This Week at ULC
Newsletter | June 3, 2020
STATEMENT ON THE ROLE OF LIBRARIES
IN DISMANTLING SYSTEMIC RACISM
Earlier this week, ULC President & CEO Susan Benton issued a  statement on the role of libraries in dismantling systemic racism. The Urban Libraries Council stands with the #BlackLivesMatter movement and all who are calling for immediate, collective action to end the systemic racism and inequity entrenched in our communities.

ULC President & CEO Susan Benton is quoted in the statement:

“More than 160 North American public library systems have shown their strong commitment to ending structural racism by signing ULC’s  Statement on Race and Social Equity , which asserts that 'libraries can help achieve true and sustained equity through an intentional, systemic and transformative library-community partnership.' Libraries use this statement as a baseline for building progressive policies, activities and collaborative relationships to advance equity."

See how ULC member libraries are making their voices heard by viewing the new Race/Social Equity Statements section of our Member Knowledge Center.
GOING FORWARD FROM THE PANDEMIC
This week, our new "Faces on the Front Line" feature on our coronavirus resource page highlights the great work of staff members from The Indianapolis Public Library, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library, East Baton Rouge Parish Library, Los Angeles Public Library, San Diego Public Library, Oakland Public Library and Alameda County Library. 

ULC's Going Forward from the Pandemic initiative continues to develop. Read  this ULC Executive Board Statement to learn more, and stay tuned to ULC communications for a full membership update on next steps soon.

We encourage you to continue collaborating with your ULC colleagues by sharing useful tools, sample statements and policies for our coronavirus resource page and the Member Knowledge Center. Stay engaged by joining an upcoming ULC Member Group call to share best practices and learn new ideas you can take back to your library. Continue to help us share your library's stories by sending all library media releases to media@urbanlibraries.org.
MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
Partnering with Local Schools to Give Students Access
Multnomah County Library

Through a new program called Library Connect , 9,600 local students can now use their school student identification card to access Multnomah County Library services. “The library is proud to serve David Douglas students with this new service when support for educational needs has never been more important,” said Director of Libraries Vailey Oehlke.
Providing Free Books and Digital Access to Those in Need
Salt Lake City Public Library

Salt Lake City Public Library has partnered with Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a local nonprofit charity that delivers supplies for free to high-risk individuals. Through this partnership, the library now provides free books donated by The Friends of the Salt Lake City Public Library to help those who may not have internet access or e-readers. 
Launching Virtual Reading Rooms
Pierce County Library System

Patrons at Pierce County Library System can now access digital e-books and e-audiobooks in virtual reading rooms designed specifically for people to browse material selected by librarians. “We are here for our community, now more than ever while so many people are staying home,” said Georgia Lomax, Pierce County Library executive director. 
ANSWERING THE CALL TO HELP BUSINESS OWNERS FIND RELIEF FUNDING
Poudre County Public Library District

In our latest ULC blog post, discover how Poudre County Public Library District staff have stepped up to help small business owners access relief funding during the coronavirus pandemic. Dive deeper into this issue during a  free ULC webinar with staff from Poudre County Public Library District and Spokane Public Library on Monday, June 8.
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
ULC Deputy Directors - COVID-19 Responses
Member Group Conference Call
June 3 | 4-5 p.m. ET
ULC Directors - COVID-19 Responses
Member Group Conference Call
June 4 | 4-5 p.m. ET
ULC Collections Leaders - COVID-19 Responses
Member Group Conference Call
June 4 | 4-4:30p.m. ET
Libraries Offering Pandemic Relief to the Business Community
Member Webinar
June 8 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC Education Leaders - COVID-19 Responses
Member Group Conference Call
June 9 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC Development Professionals - COVID-19 Responses
Member Group Conference Call
June 10 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC Communications and Marketing Leaders - COVID-19 Responses
Member Group Conference Call
June 17 | Noon-1 p.m. ET
ULC Annual Member Meeting
All Member Conference Call
June 18 | 3-4 p.m. ET
ULC KNOWLEDGE CENTER
CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES
Wichita Public Library
Alexandria Public Library
Chesterfield County Public Library
REALM PROJECT UPDATE
In an update provided today , the REALM Project has released a new test plan d ocument that explains the process for testing materials provided by libraries, archives and museums. This plan outlines how the Battelle laboratory will test for the longevity of the COVID-19 virus on materials. The results from the first round of testing are expected in mid-June.
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
Urban Libraries Council on Twitter

✨ 1️⃣6️⃣3️⃣ ✨ #PublicLibraries have signed our Statement on Race & Social Equity, including Norwalk Public Library! Find out how libraries are actively working to foster a more just and inclusive world. 🔗 https://buff.ly/2RCIlly

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