This Week at ULC
Newsletter | December 23
Happy Holidays 2020
As 2020 comes to a close, we want to wish all of you a happy and healthy holiday season! Thank you for keeping our communities strong and making a difference in the lives of your patrons during such challenging times.

We congratulate you on the exceptional and innovative work that you have done over the last year and we look forward to reaching new heights together in 2021. 

Please note: We will not publish This Week at ULC next week. Additionally, the ULC office will be closed December 24-25 and January 1.
FACES ON THE FRONT LINE
Faces on the Front Line 12-22-20
This week, our "Faces on the Front Line" photo series highlights the great work of staff members from St. Louis County Library, Calgary Public Library, Dayton Metro Library, Chattanooga Public Library, Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach and Chicago Library Foundation.

Thank you to everyone who submitted images and stories throughout the year from your team's work on the front line of COVID-19. While the photo series has come to an end, we know this important work will continue into 2021 and we look forwarding to highlighting these amazing stories in the new year.
REALM UPDATE
The REALM Project has published new toolkit resources, including downloadable visual aids showing test results by material type and usage and video resources with an introduction to the project and perspectives from libraries.

Get the latest news on this project by signing up for the REALM email update newsletter. Have questions? Submit your inquiries about the project using this online form.
MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
San Antonio Snack Pack
Distributing Holiday Meals to Those in Need
San Antonio Public Library

Earlier this month, San Antonio Public Library and the San Antonio Public Library Foundation partnered with Snack Pack 4 Kids to kick off a new pilot program. During the extended winter break, the library will provide healthy snacks to children and teens at six SAPL locations. “Libraries are at the heart of our communities and we are proud to be able to provide for our community beyond our service efforts by partnering with other community organizations,” said SAPL Director Ramiro S. Salazar.
Make 2021 Yours
Connecting Youth to Experiences During Winter Break
Chicago Public Library Foundation

The Chicago Public Library Foundation joined Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Chicago First Lady Amy Eshleman earlier this month to announce the “Make 2021 Yours” campaign aimed at supporting, engaging and motivating Chicago’s youth this winter season. The city will be providing enriching virtual content via a new website with activities focused on culinary arts, STEM and academic/college readiness. “The thread that runs through all our work is our commitment to action that drives equity from providing broader access to resources, activating programs that provide space for creativity and learning,” said CPLF President Brenda Langstraat.
Ottawa Goes Fine Free
Ottawa Public Library

Starting January 1, Ottawa Public Library is closing the chapter on overdue fines and going fine free. The move will reduce any barriers that could prevent children and other vulnerable patrons from using the library. “Libraries are about encouraging access and connectivity and curiosity, and when you have fees like this, you just don't do that,” said Ottawa Public Library CEO Danielle McDonald.
Cincinnati Food Distribution
Partnering to Provide Meals and Books to Families
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library

Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library partnered with La Soupe Community Kitchen earlier this week to distribute free meals to community members at three different locations. In addition to meals, patrons were able to pick up free books for children. The library has distributed over 200,000 meals and snacks to people in the community this year.
#ULCCHAT RECAP: REACHING AND ENGAGING UNDERSERVED ENTREPRENEURS
Underserved Entrepreneurs
Last month, ULC hosted our second live Twitter chat which aligned with Global Entrepreneurship Week 2020. This chat offered an opportunity for participants to come together during the COVID-19 crisis to raise awareness of the library’s critical role in supporting entrepreneurs and inclusive economic recovery. Several ULC members led this conversation, including representatives from ULC’s Strengthening Libraries as Entrepreneurial Hubs Cohort and Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses action team. 

Thank you to the following libraries and organizations who participated:

ULC Members and Corporate Partners
  • DC Public Library
  • Gale Cengage Learning
  • Kansas City Public Library
  • Mid-Continent Public Library
  • Poudre River Public Library District
  • Prince George's County Memorial Library System
  • Rochester Public Library 
  • Toledo Lucas County Public Library
  • Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library

Additional Participants
  • Cities United
  • Conneaut Public Library
  • Dakota County Library
  • DC Small Business Center
  • EveryLibrary
  • Forward Cities
  • Internet2CAP
  • Kauffman Foundation
  • Kirstein Business Library & Innovation Center
  • Let’s Move In Libraries
  • Main Street America
  • Maryland Small Business Development Center
  • Missouri Library Association
  • National Association of Counties
  • Urban Main
ACCESS RESOURCES ON ULC'S MEMBER
KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
All-New Member Knowledge Exchange
Central Arkansas Library System
Nashville Public Library
St. Charles City-County Library
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
ULC Communications and Marketing Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
January 13 | Noon-1 p.m. ET
ULC Directors
Member Group Conference Call
January 14 | 4-5 p.m. ET
ULC Education Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
January 19 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC Development Professionals
Member Group Conference Call
January 27 | 4-5 p.m. ET
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
Pandemic NY
New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library

Find out how New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library have adjusted during the pandemic, which shut their buildings down for months earlier this year and continues to significantly impact their operations.

Twitter.com