This Week at ULC
Newsletter | August 18, 2021
ULC TO LAUNCH NEW SUMMER EQUITY INITIATIVE FOCUSED ON MIDDLE SCHOOL STEM
ULC is proud to announce Building Summer Equity: Middle School and STEM, a new project supported by Institute of Museum and Library Services grant number LG-250115-OLS-21. The project will enhance and scale field adoption of middle school STEM programs to advance summer learning equity.
 
ULC will partner with the National Summer Learning Association and National Recreation and Park Association including launching a new learning cohort this fall. Stay tuned to ULC communications for u dates on the application process, which will open this September. 
 
Interested in learning more? Check out these ULC resources on middle school STEM:
 
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT RESOURCES
First ECF Application Filing Window Now Closed
August 13 marked the end of the first application filing window for the $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund. Applicants were able to submit requests for funding for purchases to be made between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is the administrator of the ECF Program and will review 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.
MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
CALS Rock It Lab
Launching New Business Incubator Initiative
Central Arkansas Library System

CALS recently opened Rock It! Lab, a new business incubator program aimed at helping women and Black and Hispanic Arkansans start a small business. The learning and start-up hub will promote entrepreneurship, particularly in under-resourced communities with the goal of contributing to economic growth in Central Arkansas. The program provides free and low-cost assistance to help startups and early stage companies develop and grow their businesses.
Palo Alto City Library Director Kanth
Gayathri Kanth Named as New Library Director
Palo Alto City Library

Congratulations to Gayathri Katnh who was recently named as Palo Alto City Library's new director! Kanth was serving as the interim library services director since October 2019 and is currently a member of ULC’s Anti-Racism action team. Kanth said that she's "really proud of the work we've done to continue providing accurate information and library resources throughout the pandemic, including virtual and Sidewalk Services, earning grants to provide online programs, and helping run the City's Community Support Call Center."
LA County Goes Fine Free
LA County Library

Earlier this month, late fines at LA County Library were eliminated in a unanimous vote by the county’s Board of Supervisors. “This important initiative will help us do our everyday work of fostering learning experiences, sparking curiosity, making connections, and building skills for all LA County residents,” said LA County Librarian Skye Patrick. Visit ULC's interactive Fine Free Map to learn more about how libraries in North America are reducing access barriers.
IMLS Medal
Honored with IMLS National Medal Award
Memphis Public Libraries

On Tuesday, August 24, we encourage all ULC members to cheer on Memphis Public Libraries as they receive their 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to libraries and museums that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities! Memphis Public Libraries is one of three libraries chosen for the award this year, and the first ever two-time recipient (2007 and 2021). The event will be streamed live on the IMLS YouTube channel at 4 p.m. ET.
NEW ON THE ULC BLOG
Forsyth blog newsletter
Walking Alongside Forsyth County Customers on the Path to Digital Equity
Forsyth County Public Library
ULC connected with Forsyth County Public Library's Brian D. Hart (Director of Libraries), Elizabeth J. Skinner (Deputy Library Director) and Harweda Coe (Organizational Initiatives and Innovation Manager) for a discussion of the library's digital inclusion and equity leadership. Click here to read highlights from this conversation.
SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION
The Hive
Debuting New Community Hub of Creativity and Learning
Spokane Public Library
The Hive, a collaborative project between the Spokane Public Library and Spokane Public Schools, celebrated its grand opening last week as a place for makerspaces and artists in residence, school and library staff training and meeting space for public groups. The cutting-edge facility is called The Hive™ for the variety of learning activities that will take place there, offering vital support to Spokane’s education community and serving as a location for 21st-century public library services. The Hive™ includes large event spaces as well as one maker studio that can be reserved by the public with a library card.
NEW ON ULC'S MEMBER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
Explore new resources in the ULC Member Knowledge Exchange
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
ULC Collections Leaders
Member Group Call
August 25 | 2-3 p.m. ET
NOW TRENDING ON SOCIAL
Ingram Black Voices
Ingram Content Group

Introducing the #BlackVoices Author Series! Join us as we help amplify #BlackVoices through live virtual conversations with amazing, influential authors.