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ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 52| August 2001


Energy Efficient Library

The National Library of Australia has reduced its energy consumption from 67 000 gigajoules in 1996 to 28 000 gigajoules in 2000. That’s a reduction in consumption of 59 per cent. In addition greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by a third.

The fact that the Library’s collections contain many sensitive items requiring a consistent environment, 24 hours a day, every day of the week makes these reductions all the more remarkable. The Library’s Facilities Manager Trevor Pidd led the strategy that included the upgrading of the Library’s air conditioning plant, and the monitoring of fluctuations in energy usage. This produced monetary savings that went towards further equipment upgrades.

These efforts were recognised when the Library won the coveted Best Energy Management Program award at the Commonwealth Energy and Environment Awards ceremony in June, successfully competing against 141 eligible government agencies.

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Please address any comments and enquiries to The Editor, Gateways: dthomas@nla.gov.au

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