The Pioneer Valley Library Collaborative is proud to present a variety of programming in honor of Climate Preparedness Week 2025 – a national event held each year September 24 through September 30.
The Pioneer Valley Library Collaborative hosts programs throughout September (and beyond!) to help prepare our communities for extreme weather events and the effects of climate change. This year’s theme is Caring for the Earth, Yourself, and Your Community.
2025 Events
Follow the event links to see each event on their individual host library’s website. Please reach out to the host library with questions or concerns.
September 6:
Seed Saving Demonstration – 10am at Edwards Library (Southampton)
Learn how to gather seeds from 5 beginner-friendly vegetables: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, peas, and beans. We will also cover a few easy-to-gather herb seeds like chives, cilantro, and dill as well as sunflower and marigold seeds.
September 9:
Energy Advocate Office Hours – 6pm at Easthampton Library
Drop in at the Library on the second Tuesday of the month and meet with Hannah, our regional Energy Advocate, for one-on-one support to learn about and take full advantage of energy efficiency programs available to residents!
September 20:
Gardening Day & Plant Sale with Good Earth Gardeners – 10am at Edwards Library (Southampton)
Plant Sale at 10am followed by Planting Demo. The Good Earth Gardeners will show you how to put a garden to bed and they will host a plant sale in our lobby! Gardening gloves are recommended.
September 21:
Community Eco-Fair – 1:30pm at Milne Library (Williamstown)
All are welcome to the Community Eco-Fair, to raise awareness about our changing climate and to celebrate the many Berkshire groups working towards social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Because September is also National Preparedness Month, we will provide guidance on making “Go Bags,” to prepare you and your family for weather-related disasters, with the help of the Williamstown Police and Fire Departments and the Central-Western Massachusetts Red Cross. FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! Food, live music, lawn games, a bouncy house and a seed bomb craft table.
September 23:
September YA Cafe – 4pm at Edwards Library (Southampton)
YA Book Club: Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults. Join us for a relaxing afternoon of snacks, puzzles, and chatting about this important book. Find out about the Environmental Club at HRHS.
Energy Advocate Info Table – 6pm at Forbes Library (Northampton)
Join Hannah Davis, Northampton’s regional Energy Advocate, to learn how local residents can access energy-saving programs through the Community First Partnership and Mass Save. Stop by Hannah’s table in the lobby to learn about resources available to Northampton residents, including no-cost Home Energy Assessments, rebates, and support for renters, landlords, and income-eligible households.
September 24:
Climate Fiction and the Future of Climate Change in the Berkshires – 6pm at Milne Library (Williamstown)
Author David Guenette will discuss the future of climate change in the Berkshires, and also include a discussion about climate fiction generally. He will also read from his book series, The Steep Climes Quartet, which takes place in Berkshire County! An open discussion is encouraged after the presentation. This presentation is made possible through the generous support of the Northern Berkshire Cultural Council, and the Mass Cultural Council.
Energy Saving Options for Your Home w/ Energy Advocate Hannah Davis – 6pm at the Easthampton Library
Learn about your energy saving options with Hannah Davis, our local Energy Advocate! Options for both renters and homeowners will be covered!
September 25:
Echoes of Nature: Hampshire County – 6pm at Forbes Library (Northampton)
Forbes Library welcomes Echoes of Nature: Hampshire County, a unique interdisciplinary performance by singer-songwriter Jess Martin and poet Kim Hoff. Echoes of Nature combines live music, poetry, and projected visuals to explore themes of place, memory, and environmental care. Rooted in the landscapes of Western Massachusetts, the performance celebrates local ecologies while reflecting on identity, belonging, and community action in the face of climate change.
September 26:
Decoding the Weather Machine: A Community Screening & Discussion – 10am at Agawam Public Library
Adult Services Librarian Cher Collins marks Climate Preparedness Week with a screening and discussion of the 2018 Nova documentary “Decoding the Weather Machine,” originally aired on PBS. About the documentary: Join scientists on a quest to better understand the weather and climate machine we call Earth. Why do scientists overwhelmingly agree that our climate is changing, and how can we be resilient – even thrive – in the face of enormous change?
September 29:
Learn about Mass Saves Programs – 6pm at Westhampton Library
Join Hannah Davis, Westhampton’s regional Energy Advocate, to learn how local residents can access energy-saving programs through the Community First Partnership and Mass Save. This presentation will outline resources available to Westhampton residents, including no-cost Home Energy Assessments, rebates, and support for renters, landlords, and income-eligible households.
October 22:
Echoes of Nature – 6:30pm at Meekins Library (Williamsburg)
Meekins Library welcomes Echoes of Nature: Hampshire County, a unique interdisciplinary performance by singer-songwriter Jess Martin and poet Kim Hoff. Echoes of Nature combines live music, poetry, and projected visuals to explore themes of place, memory, and environmental care. Rooted in the landscapes of Western Massachusetts, the performance celebrates local ecologies while reflecting on identity, belonging, and community action in the face of climate change.
Booklists for Further Reading – Click here to explore our 2024 booklist for suggested reading.
Climate Preparedness Week is a project of CREW (Communities Responding to Extreme Weather). To find events in other communities please visit CREW’s Climate Preparedness Week Page.