FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 11, 2008 Contact: Harriett Zipfel, 234-0441

New technology in energy saving lighting has been introduced at the Belleville Public Library and its West Branch according to Harriett Zipfel, Library Director. A grant to improve the lighting efficiency was secured from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. Bright Commercial Lighting of Coulterville, Illinois was employed to upgrade the lights on the second floor of the main library and throughout the West Branch Library. Energy costs are lower; the lighting design is more like natural light with a healthy radiance. The Public is invited to observe the new lighting at both Belleville Public Library locations.

Thanks to the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation the West Branch replaced all their interior lights with more energy efficient light. It will lower the ongoing cost of energy at the library while increasing seeable light by as much as 20 %. The lighting upgrade on the second floor of the main library has a projected savings of 12.23 kW per hour. This includes electrical savings plus the direct environmental savings within the library.

Library hours are 9 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Thursday, and 9 AM to 5 PM, Friday and Saturdays, closed Sundays. The West Branch is open 9 AM to 5 PM Monday, Wednesday and Saturday and noon to 8 PM Tuesday and Thursday, closed Fridays and Sundays.