Harmony Library uses several approaches to task lighting.  An important one is Energy Star table and floor lamps, manufactured by the Adjustable Fixture Co., of Wisconsin.  Besides meeting lighting needs efficiently, they create a sense of intimacy and add interest to the library.

Long Life Saves Money
Energy Star Fixtures, such as those installed in Harmony Library, come with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) that typically last at least 10,000 hours (as opposed to most incandescent bulbs, which typically last about 500 hours).  These long-life CFLs mean that less time and money are spent replacing burnt-out incandescent light bulbs. By using 26-watt CFLs in the Energy Star lamps, which provide the equivalent light of a 75-watt incandescent light bulb, the task lighting uses only one-third the electricity compared to conventional lighting sources.  This means lower electricity bills and fewer greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere from generating electricity.

The "pin-based" CFLs fit into dedicated Energy Star fixture sockets only and cannot be unscrewed and stolen.  Vandalism and theft, which have prevented facility managers from using other long-life CFL products in the past, are greatly reduced with Energy Star fixtures.

Maximizing Light While Minimizing Lighting Costs
Lighting typically accounts for about one-third of a building's electricity costs, so minimizing lighting costs while maximizing lighting quality were top priorities for the new library.  Harmony's carefully designed windows and celestories maximize natural light and minimize the need for electric lights.  The natural light is complemented by well-designed electric lighting and efficient equipment.

An important part of the electric lighting strategy is providing the right amount of light where and when it's needed.  The library is bathed in a comfortable level of ambient light, which allows patrons to browse the stacks, find materials, and use computers.  Task lighting provides additional illumination where it is needed:  for example, at reference and circulation desks and in reading and study areas.

New Efficient Lamps Win Patrons' Endorsement
The public has responded positively to the library's lighting, especially the Energy Star desk lamps.

"People like the warm color the lamps provide and they create a nice, cozy pool of light to read by,"  notes Karen Dornseif, one of the main librarians who has monitored the use and performance of the lamps.  "Many folks commented on how attractive they are, and I have seen people moving the lamps around on the tables to where they need them"

"Finding the right lighting that met all of the library's needs turned out to be more challenging than we thought it would be,"  says Doug Swartz, an energy services engineer with the City of Fort Collins Utilities, who has tracked the design and operation of the new building.  The lamps had to be durable, attractive, low maintenance and, of course, as energy efficient as possible.  Adjustable Fixture Co.'s Energy Star-labeled desk and floor lamps met those criteria.

For the Harmony Library project, Adjustable Fixture Co. modified the fixture design to include an instant-on-electronic ballast, a lamp that can be supplied by several manufacturers, and a built-in timer that switches lights off after two hours.  This frees librarians from having to walk around turning off unused lights.

"Harmony Library demonstrates that the Energy Star fixtures are not just for homes," notes Peter Banwell, director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star Residential Light Fixture Program.  "These work well in all kinds of municipal buildings, from libraries to city halls to fire and police stations."