An Introduction to the National Climate Action Strategy for Libraries

Free and available exclusively to ALA members

Climate change is one of the grandest challenges facing our generation. The National Climate Action Strategy for Libraries was announced in 2024 by the American Library Association in partnership with the award-winning Sustainable Libraries Initiative in order to provide guidance and tools to help expedite climate action work in libraries. From working to reduce the impact library operations have on future climate change, to the pressing need for work to adapt in the face of the predicted impacts of climate change, to how to ensure climate action is done through a justice lens—the strategy helps library stakeholders better understand the context of decisions that will be made at your library in the coming years and how you can be a catalyst for positive change at your library and in your community. In addition to rolling out the strategy itself, a practical implementation guide with definitions, examples, and simple steps to get started was also released. This webinar will explain both the strategy and the implementation guide and help any library stakeholder identify a path forward on this important topic.

Panelists

Rebekkah Smith Aldrich (she/her), MLS, LEED AP, is the executive director of the Mid-Hudson Library System in New York, co-founder of the award-winning Sustainable Libraries Initiative, and chair of the National Climate Action Strategy for Libraries Working Group. For over twenty-five years, Rebekkah has worked with public libraries across the world to help them connect with their community needs to help create viable, vital, and vibrant library services that strengthen social cohesion, serve as a catalyst for civic participation, and ensure that our communities thrive into the future. Rebekkah is the principal author of the award-winning Sustainable Library Certification Program; the recently released National Climate Action Strategy for Libraries; handbooks for both library trustees and new library directors in New York State; and she’s also written three books on how libraries contribute to sustainable, resilient, and regenerative communities.

Important Registration Information

An ALA eLearning account is required to register for this free virtual series. Don’t have an account? Create one for free by going to the “Log in” menu located at the top right corner in the ALA eLearning site. Although no membership is required to create the account, you must be an ALA member to register for this ALA member-exclusive webinar. If you encounter any issues registering for this series, then please email ce@ala.org for assistance.

You may also like Getting Started with Climate Action Planning in Public Libraries, a webinar on April 30, 2025.