This Week at ULC
Newsletter | October 14, 2020
BEYOND ALLYSHIP CONVERSATION SERIES STARTS TOMORROW
john a. powell 10/15
A Conversation with Professor john a. powell
ULC's Beyond Allyship Conversation Series

Systemic racism injures all of us — not just those who are being “othered” but also those who perpetuate that “othering.” These painful injuries happen on many levels, including the individual, structural and societal spheres — so healing must also happen on many levels. But, we can’t truly heal these deep wounds while racialized violence and discrimination are still being perpetuated.

Please join ULC library leaders tomorrow for a critical conversation with professor john a. powell, one of the world’s most important, thoughtful scholars on civil and human rights. Professor powell will lead us in a vital discussion about the systemic racism embedded in the spaces we inhabit as leaders, library professionals and individuals, including how we can begin to co-create alternative spaces to enable real healing.

This conversation will be recorded. However, in order to receive the recording, you must register for the event.
ALL 2020 ULC INNOVATIONS ENTRIES ARE LIVE
2020 Innovations Entries Now Live
Thank you to everyone who submitted entries to our 2020 ULC Innovations Initiative! The 260 entries are now viewable online at our website. ULC will be reaching out to the directors/CEOs of award-winning libraries this November.
REALM PROJECT UPDATE
REALM Project
Battelle released test results for a fifth round of items commonly circulated by libraries, including:
  • Polyolefin (upholstery)
  • Polyvinyl chloride “vinyl” (upholstery)
  • 100% cotton (upholstery, draperies, toys)
  • Nylon webbing (stanchion belts, bags, ropes)
  • Leather bookbinding

Results show that after eight days of quarantine, SARS-CoV-2 virus was still detected on leather and synthetic leather materials. For the polyolefin fabric and nylon webbing, only the amount of virus after the initial one hour of drying time could be measured: fewer than 131 particles detected on the polyolefin and fewer than 655 on the nylon webbing. No data for the cotton fabric could be collected or reported. 

Battelle also released a summary of Phase 2 literature review findings. To receive the latest news on this project, please sign up for the REALM email update newsletter. You may also submit questions about the project via this online form.
GOING FORWARD FROM THE PANDEMIC
As we move through the fall, our action teams continue their hard work synthesizing ideas and developing strategies for libraries to address the pandemic and its impact. Take a deep dive into helpful resources and check out the latest libraries highlighted in our "Faces on the Front Line" photo series at urbanlibraries.org.
MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
Tess Mayer
Berkeley Welcomes Tess Mayer as New Director
Berkeley Public Library

Mayer began her role as BPL's new director of library services on September 21, coming from King County Library System where she served as the director for library outreach, programs and services for more than five years. Berkeley Public Library Board of Library Trustees President John Selawsky stated, “Mayer brings a wealth of professional experience and expertise, but just as important brings a commitment to community engagement, union and staff involvement and equity.”
New Grand Rapids Mobile Library
On the Move with a New Mobile Library
Grand Rapids Public Library

Earlier this week, GRPL debuted a new mobile library charged with bringing materials pickup, internet access and a wide range of educational experiences and adaptable senior services to patrons in Grand Rapids. The mobile library aims to reach residents who are unable to visit one of the library's physical locations.
Saint Paul Cultural Liasions
Supporting the Karen, Somali and Latinx Communities
Saint Paul Public Library

Through a competitive process, Saint Paul Public Library received national recognition and investment through a major CARES Act grant from IMLS. With the substantial funding, the library can continue to offer culturally responsive services to Saint Paul’s ethnically and racially diverse communities. Community Services Coordinator Phasoua Vang said, “Since March, our liaisons have had over 4,500 community interactions, including storytimes for kids, offering technology help and providing one-to-one help with navigating unemployment and COVID information."
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
ULC Deputy Directors
Member Group Conference Call
October 14 | 4-5 p.m. ET
Creating Space for Racial Healing
A Conversation with john a. powell
October 15 | 2-3:15 p.m. ET
ULC HR Professionals
Member Group Conference Call
October 19 | 1-2 p.m. ET
ULC Education Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
October 20 | 2-3 p.m. ET
AI & PANDORA: RESTRAINING EVIL, LIBERATING HOPE
Director Shari Henry Pens ULC Blog Post
Roanoke County Public Library

Learn how RCPL embraced artificial intelligence prior to the pandemic and how the library quickly pivoted during closure to transfer programming online.
KEY RESOURCES ON THE ULC MEMBER KNOWLEDGE CENTER
The Indianapolis Public Library
Portland Public Library
Pioneer Library System
ULC will launch a leveled-up version of our member website next Wednesday! This new platform will make it even easier for you to build relationships and share tools and ideas with library leaders across North America. 
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHTS
Celebrating Thanksgiving in Canada

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends and library members in Canada! We are thankful for you and the tremendous effort you put forth in making your public libraries thrive.

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NYPL Indigenous Peoples Day
New York Public Library

To honor Indigenous Peoples Day, librarians and curators from New York Public Library selected 20 books highlighting the rich and diverse history of literature by and about Indigenous people in the U.S. 

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