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"We insulated ourselves from rising electric costs.And they're going up. There's no question about it."
The tiny Delmont Public Library faced an existential crisis. Its landlord, the local borough, informed the library board that they needed to vacate their existing space, but finding a suitable replacement in the area was nearly impossible. Rather than settling for a suboptimal rental, the board made a bold decision to build a brand-new, net-zero energy facility from the ground up.
Under the leadership of David Weber, then-president of the library board, the project was envisioned as a community gem to showcase energy independence and forward-thinking design. Today, the Delmont Public Library is a testament to what is possible when a community refuses to accept rising utility costs as inevitable, and works with its stakeholders to garner buy-in through individualized outreach.
Weber, an electrical engineer and early adopter who installed his own residential solar energy system in 2013, pushed for a holistic approach. The goal was to maximize energy efficiency and minimize long-term operational and maintenance expenses for the library. The board wanted to ensure that future library directors and patrons would not be burdened by escalating utility bills, a common pain point for public institutions.
From the outset, the board agreed to prioritize conservation measures over traditional certification labels. The resulting design was aggressive. The library is now 100% electric, utilizing geothermal heating and cooling, a massive solar array, LED lighting, and even a rainwater catchment system.
The path to this modernized facility was not without its hurdles. The initial architectural estimates came in at $3 million, far exceeding the borough's budget, so the team had to pivot quickly. They moved away from a traditional architect-led design to a design-build contractor in Murrysville, PA. This strategic shift allowed the project to stay within a target budget of roughly $1.5 million while retaining the core green technologies. The final facility, approximately 3,000 square feet, was right-sized for the population, featuring a spacious, welcoming layout and a versatile conference room for local groups.
"When we went to meet R.K. Mellon… I said, 'We have $400,000. I would like to know if you can match that.' And the answer was yes."
Delmont Library Fast Facts:
Yearly Electric Bill: $0
Energy Measures:
- 100-panel (40-kilowatt) solar array
- Geothermal heating & cooling
- LED Lighting
Project Funding:
- Community-based "200" Club
- Local individual & business contributions
- Grant from Richard King Mellon Foundation
Funding the project required a unique approach. The library board decided not to break ground until the money was in hand. This meant launching an ambitious grassroots fundraising campaign!
Weber launched the "200 Club," asking community members to pledge $200 a year for three years. "If you don't ask, you don't get," Weber said. The campaign relied on trust and transparency rather than contracts; donors operated on a handshake agreement, receiving tax letters but no formal payment schedules.
The community response was positively supportive. A local family committed $200,000, and the momentum attracted major institutional support, including a matching grant from the R.K. Mellon Foundation.
"When we went to meet R.K. Mellon... I said, 'We have $400,000. I would like to know if you can match that.' And the answer was yes," Weber said. With $800,000 secured, the project became a magnet for additional donations, including contributions from S&T Bank and hundreds of individual community members.
Construction began around 2018, with the project continuing through the pandemic. The facility features a 40-kilowatt solar array (100 panels) and a geothermal system with wells drilled 250 feet deep.
"The geothermal feature is one of the biggest efficiency drivers," Weber noted. While the solar panels generate the electricity, the geothermal system handles the heating and cooling, extracting heat from the stable 55-degree below-ground water piping – even on the coldest winter days.
The results have been transformative! Since opening in 2021, the library has never paid a utility bill for lighting, heating, or cooling, as the systems are all electric, powered by the solar array. In fact, the facility consistently generates more power than it consumes, selling excess energy back to West Penn Power. Weber estimates the library has received between $6,000 and $8,000 in credits over its first five years, in addition to avoiding what would have been approximately $500 in monthly utility costs.
The benefits extend far beyond the balance sheet. The library has become an educational hub, with real-time solar generation stats displayed on large LCD screens for patrons to monitor. It serves as a model for other institutions, with representatives from other libraries visiting to learn how to replicate the features.
"We've had several other libraries come to the library and discuss how we did it," Weber said. “I explain, here's kind of the nuts and bolts of what you need to do to unburden yourself from those utility bills."
The savings have also allowed the library to expand its programming. Without the drain of utility costs, the library can fund innovative initiatives like "astronaut backpacks" and "plumber backpacks" for children, and maintain a robust schedule of community events. The borough's contribution to the library has dropped to a mere $3,000 annually, a fraction of what is typically required to sustain a public facility.
"Most people look at return on investment and want it in three or five years... With investments like this, it's a longer-term proposition."
The Delmont project offers a blueprint for municipalities and nonprofits nationwide. Weber emphasizes that the key to success was looking beyond the initial cost. "Most people look at return on investment and want it in three or five years," he said. "With investments like this, it's a longer-term proposition."
He also highlights the dramatic drop in technology costs. A 40-kilowatt system that cost the library roughly the same as his 17-kilowatt residential system did in 2013 demonstrates how accessible renewable energy has become.
"We insulated ourselves from rising electric costs," Weber advised. "And they're going up. There's no question about it."
The Delmont Public Library proves that with community will, strategic planning, and a refusal to accept the status quo, public institutions can become leaders in the transition to a sustainable, energy-independent future.
