Library of Local

The Roeliff Jansen Community Library was one of ten Mid-Hudson Library System libraries selected to become a “Library of Local” in 2022, joining four anchor libraries who began the program in 2021. What is a Library of Local? The Library of Local is an initiative from Partners for Climate Action Hudson Valley and the Mid-Hudson Library System that offers libraries a collection of books, seeds, and other resources that equip local communities to take action on the climate crisis and advance ecological repair. It also provides a robust roster of educational events and workshops all offered free of charge at local libraries across the Hudson Valley.

As a Library of Local, the Roe Jan Library houses a beautiful, hand built kiosk made by Hudson Valley-based artist, Johnny Poux, with a curated collection of materials that focus on regenerative land use, green building, renewable energy, and climate change as well as a seed library. Patrons can “check out” seeds—sunflower, tomato, peas, zucchini, beans, basil, radish, cucumber, Swiss chard, and flowers—to plant and grow. We hope gardeners will let some of those plants go to seed and will harvest and return the seeds so that others may “borrow” seeds next year. To view the collection in the library catalog, click here.