The Marcellus Free Library became the first building in Onondaga County last month to be designated LEED Silver, in recognition of the sustainable building practices employed in the construction of the facility.
The LEED Silver rating, awarded by the US Green Building Council, denotes the facility for its sustainable and eco-friendly characteristics. A reception was held Dec. 15 to celebrate the individuals who worked to design, fund and construct the new building with an earth-friendly attitude.
The library, which opened in May 2008, was designed by Marcellus-based Lake Architectural and built by MCK Building Associates. The firm coordinated with the library Board of Trustees and Director Carol Johnson to embrace a green design, incorporating a geothermal heating and cooling system, solar panels on the roof of the facility, more eco-friendly interior materials and renewable resources.
The rating makes the library eligible to apply for grant funding linked to maintaining the green building design.
“Building green and pursuing the LEED certification was a win-win situation for all involved” Johnson said. “The investment in solar panels and geothermal heating and air conditioning has resulted in utility charges less than half the cost of new buildings with traditional heating and air-conditioning systems.”
Sen. John A. DeFrancisco also acknowledged the efforts to achieve the LEED rating with a citation delivered during the reception.
The Marcellus Free Library is located at 32 Maple St. in Upper Crown Mill development in the village of Marcellus and a member library in the Onondaga County Public Library system.
