Workshop presented by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MLS, LEED AP, of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative.

According to research presented in the 2023 Surgeon General’s report, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, “social connection is an important social determinant of health, and more broadly, of community well-being, including (but not limited to) population health, community resilience when natural hazards strike, community safety, economic prosperity, and representative government.” Furthermore, “loneliness and social isolation increase the risk for premature death by 26% and 29% respectively... and it is associated with increased risk for anxiety, depression, and dementia.”

To begin the work of combating loneliness, libraries will learn how to create more connections through programs and services, that positively impact the well-being of residents, while addressing issues of social cohesion and justice, financial equity and environmental stewardship. Using the Sustainable Libraries Certification Program and the National Climate Action Strategy Guide as examples, participants will gain an understanding about community disaster preparedness, climate action work, community resiliency and social cohesion efforts.

Participants will leave this session armed with knowledge on how to support their communities by advancing social connections utilizing the SLCP action items and the six pillars from the Surgeon General’s report:

1. Strengthen Social Infrastructure in Local Communities
2. Enact Pro-Connection Public Policies
3. Mobilize the Health Sector
4. Reform Digital Environments
5. Deepen our Knowledge
6. Cultivate a Culture of Connection

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will recognize how social connections, and the lack of connections, impacts communities.
2. Participants will be able to identify the six pillars of social connection.
3. Participants will be able to describe how the SLCP address areas of social cohesion, community resiliency, disaster preparedness, and financial sustainability.
4. At the end of the pre-conference, participants will have a draft document of one of the following: a disaster preparedness plan; a social connection program geared towards a higher risk age group for social isolation; or a volunteer program proposal connecting library workers with a community-based organization.
5. Participants will be able to delineate the concepts of climate mitigation, climate adaptation and climate justice

Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MLS, LEED AP, is the co-founder of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative and a co-creator of the award-winning Sustainable Library Certification Program. Currently the executive director of the Mid-Hudson Library System (NY), Rebekkah has been invited to speak on the topic of sustainability around the world and has written extensively on the topic of sustainability, including the titles Sustainable Thinking: Ensuring Your Libraries Future in an Uncertain World and Resilience, part of the ALA Futures Series. Rebekkah was named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker, and in 2018 received the Outstanding Service to Libraries Award from the New York Library Association.

2025 Maine Library Association Annual Meeting and Conference

May 19-20th at Sunday River Grand Summit Hotel

This year's theme will focus on the roles of various aspects of sustainability in libraries and how libraries support resilient communities. 

Monday Keynote Speaker: Rebekkah Smith Aldrich

Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MLS, LEED AP, is the co-founder of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative and a co-creator of the award-winning Sustainable Library Certification Program. Currently the executive director of the Mid-Hudson Library System (NY), Rebekkah has been invited to speak on the topic of sustainability around the world and has written extensively on the topic of sustainability, including the titles Sustainable Thinking: Ensuring Your Libraries Future in an Uncertain World and Resilience, part of the ALA Futures Series. Rebekkah was named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker, and in 2018 received the Outstanding Service to Libraries Award from the New York Library Association.

Tuesday Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson in conversation with Leigh Peake

The Tuesday afternoon keynote will feature a sustainability focused conversation between Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Leigh Peake, Chief of Education Officer at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. 

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist, policy expert, writer, and teacher working to help create the best possible climate future. She co-­founded and leads Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for the future of coastal cities, and is the Roux Distinguished Scholar at Bowdoin College. Ayana authored The New York Times bestseller What If We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures, co-edited the bestselling anthology All We Can Save, co-created and co-­hosted the Spotify/Gimlet podcast How to Save a Planet, and co-­authored the Blue New Deal, a roadmap for including the ocean in climate policy. She earned a BA in environmental science and public policy from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She serves on the board of directors for Patagonia and GreenWave, and on the advisory board of Environmental Voter Project. Above all: Ayana is in love with climate solutions.

Leigh Peake is Chief Education Officer at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI). Peake joined GMRI after a career in educational publishing, including as Editorial Director at Heinemann Publishing and as President of Corwin. She is passionate about breaking down the walls between in- and out-of-school learning and about the opportunities climate change education provides for youth to develop the essential skills of science and mathematics. On the national scale, she brings a practitioner perspective into dialogues around advancing STEM education and places high value on creating genuine partnerships between researchers and practitioners. She is an alumna of Smith College and holds a Master’s degree from Brandeis University.

Conference sessions

The conference subcommittee has accepted the following conference sessions. A draft schedule is available as a PDF download. Zoom in to view!

Pre-Conference

Our Monday keynote speaker, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MLS, LEED AP, of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, will present a half day workshop on Sunday 5/18: From Anxiety to Action: How the Sustainable Libraries Certification Program Builds Stronger Communities. To learn more and register:  https://mainelibraries.org/event-6095117

Lodging

To book a room at the Grand Summit Hotel, use this link for the group rate. The discounted rate is good from Saturday night through Tuesday night, in case you want to extend your stay a bit to enjoy the scenery, trails, and the heated pool!

Discounts

Confirmed presenters will be sent a code to access the presenter rates for registration. If you are a confirmed presenter and have not received a code, contact Pamela Bobker at conferenceprogramming@mainelibraries.org.

Due to the rising costs associated with the conference, the conference committee eliminated the early bird pricing rate rather than raise conference rates for all registration categories. The previous student/retired/unemployed rate was financially unsustainable for the organization and it has been increased to reflect our costs. Conference grants are available for those with demonstrated financial need. Please see: https://mainelibraries.org/grants/ for more information and to apply.

Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel your registration, you can cancel for a full refund through April 25th. No refunds will be given after that time. If you need to cancel, please email Michelle Scheier, our Association Administrator at mscheier@mainelibraries.org.

Please direct all registration questions by email to Meg Gray: 
atlarge2@mainelibraries.org.

Please join us as an exhibitor or sponsor for our annual conference, May 19-20, 2025 at Sunday River Ski Resort in Newry, Maine!

This year's theme will focus on the roles of various aspects of sustainability in libraries and how libraries support resilient communities. Each day will feature two dedicated exhibitor sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon where coffee and snacks will be served. 

Monday Keynote Speaker: Rebekkah Smith Aldrich

Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MLS, LEED AP, is the co-founder of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative and a co-creator of the award-winning Sustainable Library Certification Program. Currently the executive director of the Mid-Hudson Library System (NY), Rebekkah has been invited to speak on the topic of sustainability around the world and has written extensively on the topic of sustainability, including the titles Sustainable Thinking: Ensuring Your Libraries Future in an Uncertain World and Resilience, part of the ALA Futures Series. Rebekkah was named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker, and in 2018 received the Outstanding Service to Libraries Award from the New York Library Association.

The Tuesday afternoon keynote will feature a sustainability focused conversation between Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Leigh Peake, Chief of Education Officer at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. 

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist, policy expert, writer, and teacher working to help create the best possible climate future. She co-­founded and leads Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for the future of coastal cities, and is the Roux Distinguished Scholar at Bowdoin College. Ayana authored The New York Times bestseller What If We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures, co-edited the bestselling anthology All We Can Save, co-created and co-­hosted the Spotify/Gimlet podcast How to Save a Planet, and co-­authored the Blue New Deal, a roadmap for including the ocean in climate policy. She earned a BA in environmental science and public policy from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She serves on the board of directors for Patagonia and GreenWave, and on the advisory board of Environmental Voter Project. Above all: Ayana is in love with climate solutions.

Leigh Peake is Chief Education Officer at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI). Peake joined GMRI after a career in educational publishing, including as Editorial Director at Heinemann Publishing and as President of Corwin. She is passionate about breaking down the walls between in- and out-of-school learning and about the opportunities climate change education provides for youth to develop the essential skills of science and mathematics. On the national scale, she brings a practitioner perspective into dialogues around advancing STEM education and places high value on creating genuine partnerships between researchers and practitioners. She is an alumna of Smith College and holds a Master’s degree from Brandeis University.

Conference sessions

The conference subcommittee has accepted the following conference sessions. A draft schedule is available as a PDF download. Zoom in to view!

Lodging

Sunday River is offering a group rate on hotel rooms for any night, Sunday thru Tuesday. Here is a link to access the group rate, which will also be included in your confirmation email. 

Please direct all questions by email to Meg Gray: atlarge2@mainelibraries.org.