Just about any librarian who works with children knows that kids have real concerns about the future – both for themselves and for the planet. We often hear even very young children express fears about climate change. A few ways we try to help our community deal with ecoanxiety are by offering hands-on programming, modeling and talking about conservation efforts, and providing information, reassurance, and hope through especially engaging books. Programming We try to teach kids that they’re not powerless, and that they can effect transformation. We’ve found that programs that provide opportunities for participants to engage in hands-on solutions (planting trees, creating pollinator gardens, caring for pets, respecting wildlife, repurposing found art materials) foster agency and stewardship. Positive feedback tells us it’s appreciated when we offer these activities throughout the year, and not just for Earth Day. Modeling interventions As far as modeling interventions, we do offer recycling and…
Tag: environment
Spring into Recycling
“Don’t throw that away, I can use it” is absolutely a familiar sentiment. The recent ALSC post Trash to Treasure highlighted some great ideas about how to repurpose common items into creative crafts. Recycling materials keeps them out of landfills (hooray!), and models sustainable practices. What a valuable alternate to the ever present googly eyes, glitter, and disposable giveaways all too common in youth services. This all got me thinking about a great pop up display or activity, just in time for March 18.
Climate & Environment Picture Books
Discussing these books with children may encourage them to express their fears and hopes for a cleaner future for all living things.
How to Support Children’s Climate Knowledge
In our community work, we can foster children’s involvement in local and global climate actions from childhood onwards.
Library Environment: Third Teacher & Invisible Hand
Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior. ~James Clear, Atomic Habits
Interview with Author Sharon Mentyka
Author Sharon Mentyka discusses writing, the role of libraries, and her latest book Chasing at the Surface. I received a complimentary ARC of this book in preparation for this blog interview.
The Green Librarians
Children’s Librarians were green before green was cool. Raise your hand if you have a bag of felt scraps somewhere in your library. How about a box full of leftover craft supplies? Anyone have a basket of small boxes hiding under their desk? I just know I’ll find a craft for those someday. How about a stash of jar lids? I use them to hold glue, which is applied with the very un-fancy Q-tips I get at the dollar store (just opened a catalog and see “Craft Swabs” for sale, that’s what I’ll call them from now on). Cheaper, better, and less wasteful than glue sticks housed in plastic: I can even toss the cardboard and cotton sticks into the compost. Toilet paper tubes? There are whole books written on how to use those things. All these bits and pieces come in useful, eventually. Felt scraps? Yes, I need that…