McMaster University Libraries presents Year of Environmental Action

McMaster University Libraries, in collaboration with campus and community partners, are presenting a series of events, collections, resources, exhibits and initiatives focused on environmental action. From our seed library to online Archives Alive presentations, there is a vast array of free programming and initiatives to participate in.

Sustainability is an ongoing priority for the university libraries, but our programming for the Year of Environmental Action runs from fall 2025 through spring 2026. The series comes from the university libraries in partnership with the Campus Sustainability Committee, McMaster Centre for Climate Change, Nature @ McMaster, and the Innovation, Leadership, Engagement, Action and Discovery Office (formerly the Academic Sustainability Program).

McMaster University Libraries regularly presents “Year of” programming to collaborate with campus partners, as well as to highlight the libraries’ vital roles in supporting the research, teaching, and learning mission of the university. Year of Environmental Action follows past years of programming, including Celebrating 50 Years: The Bertrand Russell Archives in 2018, Celebrating STEM in 2019, and Transformative Stories: Year of Gender and Justice in 2023-2024.

Please check this website regularly for events updates. Stay connected by following our social media accounts!

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News

News

Environmental Action
February 2, 2026

Students learn together at Thode Makerspace Repair Café

The Repair Café marks five years of bringing people together to repair broken items, reduce waste, and learn hands-on skills. 

Environmental Action
November 25, 2025

McMaster libraries work to foster sustainable practices

There are various eco-friendly initiatives at McMaster University Libraries.

Environmental Action
November 18, 2025

Clean out your closet and help a student make a great first impression

The Well-Suited Community Closet, a student-led initiative, is accepting donations of business wear that students can borrow for important academic and career moments.

Environmental Action
October 20, 2025

Libraries Sustainability Committee: Nurturing a livable future

The committee is a volunteer group of employees who have a shared commitment to climate action at the libraries.

Environmental Action
September 15, 2025

Libraries launch year of events and displays focused on environmental action

The Year of Environmental Action features book displays, repair cafés, an art exhibition, and more from September 2025 through April 2026.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Repair Cafe

Calendar
Feb 25, 2026
3:30 pm TO 5:30 pm

🔨 Got something broken? Bring it to Repair Café!

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Theory of Water Book Club

Calendar
Feb 26, 2026
12:30 pm TO 1:30 pm

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Repair Cafe

Calendar
Mar 25, 2026
3:30 pm TO 5:30 pm

🔨 Got something broken? Bring it to Repair Café!

Read More

Theory of Water Book Club

Calendar
Mar 26, 2026
12:30 pm TO 1:30 pm

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Past Events

Past Events

Year of Environmental Action: September Book Display

Calendar
Sep 15, 2025
1:00 am TO Sep 30, 2025 11:55 pm

Learn about the environment and how you can help our planet by checking out our curated displays of books. You can find our displays in both Mills (2nd floor, outside Learning Commons) and Thode (1st floor, glass display case).

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Plant Giveaway!

Calendar
Sep 16, 2025
10:00 am TO 11:00 am

The Libraries are giving away some free plants to kick off the Year of Environmental Action! Stop by the front desk at either Mills or the Health Sciences Library to pick up a new addition to your dorm, apartment, or office.

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Repair Cafe

Calendar
Sep 24, 2025
3:30 pm TO 5:30 pm

🔨 Got something broken? Bring it to Repair Café!

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Seed Harvesting Workshop with Karen Pavao

Calendar
Oct 2, 2025
1:30 pm TO 2:30 pm

Join us Thursday, October 2nd at 1:30 p.m. in the Wong e-Classroom (Mills L107) to learn how to collect, clean, and store seeds from your garden so you can plant them next year or share them with friends.

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Year of Environmental Action: October Book Display

Calendar
Oct 6, 2025
1:00 am TO Oct 31, 2025 11:55 pm

Learn about the environment and how you can help our planet by checking out our curated displays of books. You can find our displays in both Mills (2nd floor, outside Learning Commons) and Thode (1st floor, glass display case).

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Seed Teachings with Cari Henhawk and the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge

Calendar
Oct 23, 2025
1:30 pm TO 3:00 pm

Join us on October 23rd from 1:30 to 3 p.m. for a seed teaching session with Auntie Cari Henhawk from the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge (IHLL).

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Repair Cafe

Calendar
Oct 29, 2025
3:30 pm TO 5:30 pm

🔨 Got something broken? Bring it to Repair Café!

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Year of Environmental Action Book Club: Theory of Water by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

Calendar
Oct 30, 2025
12:30 pm TO 1:30 pm

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Year of Environmental Action: November Book Display

Calendar
Nov 1, 2025
1:00 am TO Nov 30, 2025 11:55 pm

Learn about the environment and how you can help our planet by checking out our curated displays of books. You can find our displays in both Mills (2nd floor, outside Learning Commons) and Thode (1st floor, glass display case).

Read More

Crafting Drop In: Paper Making

Calendar
Nov 12, 2025
2:00 pm TO 5:30 pm

Come get creative with us and make your very own handmade paper! ♻️ We’ll be using recycled paper, turning it back into pulp with water and a blender, then using screens to sift and shape it into an entirely new sheet.

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Crafting Drop-In: Hand Stitching

Calendar
Nov 24, 2025
3:30 pm TO 5:30 pm

Slow down, get cozy, and join us for a relaxing hand stitching session at the Makerspace!

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Repair Cafe

Calendar
Nov 26, 2025
3:30 pm TO 5:30 pm

🔨 Got something broken? Bring it to Repair Café!

Read More

Theory of Water Book Club

Calendar
Nov 27, 2025
12:30 pm TO 1:30 pm

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Year of Environmental Action: December Book Display

Calendar
Dec 1, 2025
1:00 am TO Dec 31, 2025 11:55 pm

Learn about the environment and how you can help our planet by checking out our curated displays of books. You can find our displays in both Mills (2nd floor, outside Learning Commons) and Thode (1st floor, glass display case).

Read More

Sustainable Gift Wrapping with Maps

Calendar
Dec 3, 2025
2:00 pm TO 5:00 pm

We have some maps that are being removed from the collection that would make some excellent wrapping paper for your holiday gifts! Join us in Thode's Makerspace for a warm beverage, holiday cheer, and some end of term merriment to destress be

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Year of Environmental Action: January Book Display

Calendar
Jan 1, 2026
1:00 am TO Jan 31, 2026 11:55 pm

Learn about the environment and how you can help our planet by checking out our curated displays of books. You can find our displays in both Mills (2nd floor, outside Learning Commons) and Thode (1st floor, glass display case).

Read More

Seed Packing

Calendar
Jan 27, 2026
12:00 pm TO 2:00 pm

Join the McMaster Libraries Sustainability Committee in preparation for the 2026 Seed Library! Drop in to this session to help us pack and prepare seed packages for distribution.

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Repair Cafe

Calendar
Jan 28, 2026
3:30 pm TO 5:30 pm

🔨 Got something broken? Bring it to Repair Café!

Read More

Theory of Water Book Club

Calendar
Jan 29, 2026
12:30 pm TO 1:30 pm

Read More

Seed Packing

Calendar
Jan 29, 2026
3:30 pm TO 5:30 pm

Join the McMaster Libraries Sustainability Committee in preparation for the 2026 Seed Library! Drop in to this session to help us pack and prepare seed packages for distribution.

Read More