This Week at ULC
Newsletter | February 10, 2021
A VALENTINE FOR YOU FROM ULC AND ADDLIBRA
AddLibra Bookstore Founder and CEO Michael Sherrod loves ULC, our members and our work — and not just because he is a former ULC Executive Board member! Michael's love for libraries and ULC is what led him to create AddLibra as a "prosocial alternative" for online book shopping. And, it's why AddLibra has pledged to donate 10% of its revenue to directly support ULC strategic initiatives.

To share its love with you this Valentine’s week, AddLibra is offering a special promotion for ULC members – and your friends and family. Use the promo code ULCLOVE to enjoy a 15% discount (plus free shipping!) for all AddLibra book purchases through March 14.

"[AddLibra has] taken a page from libraries – our mission is to build a future where everyone has an equitable chance to learn, play, work and pursue their dreams,” said Michael Sherrod. “We’re thrilled to ... give back to libraries across North America by supporting the Urban Libraries Council’s critical research and programs.”
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Black History Month 2021
Libraries across the U.S. and Canada are engaging their communities in activities and critical conversations about Black history and culture, as well as the structural racism and bias that is deeply embedded in our societies.

ULC is honored to join this celebration by highlighting member library voices and work through our newsletter, blog and social media. Below are just a few of the many amazing stories our members have shared so far:

  • Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (Pa.) is offering a Fabric Collages Creative Course inspired by the work of artist Bisa Butler, known for her colorful quilted portraits of famous figures in Black history including Frederick Douglass and Josephine Baker.

  • Edmonton Public Library (Alta.) is showcasing a video on their website about the history of Black Canadians in Alberta.


  • Los Angeles Public Library (Calif.) is highlighting the value of historically Black colleges and universities during a TEENtastic Tuesday session later this month. 

  • Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (Md.) will host Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and author Leonard Pitts Jr. for a discussion about the history of voter suppression in the United States and Black voter engagement in American politics. 

  • San Diego Public Library issued a commemorative Black History Month library card showcasing some of the standout achievements made by Black Americans, designed by high school student Sahithi Lingampalli.
  • Palm Beach County Library System
We look forward to sharing more highlights all month long! ​If you have suggested articles, blog posts or photos showcasing your events/programming, please be sure to send them to media@urbanlibraries.org.
MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
Montgomery County Goes Fine Free
Montgomery County Public Libraries

To ensure that all county residents have equitable access to MCPL resources and services, Montgomery County Public Libraries is the latest library system to join the Fine Free movement. “We hope that anyone who stopped using our wonderful libraries will come back and take advantage of our great services,” said MCPL Director Anita Vassallo.
Christopher Franks, Springfield City Library
Pictured: Adult Services Supervisor Christopher Franks at the desk in Wellman Hall. 
Helping Seniors Schedule Vaccine Appointments
Springfield City Library

When the online vaccine registration process proved to be a major challenge for residents ages 75+, Springfield City Library staff joined with the city’s Department of Health and Human Services to help make appointments for local seniors via phone. Staff are enjoying the chance to connect with the Springfield community while the library buildings are still closed to the public, and they are very grateful for this opportunity to assist elders in this way.
Prince William Public Library Wi-Fi
Pictured: A Prince William Public Libraries staff member helps a patron check out a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.
Providing Digital Access to Those in Need
Prince William Public Libraries

PWPL is adding more than 250 mobile Wi-Fi hotspots to its collection, expanding free internet access to patrons beyond their 12 public service locations. Patrons will be able to check out the additional kits for three weeks. “Prince William Public Libraries is committed to removing barriers to digital access and ensuring that we are striving to achieve our vision in being the hub connecting people to the transforming power of information, both in and beyond our buildings,” said PWPL Director Deborah Wright.
SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION
2020 Innovations
Be Inspired
Milton Public Library
Milton Public Library’s chief librarian oversaw the creation of a new brand that supported organizational efforts to better meet the evolving needs of MPL’s increasingly diverse patrons. As a result, the library saw an increase in the active cardholder rate by 40% in under 18 months and patrons continue to praise the new branding — particularly the redesign of MPL’s website and social media channels where engagement has increased by 2,000%.

Click here to learn more about this groundbreaking work, which earned Milton Public Library a Top Innovator distinction for the 2020 ULC Innovations Initiative. 

Click here to review all 260 submissions to the 2020 Innovations Initiative.
Milton Public Library Be Inspired
Tips from the Innovators

When embarking on a rebranding effort:

  • Know your audience
  • Keep it simple
  • Be creative
  • Don't be constrained by convention
DIGITAL NAVIGATORS UPDATE
Q&A with Esmeralda Avalos
Salt Lake City Public Library
ULC is connecting with Digital Navigators for one-on-one discussions of their work on the forefront of this exciting new initiative. Read the second interview in this series, featuring SLCPL's Esmeralda Avalos, to learn how Esmeralda engages with the community to offer individual support to those patrons in need of digital assistance.

Now being piloted by Salt Lake City Public Library and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, the Digital Navigators service model positions trained individuals to provide phone-based support for issues related to the full spectrum of digital needs.

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant number LG-248566-OLS-20.
NEW ULC BLOG: READING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE IN CHALLENGING TIMES
Young family
ADL Director of Curriculum Jinnie Spiegler Pens ULC Blog Post
Anti-Defamation League

In our latest blog post, learn how libraries and schools have worked to ensure book access for children during the pandemic, as well as tips for using books to open conversations that help children and young people acknowledge, understand and navigate these challenging times.
NEW ON ULC'S MEMBER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
All-New Member Knowledge Exchange
Enoch Pratt Free Library
Howard County Library System
Anchorage Public Library
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
ULC Analytics Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
February 11 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC Education Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
February 16 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC Communications and Marketing Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
February 17 | Noon-1 p.m. ET
NOMINATE A 2021 DIGITAL EQUITY CHAMPION
Nominations Due February 12
National Digital Inclusion Alliance

NDIA is now accepting applications for the 2021 Digital Equity Champion awards, named for Charles Benton, the founder of Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. Nominees should exhibit a commitment to digital inclusion programs and demonstrated leadership in their community.
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
A new toolkit resource from the REALM Project that synthesizes information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on cleaning and disinfecting considerations is now available for download!

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