IN DEPTH
David McLoughlin, Capital Project Manager, Libraries NI.
‘‘
Improving the energy performance of each library went hand-in-hand with enhancing the customer experience. The projects were not just about numbers on a meter but rather creating warm, bright, welcoming places where people want to spend time.
Setting the Standard: Libraries NI leads the way with UK’s first EnerPHit-certified public building
David McLoughlin explores how Libraries NI was able to focus sustainability as part of refurbishment scheme that led to a UK-first for environmental standards.
WHEN Libraries NI set out to refurbish a trio of rural libraries – Ballymoney, Killyleagh, and Bessbrook – the goal was clear: transform old and tired spaces into modern, sustainable and welcoming community hubs.
A focus on this clear goal and a collective desire to create environmentally efficient library spaces led to a benchmark-setting achievement. Ballymoney Library became the first public building in the UK to achieve the prestigious EnerPHit standard – an accolade that would earn Libraries NI recognition as a runner-up in the EDGE2025 Awards and shortlisted in the Con- struction Excellence Awards for Northern Ireland. The Libraries NI team set out the vision for these three libraries successfully securing funding from the Department for the Economy’s Invest to Save initiative, which encourages public sector organisa- tions to develop projects that deliver long-term cost savings and environmental gains. With rising energy costs, climate goals to meet, and ageing infrastruc- ture across the estate, the challenge was both urgent and compelling.
The team’s response was bold. “We recognised early on that we had an opportunity to do something significant and different,” said Tim Neeson, RIBA, Libraries NI Assets Manager. “We weren’t just aim- ing for an upgrade – we wanted to futureproof these libraries and demonstrate that public buildings, and libraries in particular, can lead the way in environ- mental responsibility.”
Teamwork: the engine behind the transformation
Delivering these ambitious projects relied on 40 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL
seamless collaboration between departments across Libraries NI and external organisations. Librar- ies NI’s team of Tim Neeson, David McLoughlin (Capital Project Manager) and Matthew Dickinson (Assets Officer) managed the physical element of the builds from conception to completion, ensuring that every technical detail met the rigorous EnerPHit standard. Working closely with architects, contrac- tors and specialist consultants, the team managed each stage of the process to deliver high-performing, sustainable buildings that met both design ambi- tions and environmental targets.
The projects also benefited from the expertise of a range of staff across Libraries NI, including frontline library staff who advised on layout and customer needs, Intelligent Customer Technology staff who ensured all digital systems and infrastructure were in place, and the Marketing team who helped com- municate changes and promote the new facilities to the public. This collaborative approach helped ensure the retrofitted buildings not only worked well behind the scenes but also met the needs of the people using them – from the layout and technology to the promotion and implementation of services and activities.
From furniture procurement and decanting to customer and stakeholder communications for the launch – and early engagement with customers through updates, displays, and feedback opportuni- ties – it was a multi-faceted operation that high- lighted Libraries NI’s project experience. “Working across departments created a real sense of shared ownership,” said Kirsty McClelland, Ser- vice Development Manager. “Everyone involved un- derstood the importance of this work; not just from
Autumn 2025
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70
