Watersheds: Critical Moments for Archives and the Environment

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. 

Info: Eira 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.

Info: 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.

Info: 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.

Info: Several Atlanta-based and student environmental sustainability organizations will share information about their work.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Jones Room, 3rd Floor, Robert W. Woodruff Library, Emory University, Atlanta, United States