Welcome to ULC 

ULC is excited to announce two new library members! 

• Austin Public Library (Texas), Roosevelt Weeks, Director
• Fairfax County Public Library (Va.), Jessica Hudson, Director

Last week ALA President Jim Neal announced a call for applicants to join the inaugural cohort of the newly formed ALA Policy Corps which was  launched as part of Neal's presidential initiatives in collaboration with the American Association of School Librarians, Association of College & Research Libraries, Office for Information Technology Policy, Public Library Association and United for Libraries. 

The  Policy Corps goal is to expand its ability to advocate on key policy issues on behalf of the library community. Participants in the Corps will focus on issues for which deep and sustained knowledge are necessary to advance ALA policy goals and library values among policymakers. Training and opportunities to participate in targeted policy advocacy work will be provided to participants. The purpose  is to create ongoing capacity for the library community to develop and sustain strategic advocacy efforts, build relationships, and positively impact public policy decisions that align with ALA's national policy agenda.

To learn more about Policy Corps and apply, visit the ALA website. 

Fine Free Kids

The New York Public Library, Queens Library and Brooklyn Public Library will forgive all fines for children 17 and under and unblock their cards. The one-time amnesty is being underwritten by the JPB Foundation, a philanthropy that supports civic causes, which will make up $2.25 million of the shortfall in revenue from the forgiven fines, reports  The New York Times. 

The amnesty "is a dramatic way to message to kids and young adults that we want you back, and we want you reading," said Anthony W. Marx, president of the New York Public Library. The forgiveness is not conditional on returning any overdue books or DVDs. "We want you to be responsible, but we don't want to penalize you just because you are too poor to pay the fines."

California State Library's Mental 

Health Initiative

The California State Library's Mental Health Initiative is offering training opportunities to all public library staff. One of the major training components is part of a video series, produced by CSL in partnership with Los Angeles Public Library and County of Los Angeles Public Library.

Below are six of the videos, with the final two episodes to be released in the next few weeks. You are encouraged to use these videos as part of your staff development - please share!