WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2014

ULC UPCOMING EVENTS

What Happens in Vegas?

ULC MEMBER RECEPTION
Friday, June 27

6:30-8:00 pm
LVH-Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

@UrbanLibCouncil

RSVP now to join the ULC community for our Summer Member Reception. We will provide refreshments and other delights as we announce and celebrate the 2014 recipients of the Innovations Initiative, Urban Player and Joey Rodger Leadership Awards.

Login now to RSVP.

Learning Labs in Las Vegas

CONNECTING YOUTH: KEY FINDINGS FROM LEARNING LABS
Friday, June 27

8:30-9:30 am
Las Vegas Convention Center, Room S224

@Learning_Labs_

Presenters: Amy Eshleman, Urban Libraries Council
Kiley Larson, Institute of Human Development & Social Change, New York University

In 2012, IMLS, MacArthur Foundation, ULC and the Association of Science-Technology Centers launched a planning a

nd design process to create 24 teen-centered Learning Labs across the U.S. Join members of the Learning Labs community for a conversation about this path breaking initiative; hear about early research findings and engage in discussion about critical issues such as collaborating with community partners, teen engagement, space design, staffing models, understanding youth outcomes and funding strategies. No RSVPs required.

Edge in Las Vegas

CONNECTING TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNITY
Saturday, June 28

10:30-11:30 am
Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

Versailles 3 & 4

@LibraryEdge

Attendees will be introduced to and discuss a framework to think about and authentically evaluate their current services and identify opportunities for improvement based on community need. This session will be built on the framework of Edge that assesses techno

logy based on community value, engaging the community and organizational management. From this shared understanding, participants will join group discussions based on a case study and share solutions and best practices in using technology to advance learning. No RSVPs required.

NEWS AND RESOURCES

Update on E-Rate

As the process to modernize the U.S. E-Rate program continues, ULC has submitted a letter to the FCC underscoring two critical points. The first, "Public Libraries = Education" affirms the essential role of the library as a 21st century educational institution and points out that libraries have been the fundamental "go-to" resource in recent years for job seekers of all ages and occupations. The second point, "Connectivity for All Public Libraries - No Matter the Location," emphasizes that all public libraries require immediate and comprehensive support in acquiring broadband connectivity. There should be no distinction between urban, suburban and rural libraries; in fact, an accompanying chart demonstrates that a representative sample of ULC member libraries cover service areas that include all three types of populations. Read the ULC letter to the FCC and see the chart.

Summer Learning Starts Now

As the summer learning season gets underway, ULC is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA). In an announcement sent to ULC Directors, Susan Benton celebrates this new partnership as one that, "...brings two powerful communities together across the library and education fields to build a national movement of libraries that are demonstrating the power of libraries as summer learning organizations."

ULC invites our members to participate in National Summer Learning Day 2014 on Friday, June 20! This opportunity offers a great way to begin expanding the presence of public libraries in the summer learning movement. We encourage all ULC member libraries to catalog your key summer learning activities in NSLA's interactive Summer Learning Day Event Map.

Aspen Institute Releasing New Publication on Learning

For the last year, The Aspen Institute has convened a distinguished group of 20 education advocates, activists, technologists, public policy experts, business leaders and online safety experts to create a new vision that will ensure all kids have access to safe and vibrant learning opportunities. The Taskforce on Learning and the Internet is about to release its findings in a report titled "Learner at the Center of a Networked World." Sign up now to receive this groundbreaking analysis of learning in the 21st century.

Cities and Innovation Districts

The Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institute has released a new report, "The Rise of Innovation Districts: A New Geography of Innovation", which makes a compelling case for forward-thinking cities that are leveraging their physical, intellectual and economic assets for renewal and growth. Download the report, and think about the role of libraries in this new wave of urban development.

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS!

My Librarian

Multnomah County Library continues to innovate new ways of serving its patrons. Director Vailey Oehlke recently announced a new initiative called My Librarian which is a web-based portal to 13 personal librarians who meet people where and how they work and live. Readers can "browse them"... see their faces, learn about their geeky areas of interest, see what they're reading and engage whoever strikes their fancy.

"Lisa P. is into bloody thrillers; Laural W. is the DIY aficionado; Matthew S. is the go-to guy for your heavy metal hankering." People can connect with their personal librarian via email, over the phone, via chat, video chat (FaceTime/Skype), or in person. There's a short feature in LJ's current Library Inspiration which also shouts-out Cleveland Public Library's, transformation of space to better serve youth and Brooklyn Public Library's, creative spaces. Read the article.

Serving the Homeless

Dallas Public Library has an ongoing Homeless Engagement Initiative aimed at increasing community awareness of issues related to homelessness, providing opportunities for open dialogue between housed and homeless communities, and promoting the public library as a place of social inclusion.

To build awareness of this work, the library has created Street View, a podcast recorded at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library and hosted by Rashad Dickerson who is himself homeless. Local media is paying attention; read these stories in D Magazine and the Dallas Morning News.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Distinguished Service!

Linda Cook, Chief Executive Officer of Edmonton Public Library has received the Canadian Library Association's Outstanding Service to Librarianship Award. "Linda Cook is an extraordinary, recognized Canadian leader whose achievements, dedication, and service to the library community has propelled librarianship and library services forward, enhancing the lives of many individuals."

Happy Trails!

John J. Callahan III, long-time Director of the Palm Beach County Library System has announced his upcoming retirement effective September 19th.

The ULC community wishes John all the best and many great adventures in the years to come!

CONTACT US

Urban Libraries Council

125 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 1050 Chicago, IL 60606

312.676.0999 | urbanlibraries.org