Heat waves and wildfires, global pandemics, floods and droughts. We are already experiencing the damaging impact of climate change. Natural disasters put library facilities and collections at risk, while mass migration alters who uses libraries and why. Can we envision library futures that respond to the hopes, fears, and needs of our patrons?
This workshop offers the chance to imagine future libraries in response to the climate crisis. Using speculative design, presenters will provide an exploratory framework to engage in critical discussion that will lead to brainstorming activist and artistic responses library staff might take toward environmental issues.
While we can’t “solve climate change,” small actions taken together are powerful antidotes to the paralysis of fear and uncertainty. We will learn from one another and build alliances. Participants will gain an introduction to speculative design, seed ideas for micro-tasks, explore library futures, and can contribute to a zine.
Sponsored by The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of ARLIS/NAUniversity of Pennsylvania Libraries
