CPDWL Webinar: Libraries for a Greener Future: Innovative Responses to Climate Change

About the Webinar

Title: CPDWL Webinar: Libraries for a Greener Future: Innovative Responses to Climate Change

Date: January 17, 2025 (Fri.)

Time: 9:00 to 10:30 PM HKT

This exceptional CPDWL webinar explored how libraries are addressing the pressing issue of climate change through innovative services. These initiatives are pivotal, positioning libraries at the vanguard of environmental education and sustainability efforts. The webinar was conducted in an extraordinary format where the insightful presentations by our esteemed speakers was followed by a panel discussion featuring experts and chairs from various IFLA Regional Division Committees.

View the speakers’ slides and video

Claire McGuire Why is the Climate Important for IFLA (and Libraries)?

Traci Engel Lesneski Libraries for a Greener Future: the built environment’s role

Webinar Video: CPDWL Webinar: Libraries for a Greener Future: Innovative Responses to Climate Change

Blog: Libraries for a Greener Future: Webinar Recap

Collaborators:

This session was organized in association with the following IFLA Regional Division Committees:

Europe Regional Division Committee

Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Division Committee

Middle East and North Africa Regional Division Committee

Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Division Committee

North-America Regional Division Committee

Asia-Oceania Regional Division Committee

Esteemed Webinar Speakers:

Claire McGuire

Claire McGuire is the Manager of Policy and Advocacy at the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). She coordinates IFLA’s work with UNESCO, and especially oversees policy and advocacy related to culture, heritage, education, sustainable development, and climate action. She works to integrate the perspective and impact of the global library field into international policy processes and advocate for a supportive environment for libraries in which they can deliver on their missions and realise their potential.

She has a Master of Arts in World Heritage Studies, and a background in communication, awareness-raising, and advocacy for cultural heritage.

Traci Engel Lesneski

President and CEO of MSR Design, Traci uses design as a transformation tool for her clients and their communities. Recent projects Traci led include the Missoula Public Library and Culture House, the first project in North America to be named IFLA/Systematic Public Library of the Year.

Traci regularly contributes papers and lectures internationally about the built environment’s role in promoting well-being and fostering inclusive and cohesive communities. Recent talks include a workshop at Next Library in Aarhus about the built environment’s role in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, and a webinar about community engagement best practices.

Traci Chairs the American Library Association’s Buildings & Operations Section.

Ton van Vlimmeren

Ton van Vlimmeren was director of the Utrecht Public Library in the Netherlands, active in the international networks of the Bertelsmann Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and held various board positions in the library field.

He was President of EBLIDA, the European Library Organization, and a member of the Standing Committee of the Metropolitan Libraries Section of IFLA.

In Utrecht, he acted also as director of Public Education, Real Estate and Urban Development, and Civic Services.

He is a board member of Public Libraries 2030 in Brussels, a member of the Supervising Board of a social housing corporation, and works as a library consultant.

Erik Boekesteijn

Senior advisor at the National Library of the Netherlands. Library Avenger. Board member StoryHouse, Chester UK, Fellow LIS Syracuse, USA, Consultant PL 2020 and founder of PL 2030 in Brussels. Facilitator and consultant for IFLA. Presenter, motivator, musician and author. Erik has worked with architects such as Zaha Hadid, Francine Houben, Stewart & Hollenstein and others on the design and development of libraries in many countries around the world.

Awards: LJ’s Mover and Shaker of the Library World 2009, Best Librarian in the Netherlands 2015

Calvert Wright

Calvert Wright is an architect, educator, and director of Calvert Wright Architecture PC | Spatial Discipline. His work is driven by a belief in the transformative power of thoughtfully designed spaces and is regularly published and exhibited. Past honors have included an AIA Excellence in Architecture Award. Recognized as a thought leader in the design of 21st-century libraries and learning environments, Calvert frequently speaks about the evolving needs of today’s libraries. Before founding his firm, Calvert taught at Princeton and Cornell. Today, in addition to leading his firm, Calvert serves as an Associate Professor at Pratt Institute.

Lin Li Soh

Lin Li Soh is the Chair of the IFLA Asia-Oceania Regional Division.

Ertugrul Çimen

Ertugrul Çimen is the Chair of the IFLA Europe Regional Division.

Jeannette Lebrón Ramos

Jeannette Lebrón Ramos is the IFLA Latin America and Caribbean Regional Division.

Saif AlJabri

Saif AlJabri is the Chair of the IFLA Middle East and North Africa Regional Division.

Diane Koen

Diane Koen is the Chair of the IFLA North America Regional Division.

Ayanda Lebele

Ayanda Lebele is the Chair of the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Division.

Participants will gain valuable insights into the role of libraries in environmental stewardship during the presentations and expert discussions. This webinar also features an introduction to the IFLA Library Map of the World on SDG Stories, enhancing participants’ expertise and insights.

Support

For further information or inquiries, please contact Helen Chan, Chair of the IFLA CPDWL Section, via email at [email protected].