ULC's 2022 Annual Forum: Creating a Place for Democracy was a HUGE success! Thank you to all 150+ attendees from 75 libraries across North America for being energized participants during the three days of expert-led sessions on preserving democracy and cultivating the future of libraries as a central pillar within our communities. Throughout the week, we heard from our featured speakers about the library's role in democracy, racism in democracy, the library's principles of free information and libraries as bridges towards civic renewal. Thank you to our speakers for leading these enriching discussions!

We especially want to thank all attendees for celebrating ULC's 50th Birthday with us — here's to another 50 years of strengthening and promoting the value of libraries!

This year's Annual Forum would not have been possible without our gracious hosts at the DC Public Library and the generous support of our sponsors at Baker & Taylor, Ingram Library Services, Children's Plus and Group 4.

Stay tuned for a full recap in the ULC Blog next week, and feel free to explore the highlights on Twitter using the hashtag #ULCForum22.

Sign on to ULC's Declaration of Democracy

During the closing session of this year’s Annual Forum, ULC issued a call to action that provides member libraries with a baseline for building policies and actions that preserve and protect democracy in our communities. As leaders of North America’s urban public libraries, we must commit to preserving, protecting and advancing the highest hopes and ideals of democracy so all members of our communities may fully participate in the democratic process.

NaNoWriMo Publishing Opportunities in Houston

Houston Public Library

November is NaNoWriMo — National Novel Writing Month! This national campaign, led by the nonprofit of the same name, challenges writers to write 50,000 words in the month of November. This year, the Houston Public Library has partnered with Indie Author Project to give writers the opportunity to publish their completed novel as an e-book on the Houston library database.

VICE: "Libraries Are Launching Their Own Local Music Streaming Platforms"

Edmonton Public Library, Madison Public Library, New Orleans Public Library

VICE Motherboard recently published an article about the latest growing trend in libraries across North America — offering unique music streaming services to patrons, with the goal of boosting artists and local music scenes. Originally created by Madison Public Library with the MUSICat software, many libraries are taking advantage of the software to create libraries of their own. The article highlights New Orleans' "Crescent City Sounds" and Edmonton's "Capital City Records," and their dedication to providing a gateway to local music.

Most Borrowed Book of All Time in Brooklyn

Brooklyn Public Library

Over the last month, Brooklyn Public Library has been counting down the 125 most borrowed books of all time in celebration of their 125th anniversary. In the 125 years the library system has served New Yorkers and others who frequent its locations, the system has acquired more than 2.86 million physical items and 250,000 digital materials. How many of this list have you read? Congratulations, BPL, on 125 years!

What Does Thanksgiving Mean to Indigenous Peoples?

The Indianapolis Public Library

In preparation of American Thanksgiving, The Indianapolis Public Library has published an online resource guide for understanding what Thanksgiving means to Indigenous Peoples in America. This resource highlights the history of Thanksgiving as a National Day of Mourning, perspectives about this meaning of the day and a guide to finding books by Indigenous authors.

November 30 | Free Webinar

Public Library Association, The Association for Rural & Small Libraries, Cambridge Public Library, Mid-Continent Public Library, San Francisco Public Library

Facing threats to our basic safety can often be traumatic and isolating. The Public Library Association (PLA) — in collaboration with ULC and the Association for Rural & Small Libraries — invites all library workers to join a free virtual event on Wednesday, November 30 to reflect and share with public library colleagues across the country. The panel will feature PLA president and Cambridge Public Library Director Maria McCauley, senior counsel to the director for the US Department of Justice Justin Lock, director of the Fort Worth (Texas) Public Library Manya Shorr, library social worker with San Francisco (Calif.) Public Library Leah Esguerra, and director of security at Mid-Continent Public Library (Independence, Mo.) Dustin Koopman. 

During this free virtual event, panelists will participate in a facilitated conversation that explores effective policies and practices to improve safety and security for library staff and patrons and invites questions and resources to be shared among all attendees.