This renovation of the Brecksville branch library replaced existing lighting with twenty-four 400 watt metal halide indirect uplights mounted at each bay. Prior to the renovation, there was no direct illumination on the stack areas and no nightlight system. The existing light level did not meet IESNA recommended practice.

The new lighting system included multiple linear runs of suspended direct/indirect luminaires with DALI ballasts. DALI was specified for its ability to separate power from control using the T5HO lamping (specified to meet the IESNA recommended practice footcandle levels for library and stack illumination). With a mix of stacks, circulation and seating, the area needed multiple light levels for differing tasks without adding additional circuits to the space for separate control. Photocells were integrated into a small sample of individual luminaires to take advantage of daylight contribution from the skylights. Each luminaire was assigned a photocell to read from—either a stack photocell or a seating area photocell with a similar orientation for consistent light levels based on the time of day and year.

Another advantage of this system, no additional wiring was needed to allow the library to have nightlights for the first time in its history. The system was programmed to allow several luminaires designated as nightlights, bypassing the “All Off” control and adjusting to specified nightlight percentage. This project was selected by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America Progress Committee as an Innovative Application of New Technology award winner.