Plymouth Library's Green Roof

Our local library thinks green, with its red roof and more.

Last spring there was a lot of hubbub over Plymouth Library’s sustainable roof, and just more than a year later, there still is.

Senior librarian Trudy Hanus says, “Last spring we provided tours for 45 elementary school classes including more than 1,100 students and 280 adults.” And now she gets questions about that and other neat features just about every week.

So here are some facts that might answer a few of your questions. First, the red plants on the roof are Minnesota-native perennials. Hanus explains that having them on the roof helps insulate the building from summer and winter weather. Second, she says, “Plymouth Library does not have a furnace. Rather, 120 geothermal wells deep beneath the parking lot provide heating and cooling for the library.” Even the carpets keep sustainable practices in mind as they’re made from recycled materials.

John Wicks, senior project manager for the Hennepin County Property Services, explains that sustainable design was a way to cut down on long-term operating costs. Though it’s hard to have complete information about Plymouth Library as it’s so new, he says early indications report that “it is one of our least costly buildings to operate on a square foot basis.”