This Week at ULC
Newsletter | March 3, 2021
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NEW REPORT ON PUBLIC LIBRARIES' DIGITAL LEADERSHIP IN THE PANDEMIC |
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ULC and Members Featured in New America Report
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Background on the ongoing work of public libraries as advocates for achieving home broadband access for all, including information about the FCC's Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (click here to view ULC's comments).
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Data on disparities in access to and use of online library resources, including differences by age and race/ethnicity.
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Case studies of how libraries are closing the digital divides in their communities, including examples of ULC's work with Salt Lake City Public Library on the Digital Navigators initiative as well as Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach's Mobile Library services.
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Recommendations for policymakers, libraries and educators and leaders of community-based organizations.
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UPCOMING ULC WEBINAR MARCH 17 |
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ULC Toolkit Tour: Closing the Entrepreneurship Gap
Durham County Library, East Baton Rouge Parish Library
Join ULC on March 17 for an in-depth discussion on how your library can strengthen its role as a driver for local economic recovery, resilience and equity. Hear about a new set of strategies and tools created by ULC to address support gaps for high-need entrepreneurs and ultimately strengthen your community. Learn about the different resources in the new Closing the Entrepreneurship Gap: Tools for Libraries guide and hear directly from Durham County Library and East Baton Rouge Parish Library on how they have employed these strategies to support their local economic recovery.
Featuring:
- Betsey Suchanic, Program Manager, Urban Libraries Council
- Leander A. Croker, Business Services Manager, Durham County Library
- Ned Denby, Business Liaison Librarian, East Baton Rouge Parish Library
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Pictured: Augusta Braxton Baker (r.) led an effort at NYPL to ensure children’s literature positively portrayed people of color.
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Honoring the Women Who Built NYPL
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is celebrating Women’s History Month with spotlights on significant women librarians from their 125 year history. "These trailblazing librarians, who overcame tremendous challenges and fought relentless adversity, were all central in making us what we are today,” said NYPL President Anthony W. Marx.
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Providing Legal Assistance to Patrons During the Pandemic
St. Louis County Library
St. Louis County Library has partnered with several justice involved organizations to launch a new Tap In Center where individuals can obtain legal assistance and connect with local support services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The library is providing a safe space for people who need assistance in resolving warrants, meeting with an attorney, learning their case status, applying for a public defender and even accessing a cell phone. “It’s just a safe, neutral, calm, welcoming space, and it’s removing all of those barriers and those worries that someone might have going into the court system,” said SLCL Director and CEO Kristen Sorth.
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Anne Arundel County Goes Fine Free
Anne Arundel County Public Library
Earlier this week, Anne Arundel County Public Library announced that all system materials are now fine free. This follows the January 2020 decision when the library went fine free for children’s and teen materials. “Fines are a barrier that disproportionately impact people without the means to pay,” said Library CEO Skip Auld.
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Grand Family Fundamentals Class
Queens Public Library
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Recognizing the many barriers immigrant seniors face, Queens Public Library designed a comprehensive learning program to address the needs of an underserved population – low-income, Mandarin-speaking seniors in Flushing with young grandchildren.
As a result of the program, all of the grandparents improved their English-speaking skills and learned new skills during the virtual classes that will help them navigate community resources and enjoy fulfilling relationships with their grandchildren.
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- Collaboration is key. Work with other departments within your library and/or other community-based organizations to provide content in their area of expertise.
- Even though there are many tutorials out there, students appreciate when you spend time creating your own tutorials for your virtual classroom.
- Meet each student wherever they are in terms of technology, language and coping skills. Build from there for each student.
- Whenever possible, have a helper in the class (staff member, volunteer, student, etc.) to assist with translation, sharing content and modeling activities.
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Click here to learn more about this groundbreaking work, which earned Queens Public Library a Top Innovator distinction for the 2020 ULC Innovations Initiative.
Click here to review all 260 submissions to the 2020 Innovations Initiative.
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GETTING SONOMA TEENS INTO THE "MIND OF A SCIENTIST" |
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Young Adult Services Librarian Rosalie Abbott Pens ULC Blog
Sonoma County Library
Discover how Sonoma County Library created a new STEM learning opportunity for teens that addresses race and social equity issues embedded within science and our society.
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NEW ON ULC'S MEMBER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE |
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Contra Costa County Library
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ULC Education Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
March 16 | 2-3 p.m. ET
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ULC Toolkit Tour: Closing the Entrepreneurship Gap
Webinar
March 17 | 1-2 p.m. ET
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ULC Communications and Marketing Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
March 24 | Noon-1 p.m. ET
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NO MBA REQUIRED: HOW TO ENGAGE YOUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY |
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Free Webinar Recording
Gale Cengage, Brooklyn Public Library
Natalie Cannestra, Brooklyn Public Library’s Business and Career Librarian, was a featured speaker during a recent webinar hosted by Gale Cengage showcasing how libraries are supporting small businesses. Watch the webinar to learn new ways to create innovative programing, strengthen outreach efforts and foster partnerships with business service providers.
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DON'T FORGET YOUR VALENTINE DISCOUNT FROM ADDLIBRA |
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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.
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.” |
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Thanks to Ontario's New Tecumseth Public Library for being the latest library to sign our Statement on Race and Social Equity! Find out how 204 public libraries are actively working to foster a more just and inclusive world.
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