This session will be held in-person at the Gardiner Library, 133 Farmer's Turnpike, Gardiner NY. View map.

The American Library Association has called climate change the “greatest challenge of our generation.” In partnership with the Mid-Hudson Library System and Ramapo Catskill Library System, Sustainable Hudson Valley has designed a program of action planning, training and support for libraries as living laboratories for climate resilience in their communities. This will help library leadership make their facilities energy-secure, safe and comfortable in extreme weather, and position them to serve as community hubs for education and action projects to help their surrounding neighborhood deal with climate change.

This cohort program includes 4-sessionsto facilitate participants’ understanding of climate resilience needs and opportunities at and around their locations, and the participatory approaches to working with local stakeholder partners to capture these opportunities. This series is designed as a cohort, and is open to RCLS and MHLS member libraries. Ideally, participants will attend all four sessions together. Teams from individual libraries are encouraged.

Session 3  - How to Get It Done

More on Financing and Planning, with detailed case studies and discussion of technical assistance resources. Funding sources, requirements and pitfalls; timing of funding opportunities; matching funds required, and opportunities by sector (electrification and building heating and cooling; landscaping for storm/ flood resilience, biodiversity and food production; transportation; communications and emergency response) will be covered.

Participants will receive 2 CE credits for attending this session. This session does not count towards trustee education.