On this Third Thursday of Earth Month, come explore river systems around the world and the communities that have developed alongside them. Through materials in the International Studies Collection, learn about issues faced by both the people and the rivers themselves, and the efforts to keep them thriving.

Water touches many aspects of our lives. From the visible (nourishing our bodies, cleaning our clothes and dishes) to the less visible (creating electricity and cooling our homes and information systems), fresh water is an integral part of the living experience on Earth.

This dependence has long led communities to develop on the banks of rivers, but the relationship is not always a smooth one. As much as rivers have influenced culture and religion, they have also been sites of destruction as industrial appetites have increased.

Join us for Third Thursdays at the Library, a themed monthly open house where we share materials from our collections.

While you’re here, pick up a Third Thursday Passport and collect a stamp from each of the three Third Thursday Open Houses — the Clark Library, International Studies, and the Special Collections Research Center — to win a prize!