Resilient Communities
Libraries Respond to Climate Change
Providence Public Library is one of 25 institutions included in ALA's Resilient Communities: Libraries Respond to Climate Change. The program supports public and academic libraries in efforts to engage their communities in programs and conversations that address the climate crisis.
The goals of this project include:
- Raising awareness and providing accurate information about the climate crisis to the public through libraries
- Designating libraries as Climate Resilience Hubs, positioning them to provide ongoing public education and community support during extreme weather events
- Engaging library staff in local partnerships and environmental justice efforts that emphasize bottom-up organizing, shared community leadership, and the centering of those most impacted by climate change, particularly communities of color and underserved communities
- Creating space in libraries for communities to engage in conversation, mobilize for the initiation of sustainability policies and practices, and build more resilient communities
- Identifying and documenting relevant, replicable programming models for future national distribution
Upcoming Resilient Communities Events
The Nature of Things Book Club
March 31, 2021, 7 - 8pm on Zoom.
Current book: Fathoms: The World in the Whale by Rebecca Giggs.
Climate Change: How to Make a Difference (Part 2)
Facilitated by Youth in Action's Outdoor Equity Group
March 18, 5:30 - 6:30pm on Zoom.
Participants will leave this virtual workshop with the tools to talk about environmental justice and how to bring environmentally friendly practices into their daily lives and make change in their community. This workshop, conducted by Youth in Action’s Outdoor Equity youth group, is intended for adult and teen audiences and builds on themes and content presented in Climate Change: Intersectionality of Environment and Identity Workshop (Part 1). Attendance of the Part 1 event is helpful but not required.
Childrens' Takeaway Bags - Environmentally themed
Ongoing January - April.
Email akilkenny@provlib.org to register your child.
STEM Advantage
STEM Advantage Program
For children ages 6-10, on Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30 pm, March 24 - June 9 via Zoom.
- Youth will participate in fun, hands-on activities about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
- Youth will be paired with an older student STEM Mentor.
- Youth will be exposed to inspiring scientists, engineers, and conservationists, who represent a variety of careers and education pathways.
For more information or to register, please email akilkenny@provlib.org
STEM Advantage Mentor Program
For youth ages 12-18, on Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30 pm, March 24 - June 9 via Zoom. Participants will earn a $120 stipend.
- Be a positive influence in a younger student’s life.
- Help your community, your environment, and our future leaders.
- Gain experience working with youth.
For more information, please email teensquad@provlib.org
Past Events
Climate Change: Intersectionality of Environment and Identity Workshop (Part 1)
Facilitated by Youth in Action's Outdoor Equity Group
Jan 14, 2021, 5:30 - 6:30pm on Zoom.
Participants will learn about climate change and environmental justice issues impacting Providence and beyond. This workshop, conducted by Youth in Action’s Outdoor Equity youth group, is open to adult and teen participants.
Fire & Flood Film Screening and Panel Discussion
February 25, 6:30 - 8pm on Zoom.
Fire & Flood: Queer Resilience in the Era of Climate Change tells the story of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the fires in Santa Rosa, California, two-near simultaneous climate-related disasters in the fall of 2017, through the voices of LGBTQ people who lived through them and were part of the community response. The film explores the vulnerability of LGBTQ communities to climate disasters and lifts up queer and trans strategies for resilience, transition, and survival.
Registered participants will watch the film prior to February 25 in preparation for the film panel discussion on the 25th. Participants will be emailed a link and access code to watch the film after registering for the event. The film is approximately 102 minutes in length.
Panelists include local and regional environmental justice advocates. The panel discussion will revolve about the film, climate change's impact in Rhode Island, and the intersectionality within the climate justice movement, specifically with regards to the LGBTQ and BIPOC communities. Participants will be able to ask panelists questions during the event.
This program series is also supported by funding from the Rhode Island Chapter of the Sierra Club
