February 12, 2021
K-State Libraries receives grant to support programs about climate change
K-State librarians Carol Sevin and Ellen R. Urton have received a $1,000 grant from Resilient Communities: Libraries Respond to Climate Change, an initiative of the American Library Association that will help libraries engage their communities in programs and conversations on the climate crisis. Resilient Communities strives to raise awareness and provide accurate information about the climate change crisis to the public through libraries. During the spring 2021 semester, Libraries' staff will use the grant funds to support programming related to climate change.
"We are so honored to join Resilient Communities at K-State Libraries," said Sevin, science librarian. "In a time when climate change is beginning to dramatically affect our everyday lives, we are eager to bring these fact-based, educational programs and important dialogues to our community."
The Libraries have partnered with multiple campus and community organizations to help create a community that is resilient to challenges, and inspired and committed to addressing climate change, social justice and sustainability. In particular, K-State Libraries staff wish to bring awareness to the issue of flooding and other extreme weather events that occur frequently throughout Kansas and the local area.
The following virtual community events are free and open to the public.
- Feb. 16 and Feb. 23 from 7 to 8 p.m.: Keep Your Cool Book Discussion, in partnership with Manhattan Public Library, on "A field guide to climate anxiety: How to keep your cool on a warming planet," by Sarah Jaquette Ray. Free copies of the book, which are supported by the grant, can be picked up by book club attendees at the second-floor help desk in Hale Library, or at the second-floor desk of Manhattan Public Library.
- March 2 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.: Film screening of "Fire & Flood," in partnership with K-State's LGBT Resource Center.
- Lecture by Rev. Vernon K. Walker, program manager of Communities Responding to Extreme Weather, more details to come.
- March 23 at 4 p.m.: Community Workshop: Rooting Resilience Along Wildcat Creek. The workshop will include discussions in breakout rooms and be facilitated by K-State's Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy.
Hale Library will also have a collection of climate change-related DVDs for checkout and will be designated as a Climate Resilient Hub by the organization Communities Responding to Extreme Weather. This will position the Libraries to provide ongoing education and community support during extreme weather events.
If you are interested in attending any of these events, please register using this survey. Once you have registered, you will be provided with more information on how to join the event. For more information on these events, please visit the events calendar.