Summary
We've added another unique item you can check out with your library card. Learn about how CO2 Monitors work and how they arrived at BPL!
Thanks to Sofia for this post on these handy devices, now available with your library card!
Have you ever thought about the quality of the air you are breathing? It is easy to take it for granted until it becomes a problem. Carbon dioxide is a clear, odourless gas that we all exhale while we breathe. This gas is everywhere around us, all the time, and that is completely normal. The problem comes when there is too much of it, with no adequate ventilation. In addition to tiredness, headaches and other symptoms, indoor pollutants can also increase within a poorly ventilated space. This includes bacteria and viruses!
Late in 2024, the Brighton Public Library was successful at applying to an organization called Community Access to Ventilation Information to get four free carbon dioxide monitors to be used by the community.
“I am always on the lookout for items that can add something meaningful to our collection. Sometimes it’s word of mouth, other times I go looking. This time I received an email from CAVI about their library program. I applied and was successful.” – Heather Ratz, CEO
You are now able to check out a CO2 monitor with your library card the same way you would check out a book, a magazine or a DVD. We invite you to visit one of our branches to ask about the monitors at the main desk. They are small and very easy to use, and they come with all the instructions you need to get an accurate read. All you need to do is take the monitor outside and pop the batteries in. After a few minutes, it should have a read of 400-450 ppm and this indicates it is ready to use. You can then take the monitor indoors and try it in different rooms of your home or office. The booklet included with the device gives some recommendations on what to do if you get a fair or poor ventilation reading, so you can improve your indoor air quality.
We are very excited for you to try these out! As your library, we are always in the lookout for ways to offer you a wide range of opportunities to discover with your library card. If you’ve taken one of these devices home already, let us know what you think!