Binghamton University Libraries awarded grant to address climate crisis

Binghamton University Libraries is one of only five academic libraries nationwide and 25 libraries in total to be awarded full grants by the American Library Association for a pilot program to address the climate crisis. Resilient Communities: Libraries Respond to Climate Change is designed to help libraries engage with their local communities with programs to address the climate crisis.

The successful grant application was submitted science librarians Neyda Gilman and Jen Embree, who will work with on- and off-campus individuals and groups on collaborative projects and programming.

“Applying for, and now receiving this grant and becoming a part of this pilot program, has been invigorating in many ways,” said Gilman. “We have developed collaborations with a wide range of groups and individuals both off and on campus and every single one of them has excitedly and wholeheartedly jumped into working on sustainability issues with us. Not only does this provide us with unique and intriguing ideas, it emphasizes the passion and interest the wider community has in sustainability issues.”

According to the ALA, one of the goals of this initiative is to work with underserved populations, including international students, those with food insecurities, the LGBTQ community and racial minorities, all of whom are frequently left out of discussions on sustainability yet are often the most affected by climate change.

“We are so excited about all of the incredible sustainability collaborations, programming and events that have and will come about due to this grant,” said Embree. “We hope that these efforts will serve as a great beginning to an established and sustained commitment within the Libraries to serve as a hub for sustainability education, activity, research and activism for our campus community.”

To promote awareness of climate issues and how to address them, the following programs and activities are under development:

• a virtual panel discussion with local experts in collaboration with the Broome County Public Library and Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments;
• a program on climate change and racism with Binghamton University’s Multicultural Resources Center;
• designation of the Libraries as a Climate Resilience Hub — the only one in New York state — by committing to share information with the local community about emergency weather preparedness;
• co-sponsorship of events with University student groups, such as Zero Hour;
• a group screening of films provided by the ALA that specifically address underserved populations; and
• an online sustainability guide to share programs, resources and news.

“This innovative program represents an excellent opportunity for libraries to foster discussions and build alliances to combat the climate crisis,” said Dean of Libraries Curtis Kendrick. “The program also represents some new opportunities for libraries to help foster the recognition that we can play an expanded role in promoting awareness about sustainability issues within our communities.”

For more, contact Gilman at ngilman@binghamton.edu or Embree at jembree@binghamton.edu.