Fondren Library embraces the American Library Association’s value of sustainability, affirming that “(l)ibraries play an important and unique role in promoting community awareness about resilience, climate change and a sustainable future. They are also leading by example by taking steps to reduce their environmental footprint.”
We are grateful to the American Library Association's Resilient Communities: Libraries Respond to Climate Change program for its support.
As the library’s Sustainability Plan (written in 2019) explains, Fondren aims to:
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Promote sustainable approaches to library spaces, including energy efficiency, reduced water usage, and an orientation toward wellness
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Reduce resource consumption
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Deepen library support for research and teaching in sustainability
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Collect and preserve environmentally-focused information and materials, especially those produced by Rice faculty and students
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Engage with the Rice community to foster a culture of sustainability
Fondren’s sustainability plan was developed by Fondren Fellows Ashley Fitzpatrick and Svetlana Borodina, who were mentored by Lisa Spiro.
Fondren Library is a Communities Respond to Extreme Weather (CREW) Climate Resilience Hub.
Past Events
- The Challenges of Communicating Climate Risk with Prof. Lacy M. Johnson - Sept. 29, 2022 at 3:00 PM CST
- Dr. Sylvia Dee, Dr. Lizzie Wallace, and Hollie Evans, Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico: Why They Are Stronger and How to Be Ready, Wednesday, September 29, 2021, 2.pm, Zoom
- Getting Ready for Extreme Weather: Community Preparedness for Climate Disasters, April 20, 2021, 11 am CST. [recording]
- Panel Discussion on Fire & Flood: Queer Resilience in the Era of Climate Change, April 1, 2021, 7 pm [recording]
- Rev. Vernon Walker (Program Manager of Communities Respond to Extreme Weather), "Finding Hope in Extreme Weather," Wednesday, December 2, 2020, 1 PM CST.
- All We Can Save Book Circle (sign up by October 16, 2020)
- Justice and Transformation: Houston Women on Climate Action (October 28, 2020) [recording on YouTube]
Presentations
- Lisa Spiro and Ashley Fitzpatrick, "Academic Libraries Join the Fight Against Climate Change," CNI’s Fall 2020 Membership Meeting, 2020
News
- Katharine Shillcutt, "Fondren’s Green Team hosting sustainability-focused events thanks to ALA grant", Rice News, October 19, 2020
Green Team
Fondren’s Green Team helps the library pursue practices that are environmentally sound, economically feasible, and socially equitable. Members of the team include:
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Hong-Ye Wang, Fondren eco-rep
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Joe Goetz, Reference
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Norie Guthrie, Woodson Research Center
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Shannon Kipphut-Smith, Digital Scholarship Services
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Julia Kress, Acquisitions
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Lisa Spiro (chair), Digital Scholarship Services
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Amanda Thomas, User Experience Office
Resources
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Estimate of Library Environmental Impact (online calculator)
Contact Us
Email sustainablefondren@rice.edu.