A contribution to more sustainability

Libraries worldwide are committed to the goals of the 2030 Agenda. With it, the UN member states have set themselves 17 goals for socially, economically and ecologically sustainable development. The Stadtbibliothek Bremen is also focusing on the topic of sustainability with projects such as the seed library , the library gardens, the bee feeder and the planned “Library of Things”. And of course, our principle of borrowing media is in itself very resource-saving.

Conversion to LED lighting 

The conversion of our libraries to LED lighting is also in the spirit of sustainability, because the light-emitting diodes save a lot of energy and therefore a lot of CO₂. The conversion has already been completed in the Lesum and Vegesack district libraries. Modernization measures are currently progressing in the central library. “We have already switched to LED lighting on the middle floors (in the 'tower'), and now the areas in the old building ring will follow,” explains Tina Echterdiek, head of the central library. For them, the advantages of the conversion are obvious. “With the new lighting, we not only save up to 50 percent energy, but also reduce maintenance costs because the LED lighting has a significantly longer service life,” says Echterdiek. For comparison: fluorescent lamps have an operating life of around 10,000 hours, while light-emitting diodes can last up to 50,000 hours.  

Better light quality 

The LED lighting is financed from the “Climate Protection Action Area”, a special fund that the Bremen Senate has anchored in the Bremen budget to promote climate protection. But it's not just climate protection that plays a role in the conversion. “Our customers will also benefit from the better quality of light,” explains Georg von Stumpff, building manager of our libraries. The engineer played a key role in planning the conversion and lists the advantages of LED lighting. “The new lighting has an even more inviting, reader-friendly and concentration-enhancing effect on our customers and the atmosphere,” he says. And in the coming years the turnaround should also be achieved in the other district libraries.  

January 23, 2022