New Hampshire

Hampstead library accepts carbon challenge

Hampstead Library challenges town residents

By Margo Sullivan
margosullivan@eagletribune.com
Published: October 23, 2008

HAMPSTEAD — Hampstead Public Library has issued a challenge to town residents: Make small changes, save energy, and help the environment.

The library is the first to organize a community around the University of New Hampshire Carbon Challenge. Janet Arden, program coordinator at the library, suggested the challenge would be a good fit.

Participants take a survey and pledge to take certain actions to reduce their carbon emissions for a month.

Library Director Peggy Thrasher painted a sign with a giant brown footprint, which represents the community's carbon footprint. The brown will give way to green as more households sign up to learn how they can save money and the environment with a few simple lifestyle changes.

Thrasher hopes 100 Hampstead households will accept the challenge and try to slash their carbon dioxide emissions by 10,000 pounds annually.

"I'm amazed at how easy it is to make a difference," she said. "The more I find out, the more sense it makes. You can save a lot of money with very little investment."

A recent energy audit at the library, for example, showed adding insulation behind electrical switches would reduce heating bills and pay for itself within a year.

"Anyone can do that," she said.

Thrasher said she hopes more libraries will see the opportunity to show people how to save money and help the environment by making small lifestyle changes.

"It's a perfect thing for a library because it's disseminating information," she said.

The challenge also ranks each city or town based on the number of households which sign up.

"We're in eighth place currently," she said. "If we meet our goal, we will take first."

Linda Skidmore, information technology librarian, said the staff has long wanted to involve the community in this type of project to show the impact of small efforts, like turning off the lights and not idling the car.

"If everyone takes the challenge, it will improve Hampstead," she said.

Skidmore delivered the library's outreach to local merchants, who have contributed coupons and gifts. The library has also posted a carbon challenge page on its Web site.

Merrily Samuels, assistant library director, researched information on energy audits, recycling and other related topics, and compiled a list of Web sites.

She also ordered new books about environmental issues, she said, pointing to a new display next to the reference desk.

During the challenge, people can recycle cell phones, (regular) batteries, ink cartridges, CDs and DVDs at the library, Skidmore said.