This Week at ULC
Newsletter | October 13, 2021
SUBMIT YOUR 2021 INNOVATIONS TODAY
Innovations 2021 Submit Now
Submissions are officially open for ULC's 2021 Innovations Initiative! ULC's annual Innovations Initiative has recognized and raised the visibility of cutting-edge programs, strategies, tools, techniques and ideas from ULC’s entire membership. The awards program provides libraries a tremendous opportunity to tell your story and gain recognition for the huge impact you’ve made in your communities.

Please use the following links to preview the 2021 submission categories and discover tips for the 2021 application process. Entries will only be open from now through November 1, so we urge you to prepare your submissions now!
ULC would like to recognize and thank Ingram Content Group for their generous support of this year’s 2021 Innovations Celebration!
Need some inspiration? Check out these winning entries from last year:
Be Inspired | Milton Public Library
Leveraging CARES for Digital Equity |
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
COMMUNITIES FOR IMMUNITY: SECOND ROUND APPLICATION OPENS
Communities for Immunity Round 2
Libraries are among the most trusted sources of information in the U.S. and critical to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Communities for Immunity is a new, unprecedented initiative supporting museums and libraries across the country working to boost vaccine information and confidence in vaccine-hesitant communities. 

If your library is interested in engaging or already engaging in this work, apply now for funding to support your efforts! The application process is quick and easy. The deadline for libraries to apply for awards up to $100,000 is October 29.

The Association of Science and Technology Centers will host two upcoming applicant webinars to help prepare for Round Two applications. 


ULC is partnering on this new initiative supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Communities for Immunity provides funding awards and support to museums and libraries engaging their communities to boost COVID-19 vaccine confidence. 

Communities for Immunity builds on a number of ongoing library field efforts to activate engagement in vaccine confidence work, including REopening Archives, Libraries and Museums (REALM), a research partnership between OCLC, IMLS and Battelle.
MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
Fine Free Forever
Cincinnati Goes Fine Free
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library

Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library has joined libraries from across North America in eliminating fines. Paula Brehm-Heeger, the Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Library Director, said, “Our goal is to connect everyone in the community to the materials they want. This latest decision by the Board of Trustees will help us achieve that goal.”

Visit ULC's interactive Fine Free Map to learn more about how libraries are reducing access barriers.
Hosting a Free Financial Planning Day
San Francisco Public Library

San Francisco Public Library is partnering with the Financial Planning Association of San Francisco and the San Francisco Treasurer's Office to host the 11th annual San Francisco Financial Planning Day on October 23. At the free event, Bay Area residents can meet virtually one-on-one with financial professionals to plan their financial goals. “Since COVID, we’ve seen a tremendous increase in participation from patrons who are seeking ways to regain their financial footing whether by changing careers or just getting some professional advice so that they can make smarter choices with their money,” said SFPL Librarian Lia Hillman. 
Virginia Beach Stamped
Launching a Community Reading Series About Race
Virginia Beach Public Library

Virginia Beach Public Library is launching a new a series of programs dedicated to examining racism and injustice, which will include upcoming book discussions, local history and genealogy workshops and discussions about the local impact of systemic racism. The community read program series features Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi for adult readers; Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Kendi for teens; and Stamped (For Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You by Sonja Cherry-Paul, Reynolds and Kendi.
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT UPDATES
FCC Commits Over $1.1 Billion in Second Funding Wave of ECF Application Filing Window Now Open 
The Federal Communications Commission announced that it is committing more than $1.1 billion for 2,471 schools, 205 libraries and 26 consortia that applied for support from the $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. The FCC has now funded 2.4 million devices and 1.9 million broadband connections and responded to nearly 60 percent of applications. Learn More >

Stay tuned to ULC communications for regular updates and please review the latest resources on ULC’s American Rescue Plan Act web page.
FEATURED RESOURCES ON ULC'S MEMBER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
Explore new resources in the ULC Member Knowledge Exchange
Austin Public Library
Ottawa Public Library
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
ULC EDI Officers
Member Group Call
October 14 | 1-2 p.m. ET
ULC Education Leaders
Member Group Call
October 19 | 2-3 p.m. ET
NEW ON THE ULC BLOG
Nuestras Raíces En Pima County
Nuestras Raíces En Pima County
Pima County Public Library

In our latest ULC blog post written by PCPL's Managing Librarian Marissa Alcorta, discover how Pima County Public Library celebrates and honors the culture, voice and linguistic heritage of their Latinx and Spanish-speaking communities in Pima County.
NOW TRENDING ON SOCIAL
Fine Free Map 2021
Libraries across North America are joining the New York library systems in eliminating fines in their communities. Check out ULC's Fine Free map which has nearly 400 public libraries listed!
Questions?

Please contact Paul Negron, Senior Communications Manager: pnegron@urbanlibraries.org