Opening Session, 9 am
Wednesday, January 25
Wednesday, January 25
The Future is Unwritten
Libraries and library workers have weathered the COVID-19 storm, have been on the front lines to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion and are battling to defend intellectual freedom. We have seen both the best and worst of people over the past three years and yet our institutions prevail, continuing to serve folks in need and building community resilience in the face of ever-changing disruption. So how will we continue to be the beacons of hope so needed in today’s world when we may be tired or discouraged, when we are facing challenges to our core beliefs, and when the world seems more chaotic than ever? While we may not have all the answers today, there are compass settings that will help guide the way.
Rebekkah will share stories from more than 60 libraries nationwide enrolled in the Sustainable Library Certification Program whose leaders are holistically addressing issues of social equity, environmental stewardship and economic feasibility for their libraries and their communities.
Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Executive Director, Mid-Hudson Library System (New York)
Libraries and library workers have weathered the COVID-19 storm, have been on the front lines to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion and are battling to defend intellectual freedom. We have seen both the best and worst of people over the past three years and yet our institutions prevail, continuing to serve folks in need and building community resilience in the face of ever-changing disruption. So how will we continue to be the beacons of hope so needed in today’s world when we may be tired or discouraged, when we are facing challenges to our core beliefs, and when the world seems more chaotic than ever? While we may not have all the answers today, there are compass settings that will help guide the way.
Rebekkah will share stories from more than 60 libraries nationwide enrolled in the Sustainable Library Certification Program whose leaders are holistically addressing issues of social equity, environmental stewardship and economic feasibility for their libraries and their communities.
Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Executive Director, Mid-Hudson Library System (New York)