The Research Project
Every day we learn about or directly experience distressing events linked to the climate crisis. Yet, communities across British Columbia struggle to reach agreement on how to take effective action.
Seeking and sharing information through news, social media and conversations with friends and family inform our sense making and personal meaning making efforts. Ideally, this kind of shared learning is reflective and transformative, leading to personal and collective understandings, informed decision-making, and much needed action.
However, sense making in the context of a complex, long-term crisis can lead to heightened confusion, anxiety and polarization. As we witnessed with the Covid-19 “infodemic”. The capacity to engage with difficult information and threatening realities in our local communities directly influences people’s ability to take well-informed action.
If we aspire to foster resilient and compassionate communities well positioned to respond to our worsening climate crisis, we need to better understand and collaboratively shape information infrastructures and practices that support sense making, meaning making and collective action.
As organizations that provide critical infrastructure for life-long learning and community connections, libraries offer a valuable, but under-recognized, context for this work. Increasingly, libraries are seeking ways to support climate justice and resilience; however, there is little to no prior research to guide such efforts.
Our research team is collaborating with libraries and information professionals in different regions across British Columbia to investigate personal and public sense making and meaning making in response to the climate crisis. Together, we will co-design, implement and evaluate library-based climate engagement initiatives grounded in climate sense making and action.
Partner organizations
Fraser Valley Regional Library
Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL), established in 1930, is the largest public library system in British Columbia, serving over 800,000 residents across 25 libraries in 15 municipalities and districts.
Driven by its mission of “opening minds and enabling dreams,” FVRL plays a vital role in enriching communities throughout the Fraser Valley. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and dynamic services, FVRL owes its success to its passionate staff. Together, we foster vibrant, inclusive communities by providing access to knowledge, entertainment, and enriching experiences.
Nelson Public Library
The Nelson Public library is located in downtown Nelson and serves residents of Nelson and its surrounding regional districts. The library’s vision is a connected community inspired by innovation. Its mission is to spark curiosity, support inclusion and making learning possible for everyone. We are guided by five strategic values:
- Universal and equitable access
- Sustainability
- Excellent service
- Diversity, equity and inclusion
- Meaningful relationships
At the library, sustainability means striving for environmental, social, cultural and economic sustainability through our operations and practices.
Salt Spring Island Public Library
Salt Spring Island Public Library considers itself a “Doorway to Possibilities,” valuing innovation, equity, diversity, inclusion, discovery, and sustainability. We are a reflection of our community, always responding to and anticipating change. Our vision is for an engaged, inspired and connected Salt Spring. To build towards that vision, we consciously build opportunities for everyone to learn, connect and explore.
Through a plethora of wide-ranging programs and exhibits — and a library of books, kits, instruments, tools and more, plus our well-received Indigenous Learning area, our always buzzing maker space, and as our community’s official cool zone in the summer — this Library is both a leader and a valued hub in our community. We lead by a strategic plan that guides our Library’s values and we measure ourselves against them, year after year.