While going through times of economic crunch, frugality is required on our part. Conservation of the resources that we have at our disposal is key in terms of guiding us through these financially turbulent times. Given the number of buildings around our sizeable campus, it is natural that the University’s electric bill would be colossal. However, not all of the electricity consumption is necessary, and D.H. Hill Library is an area where we can improve.

With nine stories worth of almost constant 24 hour activity, D.H. Hill Library accounts for a large chunk of electric output. With the number of lights, power outlets and computer terminals running day after day, a lot of electricity is needed to keep the library running. Something should be done to improve this.

There have already been efforts by the University to cut down energy costs in unused facilities. Hoods in science labs have reminder stickers for students and faculty using them to make sure they are kept low. Certain buildings are partially or completely shut down during long breaks. We can even look forward to a more sustainable energy source with our new steam plants.

Regardless of the time of year, the library runs continuously, except for eight hours on Friday and Saturday evenings. On weekdays, during the early hours of the morning, there is hardly a soul in sight on the upper floors, yet all lights remain turned on. It makes sense to have the Learning Commons completely functional at all times, as there are always a few people taking advantage of the tranquility absent during the hustle and bustle of the day. However, to have all the floors running with a mere handful of people around in the early morning hours is an unnecessary drain on the University’s resources. To have the lights turned on throughout the book stacks on all floors with barely any people around doesn’t exactly reflect an efficient practice.

Installing sensors could be a huge help in this matter. Having only as many lights on as the number of people would provide the Libraries and the University with the dual benefit of curtailing energy expenses and not denying students the right to utilize all the facilities the library has to offer at any time. It is true that in the current scheme of things, purchasing and setting up these sensors would be costly initially. This is something the University would be trying to avoid with the recently proposed budget cuts, but this method would ensure long term savings for the University.

This plan could be implemented in the library initially as a trial on their busiest floor in the stacks. If it does cut down on electricity costs, this approach could be applied to other parts of the library and buildings on campus, which see lesser amounts of student activity during certain hours. If the trial is effective, the University could even pursue this as another performance contract to offset the cost. Such an approach to curbing costs is a logical addition to the University’s efforts to be more sustainable and save money.

Leading by example, N.C. State should be a standard for the community. By doing its part for the community at large, we could promote the concept of “sustainable development” and spread the value of conservation as opposed to cuts as an economically feasible and a much more efficient option of curbing high energy costs and expenses.