) - LEED Gold
The Marshalltown Public Library boasts rooftop solar panels, PaperStone counters, and "cradle to cradle" (recycled and recyclable) carpet. Learn more about green features.
Van Allen Elementary School Media Center (North Liberty) - LEED Silver
Learn more about the school's green features.
Kansas
Woodland Elementary School Media Center (Olathe) - LEED Silver
Learn more about the school's green features.
Kentucky
Twenhofel Middle School Media Center (Independence) - LEED Silver
Learn more about the school's green features (PDF).
Main Oldham County Public Library (LaGrange)
Learn more about green features.
Maine
Brewster Hall Library, Governor Baxter School for the Deaf (Falmouth) - LEED Silver
Learn more about Brewster Hall's green features or view the site's LEED scorecard (PDF).
Orono Public Library (Orono)
Learn more about green features.
Osher Map Library, University of Southern Maine (Portland) - LEED Silver
Maryland
Ocean City Branch, Worcester County Public Library (Ocean City)
Learn more about green features.
West County Area Library (Odenton) - LEED Certified
Massachusetts
Hayden Memorial Library, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge)
Learn more about the library's solar panel installation.
Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University (Cambridge) - LEED Certified
Learn more about the library's renovation and its new green features (PDF) or view the project's LEED scorecard (PDF).
90 Mt. Auburn Street, Harvard University Library (Cambridge) - LEED Gold
90 Mt. Auburn Street is home to Harvard University Library's Weissman Preservation Center, Office for Information Systems, and Open Collections Program. Learn more about the building's green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Littauer Fine Arts Library, Harvard University (Cambridge) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features.
C. W. Morey Elementary School Library (Lowell)
Learn more about the school's green features or view pictures of the school's interior.
North Adams Public Library (North Adams) - LEED Certified
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Stanley Elementary School Library (Waltham) - LEED Silver
Learn more about the school's green features or view its LEED scorecard (PDF).
Michigan
Malletts Creek Branch, Ann Arbor District Library (Ann Arbor)
Learn more about green features.
Cook Library Center (Grand Rapids) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features.
Grace Hauenstein Library, Aquinas College (Grand Rapids) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Harper Woods Public Library (Harper Woods) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Hastings Public Library (Hastings) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features, including a green cleaning program (scroll down on page).
Delta Township District Library (Lansing) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features.
Otsego District Public Library (Otsego) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features.
Minnesota
Eden Prairie Library (Eden Prairie)
Learn more about green features.
Elk River Public Library (Elk River) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features.
Minneapolis Central Library (Minneapolis)
The central branch of the Hennepin County Library was built with a green roof. Learn more about green features.
Science Library, Regents Hall, St. Olaf College (Northfield) - LEED Platinum
Learn more about the building's green features.
Plymouth Library (Plymouth)
Learn more about green features (PDF).
Missouri
Wildwood Campus Library, St. Louis Community College (Wildwood) - LEED Gold
Learn more about the campus's green features or view its LEED scorecard (PDF).
Crossroads College Preparatory School Library (Saint Louis) - LEED Platinum
Learn more about green features.
Missouri Botanical Garden Library (Saint Louis) - LEED Silver
The library is housed in the Missouri Botanical Garden's Monsanto Center. Learn more about the Center's green features (PDF).
Montana
Bozeman Public Library (Bozeman) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features.
Nevada
Miley Achievement Center Library (Las Vegas) - LEED Certified
Learn more about the school's design and green features.
New Hampshire
Portsmouth Public Library (Portsmouth) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features or view the library's LEED scorecard (PDF).
New Jersey
St. Joseph's School for the Blind Library (Jersey City) - LEED Certified
Learn more about the school's green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Summerfield Elementary School Media Center (Neptune) - LEED Gold
The Neptune Township School District provides extensive information about the school's green features and the ways in which they have been used to help students learn about sustainability. You can also see a short description of green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
New Mexico
Instituto Cervantes Library (Albuquerque) - LEED Gold
The Instituto Cervantes Albuquerque is located in the Pete V. Domenici Education Center at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
Learn more about the Domenici Education Center's green features (PDF).
Library, Baca Dlo'ay azhi Community School (Prewitt) - LEED Certified
Learn more about the school's green features, view its LEED scorecard (PDF), or see what the library looked like while under construction (PDF).
Santa Fe Prep School Library (Santa Fe) - LEED Gold
Learn more about the library's green features.
New York
Bronx Library Center (Bronx) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features, view LEED scorecard (PDF), or view USGBC project profile (PDF).
Stone Avenue Branch, Brooklyn Public Library (Brooklyn)
The Stone Avenue Branch is one of nineteen branches of the New York and Brooklyn Public Libraries that have partnered with the Horticultural Society of New York to develop gardens. See the Stone Avenue branch's garden or learn more about the GreenBranches program.
Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library (Clifton Park) - LEED Certified
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Crandall Public Library (Glens Falls) - LEED Certified
Learn more about green features.
Marcellus Free Library (Marcellus) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features.
Battery Park City Library (New York City)
The library is hoping to receive gold-level LEED certification. Learn more about green features.
Hort Library, Horticultural Society of New York (New York City)
The Hort library is devoted to books about gardening and hosts gardening-related events, including some focused on organic gardening and native plants. In addition, the HSNY has developed a GreenBranches program through which it has partnered with the New York and Brooklyn Public Libraries to create gardens in previously-unused spaces near nineteen local libraries.
Ossining Public Library (Ossining) - LEED Certified
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Strong National Museum of Play Libraries (Rochester) - LEED Silver
The Museum of Play's facilities include the Grada Hopeman Gelser Library, a circulating library offered in partnership with Monroe County Library System, as well as the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play. Learn more about the museum's green features, read a case study, or view the project's LEED scorecard (PDF).
Golisano Library, Roberts Wesleyan College (Rochester) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features.
Jefferson Hall-USMA Library and Learning Center, United States Military Academy at West Point (West Point)
Jefferson Hall received a bronze rating from the US Army Core of Engineers' Sustainable Project Rating Tool (SPiRiT).
North Carolina
Carrboro High School Media Center (Carrboro) - LEED Silver
Learn more about the school's green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Green Gardener Reference Room and Library, North Carolina Botanical Garden (Chapel Hill)
The North Carolina Botanical Garden is part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Its new Education Center is designed to achieve platinum-level LEED certification. Learn more about green features or see the handout used to inform visitors about sustainability (PDF).
ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center (Charlotte) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Cherokee Central School Media Centers (Cherokee) - LEED Silver
The Cherokee Central School is composed of three connected campuses - an elementary school, middle school, and high school - each with its own media center. Learn more about the school's green features (PDF; go to page 14 of 32).
East Regional Branch, Durham County Public Library (Durham) - LEED Certified
Learn more about green features or View LEED scorecard (PDF).
North Regional Branch, Durham County Public Library (Durham) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Perkins/Bostock Library, Duke University (Durham) - LEED Certified
In addition to having a green building, the Perkins Library maintains an online exhibit about sustainability. A more extensive sustainability exhibit was on display in the library during the fall of 2009.
W. G. Pearson Elementary School Media Center (Durham) - LEED Certified
Visit the school's website, learn more about green features, or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Mount Airy Public Library (Mount Airy)
Learn more about green features.
Third Creek Elementary School Library (Statesville) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features, read a case study, or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
North Dakota
Turtle Mountain Community High School Library (Belcourt) - LEED Silver
Ohio
Reynolds Corners Branch, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features.
Edison Community College, Regional Center for Excellence (Piqua) - LEED Certified
Learn more about green features.
Ritter Public Library (Vermilion)
The library is seeking LEED Gold certification for its new addition. Learn more about green features.
Oregon
Student Sustainability Center Library, Oregon State University (Corvallis)
Learn more about the Sustainability Center's green features.
Pacific University Library (Forest Grove) - LEED Certified
Hillsdale Library (Portland) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Pennsylvania
Learning Commons & Mollie Dodd Anderson Library, George School (Newtown) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features.
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Library, Friends Center (Philadelphia) - LEED Platinum
Learn more about the Friends Center's green features.
Hill District Branch, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh)
Learn more about green features.
Woods Run Branch, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh) - LEED Silver
Paul Smith Library of Southern York County (Shrewsbury) - LEED Certified
South Carolina
James B. Duke Library, Furman University (Greenville) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
McElveen Library (Shaw Air Force Base) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features.
South Dakota
Porcupine School Library (Porcupine) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features.
St. Francis Indian School Library (St. Francis) - LEED Certified
Tennessee
Barrett Library, Rhodes College (Memphis)
Learn more about green features (PowerPoint.
Texas
Carver Branch, Austin Public Library (Austin) - LEED Certified
Grauwyler Park Branch, Dallas Public Library (Dallas) - LEED Silver
Lancaster-Kiest Branch, Dallas Public Library (Dallas) - LEED Silver
Hector Garcia Middle School Library (Dallas) - LEED Certified
Learn more about the school's green features.
Timberglen Branch, Dallas Public Library (Dallas) - LEED Gold
An educational kiosk (which is also accessible online) informs visitors of the building's green features and allows them to monitor the library's use of water and electricity. View the branch's LEED scorecard (PDF).
Looscan Neighborhood Library (Houston) - LEED Certified
Learn more about green features.
Utah
Draper Library (Draper) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Grand County Public Library (Moab)
Learn more about green features.
Utah Valley University Library (Orem)
Learn more about green features.
Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features.
South Jordan Library (South Jordan) - LEED Certified
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Pleasant Valley Branch, Weber County Library (Washington Terrace)
The library is seeking LEED gold-level certification. Learn more about green features.
Vermont
Green Mountain Valley School Library (Waitsfield) - LEED Certified
Learn more about green features.
Virginia
Burke Centre Library (Burke) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features.
Oakton Library (Oakton) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features.
Washington
Ballard Branch, Seattle Public Library (Seattle)
Learn more about green features.
Seattle Central Library (Seattle) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Wisconsin
Rosemary Garfoot Public Library (Cross Plains) - LEED Silver
The Rosemary Garfoot Public Library's home page proudly advertises its green status. The library offers a special Environmental Collection and environmentally-themed programming that includes Eco-Talk Book Dicussions. Learn more about green features (PDF) or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
College of Menominee Nation Library (Keshena)
The library was built to meet the standards for LEED Silver certification. Learn more about green features.
Sequoya Branch, Madison Public Library (Madison) - LEED Silver
Learn more about green features.
Wyoming
Laramie County Library in Cheyenne (Cheyenne) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features.
Greybull Elementary School Library (Greybull) - LEED Certified
Learn more about the school's green features.
Canada
Alberta
Banff Community High School Library (Banff) - LEED Certified
Country Hills Branch, Calgary Public Library (Calgary) - LEED Gold
The Country Hills Library is located within Cardel Place, formerly known as Nose Creek Recreation & Library Facility. Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Crowfoot Branch, Calgary Public Library (Calgary) - LEED Certified
Learn more about green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Holy Trinity Academy Library (Municipal District of Foothills) - LEED Gold
British Columbia
Coast Capital Savings Library, Cloverdale Campus, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (Surrey) - LEED Gold
Learn more about Cloverdale Campus's green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Semiahmoo Branch, Surrey Public Library (Surrey) - LEED Gold
Learn more about green features (PDF) or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
North Vancouver City Library (North Vancouver)
Learn more about green features.
Heritage Woods Secondary School Library (Port Moody) - LEED Silver
Learn more about the school's green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Nova Scotia
Sir John A. MacDonald High School Library (Upper Tantallon) - LEED Silver
Learn more about the school's green features (note: you will need to scroll down to reach the section on the school's design and construction) or view LEED certification info.
Ontario
Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre & Library, University of Toronto-Mississauga (Mississauga) - LEED Silver
Learn more about design and green features (PDF) or view LEED certification info.
Quebec
Pavilions Lassonde Library, École Polytechnique Montréal (Montréal) - LEED Gold
Learn more about the buildings' green features or view LEED scorecard (PDF).
Saskatchewan
University Learning Centre, Murray Library, University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon)
Learn more about projected green features.
Yukon
J. V. Clark School Library (Mayo)
Learn more about the school's green features (scroll down to "Mayo Replacement School") or view a detailed case study.
Czech Republic
National Technical Library, Czech Technical University (Prague)
Learn more about green features.
Mexico
Biblioteca Vasconcelos (Mexico City)
Learn more about green features.
Netherlands
Delft University of Technology Library (Delft)
Learn more about green features.
Saudi Arabia
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Library (Thuwal) - LEED Platinum
See a summary of the University's green features or learn more about sustainability at KAUST.
Singapore
Art, Design, and Media Library, Nanyang Technological University
Learn more about green features.
National Library Singapore - Building and Contruction Authority (BCA) Green Mark Platinum Award
Learn more about green features.
Taiwan
Beitou Branch, Taipei Public Library (Taipei) - EEWH Diamond rating
The Beitou Library was the first building in Taiwan to qualify for a diamond rating, the highest possible level in Taiwan's EEWH green building certification system. Learn more about green features.
Shipai Branch, Taipei Public Library (Taipei)
Learn more about green features (scroll down for information on Shipai/Shihpai Branch).
United Kingdom
Library, Solihull Centre for Inclusive Learning (Birmingham, England)
The Solihull Centre serves as the campus for Merstone School and Forest Oak School. See pictures of its green roof and learn more about the building's green features (PDF).