We are excited to announce the latest instalment of the Shifting Governance: Important conversations for our times series, a joint initiative of the BCLTA and the Association of BC Public Library Directors (ABCPLD)!
Climate Crisis and Public Library Governance
- November 14th, 6:30PM to 8:30PM (Pacific Time)
- Via Zoom
- Fee: $10 per participant
As with previous Shifting Governance sessions this will be an online event for library directors and trustees to get together, hear from speakers, and participate in break-out discussions.
We are grateful to the following members of our community who will be sharing with us their thoughts and stories of the climate crisis during the first half of the session:
- Kevin Millsip, Executive Director, BC Libraries Cooperative – Why public libraries are part of the climate crisis discussion
- Stephanie Hall, Library Director and Alastair Nimmons, Board Chair, West Vancouver Memorial Library will share their story of the WVML’ Climate Future and having a Climate Writer in Residence
- Tracey Therrien, Chief Librarian and Annie Holtby, Board Chair, Nelson Public Library will discuss the climate and strategic planning
- Wendy Wright, Library Director and Christine Tessier, Board Chair, Smithers Public Library: Smithers public library will share their experience of the library as a refuge.
- Rina Hadziev, Executive Director, BC Library Association will share with us some of the discussions that are taking place with library associations across Canada such as association statements and supporting staff and boards with their distinct but aligned work.
The second half of the session will be break-out room discussions focusing on the climate crisis and board work.
The proposed discussion prompts are:
- What are your thoughts regarding climate crisis and board work?
- How do you see the climate crisis affecting board advocacy for funding?
- How might the board make it easier for the library director and staff to take action?
- How might it affect the board’s oversight of budgets, policies, and strategic direction?
Suggested resources for this session:
- BCLTA Discussion Starter: Climate Crisis
- Climate Action Week (BC Library Association)
- Local Government Climate Action (Government of BC)
- BC First Nations Climate Strategy and Action Plan Development (BC Assembly of First Nations)
Email Babs Kelly at babs.kelly@bclta.ca with your questions and comments about the session and with any recommended resources to add to the Discussion Starter.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.