Watersheds: Critical Moments for Archives and the Environment

Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 10am – 3:30pm EDT
Join Rose Library’s Sustainability Committee on April 22, 2025 for a day-long celebration of Earth Day focusing on the theme of “watersheds.” This year, we mark a pivotal moment for archivists to reflect on our role in advancing climate justice and environmental sustainability through our archival practices.  

Eira Tansey, a distinguished archivist and researcher specializing in climate change impacts on archives and cultural heritage, will lead a series of watershed-themed sessions at Emory University's Woodruff Library. Sessions include a keynote, reading group, and documentation strategies workshop. Environmental sustainability organizations will share information about their work throughout the day at tables along the Schatten Gallery.  

This program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. 

Location 
Emory University -  Woodruff Library Jones Room  
540 Asbury Circle, Atlanta, Georgia 30322 
 
Schedule of activities 
10-11 | Opening Keynote 
11:45-12:45 | Reading group and lunch 
2-3:30 | Documentation Strategies workshop 
 
Session One | 10am-11am 
Keynote presentation. Tansey will deliver a keynote presentation focusing on climate change, exploring its intersection with archival practices. This session is open to the public and a light breakfast will be provided for attendees. 
 
Session Two |11:45am-12:45 pm
Participants will explore watershed issues through a facilitated reading group session. This session is open to the public and lunch will be provided for participants. 
 Readings will be made available beforehand. 
 
Session Three (for archivists) | 2pm-3:30pm 
The workshop aims to develop a cohesive documentation strategy that coordinates archival collection efforts across institutions, ensuring comprehensive coverage of environmental sustainability organizations, actions, and issues in Atlanta. This session is open to cultural heritage workers from Georgia libraries, museums, galleries, archives, and likeminded institutions. 
 
Mini-fair | 10am-3:30pm 
Several Atlanta-based and student environmental sustainability organizations will share information about their work. 
Related University Event Topic
Humanities, Sustainability