McMaster University Libraries are inviting the community to take part in a year of engaging programming centred around environmental action.
In collaboration with campus and community partners, Year of Environmental Action will help bring attention to the libraries’ ongoing priority of sustainability, and will present a series of events, collections, resources, exhibits and initiatives focused on environmental action at McMaster.
“One of the libraries’ strategic directions is focused on promoting sustainability as a guiding principle in all aspects of our operations,” said Vivian Lewis, associate vice-president and university librarian. “I’m excited about the year ahead to shine a light on events and initiatives related to environmental action.”
Year of Environmental Action begins in September 2025 and continues through April 2026.
Paige Roman, collection strategy librarian, is co-chair of the McMaster Libraries Sustainability Committee. The volunteer group of employees has a shared commitment to climate action and organizes climate action-based activities around the work and initiatives that the libraries are already doing.
“We’re really excited to be part of the libraries’ Year of Environmental Action,” said Roman. “We’ll be hosting events throughout the year that highlight the many ways our campus community can work together to support environmental sustainability. Stay tuned.”
Among the related activities and events planned include monthly book displays, an art exhibition, seed library, guest presentations, a book club, repair cafés, and more.
The series is led by McMaster University Libraries in partnership with the Campus Sustainability Committee, McMaster Centre for Climate Change, Nature @ McMaster, and the Innovation, Leadership, Engagement, Action and Discovery Office (formerly the Academic Sustainability Program).
McMaster University Libraries regularly presents “Year of” programming to collaborate with campus partners, as well as to highlight the libraries’ vital roles in supporting the research, teaching, and learning mission of the university. Year of Environmental Action follows past years of programming, including Celebrating 50 Years: The Bertrand Russell Archives in 2018, Celebrating STEM in 2019, and Transformative Stories: Year of Gender and Justice in 2023-24.
Learn more
To learn more, visit the Year of Environmental Action webpage.