Written by Ann McGinley, Branch Manager, Rio Rancho Public Libraries
The City of Rio Rancho’s Library and Information Services Department has received a $500 stipend from Resilient Communities: Libraries Respond to Climate Change, an ALA initiative that will help libraries engage their communities in programs and conversations on the climate crisis.
Resilient Communities programming will begin at Esther Bone Memorial Library in the spring of 2021. The Library will use the $500 stipend to support programming for all ages related to climate change. The focus will be on thoughtful and conscientious water use and family resilience through connectedness and preparation.
City and community partners will include Rio Rancho’s Water Conservation Office, Community Emergency Response Team, and Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful, as well as American Red Cross Arizona and New Mexico and National Weather Service.
Resilient Communities strives to raise awareness and provide accurate information about the climate change crisis to the public through libraries. The pilot project has been funded by a generous grant from Andrew and Carol Phelps, the parents of a public librarian and a library master’s student.
For more information about Rio Rancho Public Libraries, visit www.rrnm.gov/library. Please follow the Rio Rancho Public Libraries on Facebook and Twitter. The Libraries also send out weekly newsletters; please sign up at https://tinyurl.com/y5pybu8x.