Read All About It: Green Arizona Library

It looks like Arizona has read up on environmental building engineering with its Arabian Library, an award-winning concept that incorporates green design with functional, modern ambiance. Because new generations of readers rely almost entirely on the Internet for information, developers at the Phoenix-based Richärd + Bauer architecture firm took a page from bookstores when designing the Scottsdale library, adding myriad lounge areas, online book reservation, self-checkout kiosks and a drive-thru window. Library officials report circulation has increased 25% in the last year. How’s that for book smarts? [via inhabitat]