ArtsRevive and the Selma and Dallas County Public Library teamed up Thursday to host Cahaba Riverkeeper executive director Myra Crawford at Lunch at the Library.

Crawford talked about the Cahaba River and the work that she and her team have done collecting and analyzing date about the condition of the river.

“Today I’m talking about how rivers connect and primarily about the Cahaba, but the Cahaba runs into the Alabama, which is the river closest to Selma. Anything that happens in the Cahaba will happen in the Alabama,” Crawford said.

“I would like for the people of Selma to understand the dynamics of both rivers, and the fact that sometimes the river looks like it’s OK and clean, and sometimes it’s not.”

The talk was in conjunction with the Smithsonian exhibit, Water/Ways that is currently open at the Carneal ArtsRevive building.

Martha Lockett, a volunteer with ArtsRevive, said it’s a great opportunity for the library and ArtsRevive to work together and provide the public with the opportunity to learn more about the river and its impacts on the community.

“One of ArtsRevive’s main goals has been to work with different groups in the community. Sometimes they take the lead, and sometimes they do the behind the scenes support and this whole project has been a really great way to do that,” Lockett said.

“This is the first time that we’ve been able to partner with the library for something that fits their agenda and what was going on at ArtsRevive. It’s something that we would like to continue and keep going.”

Lockett, who spearheaded getting the Smithsonian exhibit to Selma, said having it in Selma was a good chance for them to partner with different organizations and talk about water.

“It connects beautifully with the Water/Ways exhibition that’s in Carneal [ArtsRevive],” Lockett said of the lunch. “We’re just really excited to have them here.”

Crawford said she was excited to speak at the lunch and share her expertise with the community.

“Talking to people is very important because it’s the only way that we spread the word,” Crawford said.

“This is one of the most unique and beautiful libraries I’ve ever been in, especially in a small town. To have the people in the community to come out to listen to this is very special.”

Crawford said the group publishes information from their studies on their Facebook page, Cahaba Riverkeeper.

“We make the information very public … so people can know what’s going on in their river and if they’re going to go in it, they have some scientific information to make wise choices about what they’re going to do with their families,” she said.