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This Week at ULC
Newsletter | January 25, 2023
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In ULC's latest blog post, hear from Cedar Rapids Public Library Programming Manager Kevin Delecki about how CRPL embraced major obstacles to their summer learning as a lesson for their STEM-focused programming. A fire at the Downtown Library branch in July 2022 did not prevent summer learning, but rather served as a great lesson — for children and staff — in STEM: being flexible when faced with a problem and working together to find a solution. | |
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ULC Members Celebrate the Lunar New Year
Austin Public Library, Denver Public Library, Toronto Public Library
This past weekend marked the start of the Lunar New Year! To kick of the year of the rabbit, see how some ULC member libraries celebrated and engaged their community for the holiday:
Austin Public Library - Austin Public Library’s Lunar New Year celebration featured a traditional dance performance from local Love of China dance group, with crafting lanterns and red envelopes and opportunities to learn about Chinese culture.
Denver Public Library - Denver Public Library stopped by local Denver7 News to demonstrate an origami rabbit craft and to discuss the importance of celebrating cultures that may be different from one's own.
Toronto Public Library - Toronto Public Library's Lunar New Year celebration featured a performance of traditional Chinese instrument the Yangqin, a type of dulcimer.
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Celebrating National News Literacy Week
Kansas City Public Library, Boston Public Library
Just 26% of Americans say they trust most news most of the time. This week marks the fourth annual National News Literacy Week, co-presented by the News Literacy Project and The E.W. Scripps Company. Libraries are playing a strong role in closing the credibility gap and clarifying the problem of public distrust.
See some highlights from ULC members:
Kansas City Public Library - Kansas City Public Library employs a group of librarians called "Information Specialists" to assist patrons in finding accurate information. During National News Literacy Week, KCPL is hosting virtual "lunch and learns" with journalists to discuss democracy, disinformation, and distrust.
Boston Public Library - Boston Public Library is hosting a collection of events about news literacy and sharing resources to help patrons build critical thinking skills. One such event is "Think Like a Fact Checker: Evaluating Digital Information with Lateral Reading."
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Oak Park Debuts Young Men's Mentorship Program
Oak Park Public Library
Oak Park Public Library has partnered with the nonprofit YourPassion1st for a new young men's mentorship program that focuses on confidence building and workforce readiness. Library staff noticed a need for programming for young men and approached local nonprofit YourPassion1st to partner. “They’re teen magnets. They’re in tune with what teens want,” said Latonia Jackson, the library’s manager of middle and high school services. “We knew if anybody could get butts in seats, it would be them.”
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Pictured: Ferguson Library CEO Alice Knapp in the library's main branch in downtown Stamford, Conn. | |
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Becoming a Book Sanctuary in Stamford
Ferguson Library
Joining the ranks of the city of Chicago and the Chicago Public Library, Stamford, Connecticut has recently been declared a Book Sanctuary City! Alice Knapp, the CEO of Ferguson Library, writes that the library is "committed to collecting and protecting endangered books, making them accessible to the public, hosting book talks, events, and conversations about diverse characters and stories, and educating others on the history of book banning and burning."
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Salt Lake County Mayor Delivers State of the County Speech, Announces Mayor's Book Club
Salt Lake County Library
This week, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson delivered her State of the County speech in one of the county's pivotal institutions: the library. At Salt Lake County Library's Viridian Event Center, Mayor Wilson provided an update on the county's latest achievements and significant events. During her address, she also announced a new "Mayor's Book Club," where all Salt Lake residents can take part in reading or watching a monthly pick and access the content at their local library.
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Our ULC Member Job Board is regularly updated as we learn of new positions that are open at our member libraries. Once you are logged into your ULC member account, you can access the Job Board link on the left side under “Member Hub.” And, if you have a job posting at your library, please email info@urbanlibraries.org and we will gladly add it to the Job Board!
The latest job postings:
- Senior Executive Assistant - Live Oak Public Libraries
- Director of Collection Management - Live Oak Public Libraries
- Assistant Branch Manager – Central Arkansas Library System
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ULC's Member Knowledge Exchange makes it easy for our members to build relationships and share transformative tools and ideas with ULC library leaders across North America. If you have a resource you'd like to share with other member libraries, please email info@urbanlibraries.org.
The latest resources:
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ULC has 13 Member Groups based on staff roles and focused on specific areas of work. The groups are peer-to-peer networks that allow members to connect, share announcements, pose questions for feedback and discuss topics relevant to their everyday work. Staff with cross-function responsibilities are welcome to join multiple groups. The Member Group participants interact through e-Discussions, virtual calls and in-person meetups — see the below "Upcoming Events" or visit the ULC Events webpage to preview some of these Member Group events.
Staff in member libraries are encouraged to join ULC Member Groups to connect with their peers and share challenges, concerns, insights and innovations. These member groups are a hallmark of ULC’s commitment to facilitating the exchange of ideas and programs between leading libraries across North America.
To join a ULC Member Group, please contact ULC Project Manager, Matthew Wims.
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ULC Customer Experience Leaders Call
Member Group Call
January 30 | 3-4 p.m. ET
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ULC EDI Officers Call
Member Group Call
February 6 | 3-4 p.m. ET
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ULC Analytics and Tech Leaders Call
Member Group Call
February 9 | 2-3 p.m. ET
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ULC Social Workers Call
Member Group Call
February 13 | 4-5 p.m. ET
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Working with Middle School Students
Summer Learning Boot Camp #2
February 16 | 2-3 p.m. ET
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ULC Education Leaders Call
Member Group Call
February 20 | 2-3 p.m. ET
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ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE WEBINAR | |
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February 1, 2022 | 5 p.m. ET
Books Matter: Using Children's Literature to Invite Conversations about Identity, Bias and Social Justice
On February 1, ADL is hosting a webinar called "Books Matter: Using Children's Literature to Invite Conversations about Identity, Bias and Social Justice." Participants will learn about excellent book examples, examine development ages and stages in relation to anti-bias concepts, consider literature-based teaching ideas, and reflect on the recent surge in book banning and how educators can respond. All ULC members are invited to attend.
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LIBRARY JOURNAL SAFETY SUMMIT | |
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April 26-28, 2023 | Columbus Metropolitan Library
Library Journal Public Library Safety Summit
How can public libraries provide physically and emotionally safer and more secure environments for patrons and staff while protecting their privacy and maintaining open, equitable, and welcoming spaces?
Library Journal invites library directors, chief librarians, security heads, HR leaders, facilities directors, public service leaders and and other stakeholders in library safety to join peers from major North American library systems to learn about best practices from within and outside the library field. We’ll explore and workshop effective approaches and real-life examples, as well as address legal, technical, policy, staffing, and training challenges.
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Howard County Public Library
Howard County Public Library just hosted a successful seed sharing event — check out the photos!
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Anchorage Public Library
Anchorage Public Library is highlighting resources all about eggs — whether that's raising chickens or looking for alternatives.
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Miami-Dade Public Library System
Black History Month is almost here, and Miami-Dade is kicking off with Black History themed storytime!
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Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Library System
Check out how Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Library System is celebrating National Hobby Month!
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