North Sarasota Public Library
Sarasota, FL

LEED Certification Level: Gold
Date Certified: June 28, 2005
Area: 24,800 Square feet
*Second library in the nation to earn LEED Gold certification

Located on almost six acres of land, the North Sarasota Public Library is made of metal with colorful stucco and large amounts of glass. Most of the interior is illuminated by sunlight, a growing trend among library designs. Utilizing a number of energy and water efficiency tactics throughout the building and the grounds, as well as proper use of construction materials and exterior preservations practices, helped this building to become the second library in the U.S. to earn LEED Gold certification.

Key "Green" Features :

• Electric window shades
• Paper, cardboard, and other recycling stations throughout the building
• Non-VOC interior paint and carpeting
• High indoor air-quality systems
• Low-flow toilets and urinals
• Recycled tiles in bathrooms
• Automatic light sensors
• Carbon dioxide monitoring systems
• 86 percent of generated construction waste was recycled
• Almost 19 percent of construction materials used were recycled
• 70 percent wood used was certified by Forest Stewardship Council
• 41 percent materials used were fabricated within 500 miles of the building, reducing the amount of fossil fuels used to transport materials
• Water-wise landscaping around the building
• Bicycle racks installed to encourage non-automotive traffic to library
• Building within close proximity to public transportation