Applications open for new ALA initiative to advance sustainability in libraries

The American Library Association (ALA), in collaboration with the Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI), is launching Resilient Communities: Advancing Sustainability in and through Libraries, a new initiative designed to equip public library workers with the knowledge and tools to lead on sustainability.

Through this program, 100 library workers will receive free tuition to complete Sustainable Librarianship: Core Competencies and Practices, a four-part asynchronous e-course, and join a community of practice with peers and advisors. By modeling sustainable practices within their facilities and communities, participating libraries will strengthen their role as leaders in building a more resilient future.

Applications are now open through November 14, 2025, with accepted participants notified by December 5, 2025: https://www.ala.org/tools/programming/climatechange/advancing.

The Sustainable Libraries Initiative empowers library leaders to advance environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically feasible practices to intentionally address climate change and co-create thriving communities.

100 selected library workers will experience the following over the course of six months:

• Cohort Creation: Selected library workers will be split into cohorts and will have access to Mentors from the Sustainable Libraries Initiative who will serve as advisors throughout their learning journey. Cohorts will be designed for information-sharing to be as tailored and relevant as possible.
• Learning: Each learner will be given free access to the “Sustainable Librarianship” course and be expected to watch each module and complete related course work. The course was created by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich (president of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative and founder/past president of the ALA Sustainability Committee), along with expert speakers, lecturers and writers. The modules will lead participants through the principles and practices of sustainable librarianship.
• Action Plan: As they complete the course, learners will develop an action plan of how to implement aspects of the training in their own library and community.
• Community of Practice: Following the course, ALA will host virtual, advisor-led “office hours.” Advisors will be available to answer cohort members’ questions about how to get started, building buy-in, and technical questions about the particulars of the work. They will also review each cohort member's action plans, and coach cohort members to success. Learners will also participate in a private online discussion forum in ALA Connect, which will provide space for conversations to continue outside of the scheduled meetings and a repository for resource-sharing.
• Sharing What They’ve Learned: Participants will be asked to submit a brief report to ALA about steps they’ve taken from their action plans by June 17, 2026. Stories will be amplified to the library field, including at ALA’s Annual Conference and on the Programming Librarian website.

“Libraries have an incredible opportunity to lead the way on sustainability,” said Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, president of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative. “This program is about giving library workers the tools and support they need to get started and feel confident making a real difference.”

The Resilient Communities: Advancing Sustainability in and through Libraries program has been made possible by a private funder.

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association (ALA) is the only non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated entirely to America's libraries and library professionals. For almost 150 years, ALA has provided resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. The ALA serves academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.

About the Sustainable Libraries Initiative

The Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI) is a member-driven organization that empowers library professionals to be leaders using triple-bottom-line sustainability (environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic feasibility) throughout their organizations and in their communities. The Sustainable Library Certification Program is now enrolling public and academic libraries, library systems, and school librarians nationwide.