This Week at ULC
Newsletter | January 22, 2020
MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
Stemming Homelessness Through "Home Sharing"
Pierce County Library System

Pierce County Library System has launched a new series of public forums designed to educate community members about the benefits of renting out spare rooms in their homes to individuals in need. Developed in partnership with the nonprofit Shared Housing Services, these forums will take place at PCLS branches through March, connecting individuals who have spare rooms to community members who are on the brink of (or already experiencing) homelessness.
Gayle Holloman Begins New Executive Director Role
Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System

Atlanta native Gayle Holloman was welcomed as the new executive director for Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System earlier this month. An outstanding public servant with vast community relations experience, Holloman has served in a variety of roles at AFPLS since 1994.
ULC Library Leaders Run for PLA Board Positions

In the 2020 PLA elections, seven nominees from ULC member libraries will stand for four positions — PLA President, Division Councilor and two Directors-at-Large. Melanie Huggins (Executive Director, Richland Library) and Kent Oliver (Library Director, Nashville Public Library) are running for PLA President. Stephanie Chase (Director of Libraries, Hillsboro Public Library) is a candidate for ALA Division Councilor. Kevin King (Head of Community Engagement, Kalamazoo Public Library), Brandy A. McNeil (Associate Director, Tech Education, New York Public Library), Steven V. Potter (Library Director and CEO, Mid-Continent Public Library) and Dara Hanke Schmidt (Library Director, Cedar Rapids Public Library) are running for Directors-at-Large.

Ballot mailing for the 2020 election begins on March 9, 2020 and will run through April 1, 2020. Best of luck to everyone running!
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
Webinar: Security Awareness for Employees - Protecting Your Network from Cyber Threats
February 6 | Noon-1 p.m. ET

Join East Baton Rouge Parish Library as they share and discuss the policies, assessment tools and training they have implemented to help staff become more aware of security threats.
ULC Communications and Marketing Leaders Member Group Call
February 12 | Noon-1 p.m. ET

ULC marcomms professionals connect to discuss outreach strategies, messaging tactics, pressing questions and other matters related to community engagement for Census 2020.
ULC Development Professionals Member Group Call
February 19 | 2-3 p.m. ET

ULC development professionals connect to discuss effective library and foundation partnerships.
ULC Member Breakfast at PLA
February 28 | 9-10:30 a.m. CT

ULC members are invited to a breakfast and discussion at Nashville Public Library during PLA.
NEW IN THE ULC KNOWLEDGE CENTER
Prince George's County Memorial Library System
Saint Paul Public Library
ULC CONVENES ENTREPRENEURSHIP PEER LEARNING COHORT
Launched in collaboration with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, ULC’s  Strengthening Libraries as Entrepreneurial Hubs initiative  is exploring the role libraries play in nurturing and promoting entrepreneurship in the communities they serve — particularly for people of color, women, immigrants and veterans. Central to this work are 12 public library systems from across the U.S. and Canada who have formed a Peer Learning Cohort to pilot innovative ways that libraries can reach and engage underrepresented entrepreneurs.
 
On January 16-17, ULC convened leaders from these Learning Cohort libraries in Baltimore to discuss their plans for the project’s second year. Attendees also engaged in conversations about entrepreneurial ecosystem mapping, assessment planning and partnership development. Stay  tuned to the ULC  website for regular updates about this initiative.
LIBRARY FREEDOM INSTITUTE APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
This Is Your Chance to Train as a Privacy Advocate

Library Freedom Institute is a free, privacy-focused four-month program that teaches librarians the skills necessary to thrive as privacy advocates. The organization is now seeking applicants for its third cohort beginning in March. Applications are open from now until February 15, 2020 .
SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHT
Urban Libraries Council on Twitter

On this National Day of Racial Healing, we know that public libraries can bring people together to create a more just and equitable world. Download this library action kit to find out ways to get started ➡️ https://t.co/AmcYeFOzlj #HowWeHeal...

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