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Inspiring Climate Action: A Collaborative Effort and a Perfect Partnership

Lynn Blair (Southwick Public Library, USA)

Andrea Bugbee (Pioneer Valley Library Collaborative, USA)

John Meiklejohn (Pioneer Valley Library Collaborative, USA)

How Public Libraries Build Sustainable Communities in the 21st Century

ISBN: 978-1-80382-436-9, eISBN: 978-1-80382-435-2

Publication date: 8 September 2023

Abstract

In the context of the risks inherent in global warming, public libraries can partner with each other, community-based environmental groups and/or other institutions to enhance community resilience and sustainability. This chapter presents a case study of an ongoing experiment to address this opportunityand challenge. In April 2021, six Western MA libraries formed a collaborative in conjunction with a local citizens’ group, Voices for Climate [V4C], to expand public education opportunities relating to understanding, mitigating, and adapting to climate change. In its initial year, this effort yielded 13 separate programs serving more than 110 patrons, all within the 7 days of Climate Preparedness Week, a state-wide program held annually. Subsequently, this Pioneer Valley Library Collaborative [PVLC] has grown to 10 library partners and continues its close alliance with V4C. In describing the programs offered in the first year, the challenges met, limitations encountered, and lessons learned, the chapter provides one model for how libraries can jointly choose to become hubs of climate conversation and education as a means to promote their communities’ quality of life, sustainability, and resilience.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Special Thanks to:

Colin Battis, CREW
Kira Bingemann, Williamstown Public Library
Becky Blackburn, Westfield Athenaeum
Cher Collins, Agawam Public Library
Bernard Davidow, Wilbraham Public Library
Michelle Eberle, Massachusetts Library System
Antonia Golinski-Foisy, West Springfield Public Library
Jacklyn Hart, West Springfield Public Library
Jessica Kelmelis, Tolland Public Library
Benjamin Kalish, Forbes Library
Lise LeTellier, Granville Public Library
Stephanie Levine, Emily Williston Memorial Library
Guy McLain, Westfield Athenaeum
Heather Paparella, Southwick Public Library
Meaghan Schwelm, Westhampton Public Library
Paula Sharon, V4C
Rev. Vernon Walker, CREW
Thank you to all of our presenters and panelists for your participation.

Citation

Blair, L., Bugbee, A. and Meiklejohn, J. (2023), "Inspiring Climate Action: A Collaborative Effort and a Perfect Partnership", Williams-Cockfield, K.C. and Mehra, B. (Ed.) How Public Libraries Build Sustainable Communities in the 21st Century (Advances in Librarianship, Vol. 53), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 165-174. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0065-283020230000053015

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited