Resilient Communities: Libraries Respond to Climate Change

Resilient Communities: Libraries Respond to Climate Change, an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA), helps libraries engage their communities in programs and conversations that address the climate crisis.

The pilot program (2020-21) funded film screenings, community dialogues and related events based on local interest in 25 public and academic libraries. It also funded the creation of a suite of free programming resources about the climate crisis that is available to all libraries. 

Applications for this pilot phase are now closed.

• View a list of libraries selected for the pilot phase
• Project guidelines
• Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
• Donate to support the project
• Resilient Communities: A Programming Guide for Libraries (FREE DOWNLOAD) >>>>

For grantee libraries

• Information for Resilient Communities grantees
• Information for $500 stipend recipients

Webinar recordings

• Pre-application webinar (recorded 8/6/20)
• Idea Shower-and-Share (recorded 8/12/20)

News​

• "How Libraries Are Improving Climate Literacy in Their Communities" (Yale Climate Connections, April 6, 2021)

• "ALA awards programming grants to help libraries address the climate change crisis" (ALA News, October 26, 2020)
• "Libraries invited to apply for 'Resilient Communities: Libraries Respond to Climate Change'" (ALA News, July 1, 2020)
• "Ready for a Changing World: Design Challenges, Virtual Learning and Climate Change" (Programming Librarian, June 17, 2020)
• "Veggie Teens: Earth-Friendly Cooking Programs" (Programming Librarian, May 6, 2020)
• "Making a Difference on Earth Day and Every Day: Carol Phelps on Small-Scale Philanthropy toward 'Resilient Communities'" (Library Journal, April 22, 2020)
• "7 Ways to Celebrate Nature while Social Distancing" (Programming Librarian, April 21, 2020)
• "Ready-to-Go Story Times for Earth Day 2020" (Programming Librarian, April 15, 2020)
• "Less Prep, More Presence: Why 2020 Is Not the Year to Skip Earth Day" (Programming Librarian, April 8, 2020)
• "Can Libraries Help Solve Climate Change? This Wisconsin Couple Says Yes" (I Love Libraries, March 5, 2020)
• "New ALA Program Will Help Libraries Address Climate Crisis" (ALA News, Feb. 5, 2020)

Project advising is provided by representatives of ALA’s Sustainability Round Table, a professional forum for ALA members to exchange ideas and opportunities regarding sustainability in order to move toward a more equitable, healthy and economically just society. Learn about the project advisors.

The Resilient Communities: Libraries Respond to Climate Change pilot program has been made possible by Andrew and Carol Phelps.