WebJunction content and upcoming webinars

Highlighted Content

Sustainability 101: As we think about the future of our libraries and how we, as library leaders, help to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors, we must confront the realities of climate change. No corner of the world will be left untouched by climate change. The 2019 report of the Lancet Countdown, a widely respected publication in the medical community, noted that “The life of every child born today will be profoundly affected by climate change. Without accelerated intervention, this new era will come to define the health of people at every stage of their lives.” This article is part of the series of resources and webinars created by the Sustainable Libraries Initiative team, in collaboration with WebJunction, to support libraries in creating a more sustainable future.

Tackling Children’s Food Insecurity with Community Partners: The Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) in Little Rock, Arkansas, adopted a strategic plan in 2019 to help identify and eliminate barriers faced by people throughout the communities they served. The City of Little Rock had been simultaneously exploring grant opportunities to help feed underserved children in the local area. CALS, in partnership with city directors, the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, won a National League of Cities grant to initiate the project. Together, they partnered with vendors and feeding site sponsors to supply lunch to those who qualify, and the program expanded from there.

Advancing IDEAs: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, 8 August 2023: This is the latest Hanging Together blog post, part of a regular series on issues of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility, compiled by a team of OCLC contributors.

WebJunction Webinars for You

These upcoming webinars are open for registration. If you can’t attend a live session, all WebJunction webinars are recorded and available for free in the Course Catalog.

Climate Action Planning (Part 1): An Introduction

Wednesday, August 16, 2023 ◆ 2:00 pm Eastern / 11:00 am Pacific ◆ 90 minutes

Recording will be posted to: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/climate-action-planning-1.html

Climate action requires a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions combined with increasing community resilience, all through a lens of climate justice. Join this webinar to find out where your time and energy can be best spent in the face of the overwhelming nature of climate action. Learn from library practitioners that have been early adopters of climate action through the award-winning Sustainable Library Certification Program, to help organize your own thinking on how to implement a climate action plan at your library that will have the biggest impact locally and globally.

Libraries Helping Refugees and New Immigrants Learn the US Financial System

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 ◆ 3:00 pm Eastern / 12:00 pm Pacific ◆ 60 minutes

Registration: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/new-immigrants-financial-system.html

Many refugees arriving in the US have spent all of their lives in a refugee camp before coming to the US, and most immigrants to the US come from countries with minimal infrastructure. Navigating the US financial system is an important skill these individuals must develop to thrive in their new home country. Libraries can provide some of that assistance. In this session, learn about free and trustworthy financial literacy resources developed specifically for new immigrants and refugees. Librarians will share how they work with new immigrant and refugee communities to provide this vital education.

Climate Action Planning (Part 2): Disaster Preparedness and Community Resilience

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 ◆ 2:00 pm Eastern / 12:00 am Pacific ◆ 90 minutes

Registration: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/climate-action-planning-2.html

This panel discussion will feature practitioners with deep experience in preparing both their libraries, and their communities, for the impacts of climate change. Our panel will speak to traditional disaster preparedness, business continuity planning, community resilience work, and preparing communities for severe weather events and the increased likelihood of food supply interruptions. While libraries are not first responders, they should be connected with the emergency management community and be positioned as part of both the short-term and long-term “first restorer” network as disruptions amplified by climate change happen with more frequency.

This program is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Thank you,

Cathy Lancaster

Youth Services Coordinator

Library of Michigan
702 W. Kalamazoo St.
Lansing, MI 48915
My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org to learn more.

LancasterC5@michigan.gov | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan
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Join the MiYouth Listserv, created for Michigan public library staff to share and discuss children and teen programming and services.