This Week at ULC
Newsletter | February 23, 2022
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ULC CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH |
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In celebration of Black History Month this February, public libraries across the U.S. and Canada are engaging their communities in activities and critical conversations about Black history and culture, and shedding light on the structural racism and bias that is deeply embedded in our societies.
ULC is honored to join this celebration all month by highlighting member library voices and work. Below are just a few of the many amazing stories our members are sharing so far:
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LA County Library is celebrating Black History Month with their virtual poetry appreciation event highlighting notable Black poets and their poetry structures.
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Lake County Public Library will honor Black History Month with a display of history makers including Duke Ellington, Octavia Butler, Simone Biles and more!
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Multnomah County Library will offer events that provide trauma informed care in keeping with this year’s theme of Black Mental Health and Wellness.
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Tacoma Public Library is providing a family tree starter kit where patrons may trace their familial ancestry.
We look forward to sharing more highlights all year long! If you have suggested articles, blog posts or photos showcasing your events/programming, please be sure to send them to media@urbanlibraries.org.
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ROLE OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN SUMMER |
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National Summer Learning Association
ULC's Senior Advisor Liz McChesney recently co-wrote a blog with National Summer Learning Association CEO Aaron P. Dworkin highlighting how public libraries serve as a resource for families over the summer. Aimed at closing the increasing opportunity gaps between lower and higher income children, public libraries play a unique role as connectors for programs, partnerships and local government.
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AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT UPDATE |
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ULC continues to follow the developments around the American Rescue Plan Act and potential funding opportunities for ULC member libraries and the communities we serve.
Emergency Connectivity Fund Deadline Extension
The FCC has extended the service delivery deadline for all Emergency Connectivity Fund participants to June 30, 2023. This extension applies to first and second filing window applicants who requested support for equipment, other non-recurring services and recurring services.
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Cultivating Racial Equity and Inclusion
Los Angeles Public Library
LAPL's Changing Tone team began conducting staff workshops centered around building awareness and normalizing conversations about race and equity for the California State Library’s Cultivating Racial Equity and Inclusion Initiative. So far, the team has conducted five workshops with more than 600 participants.
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ULC Members Go Fine Free
Austin Public Library, Mississauga Library, Toronto Public Library
Public libraries across ULC’s membership continue to make the bold decision to waive overdue fines and late fees in an effort to ensure library access to all patrons. Read the linked announcements below to learn more about these libraries who are now fine free!
“The Austin Public Library is committed to providing free and equitable access to all of our resources for the citizens of Austin,” stated Austin Public Library Director Roosevelt Weeks.
“The time for going fine free is now, as we continue to provide access to library services for all and help our residents through the pandemic,” said Mississauga Library Director Rona O’Banion.
“This really is going to address social inequity for those people who live in racialized and low-income communities and have been blocked from library use at a higher rate than others in the community because of the financial hardship and barrier established by overdue fines,” said TPL Chief Librarian Vickery Bowles.
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In 2018, ULC created our Fine Free Map to help the public understand and learn from libraries that have gone fine free.
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Pictured (left to right): Jennings Mayor Yolanda Austin, Michael P. McMillan President & CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Kristen Sorth, St. Louis County Library Director & CEO, Dr. Gwendolyn Diggs Vice President of Head Start/Early Head Start at the Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis.
Partnering with Urban League to Promote Early Literacy
St. Louis County Library
Earlier this month, St. Louis County Library held a special outdoor event to kick off a new partnership with the Urban League aimed at promoting early literacy at one of their Head Start locations. St. Louis County Library Director & CEO Kristen Sorth said, “Capturing the imagination of young readers is the key to developing early literacy skills. Through the incredible world of these fun and dynamic stories, the read-along books help strengthen reading skills and build confidence. We are so grateful to Citi for making this opportunity possible and are thrilled to partner with the Urban League.”
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Pictured: Students checking out books from New Orleans Public Library Bookmobile c. 1960
Celebrating 125 Years Serving the Community
New Orleans Public Library
Opening in 1897, the first location of the New Orleans Public Library was housed inside St. Patrick’s Hall with more than 35,000 volumes in its collection. New Orleans Public Radio recently interviewed Library Director of City Archives and Special Collections Christina Bryant for insights on the library’s history and evolution over the last 125 years.
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LIBRARIES AND OPEN ECOSYSTEMS WEBINAR |
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Upcoming Webinar | February 28
OCLC, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District
On February 28 at 11 a.m. ET, join OCLC’s Research Support Specialist Brittany Brannon, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Executive Director Kelvin Watson and other international library leaders for an interactive webinar on libraries and open ecosystems. This session will focus on changes made both before and during the pandemic that influenced leaders’ visions for their libraries during the next five years.
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ULC MEMBER RECEPTION AT PLA CONFERENCE | MARCH 24 |
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Join your fellow ULC members on March 24 at 5:30 p.m. PT for an evening reception with light bites and libations during the Public Library Association Conference in Portland, Ore. Please mark your calendar and plan to join us!
Location
Hotel Eastlund, Cosmopolitan Ballroom
1021 NE Grand Ave
Portland, OR 97232
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ULC EDI Officers
Member Group Call
February 24 | 2-3 p.m. ET
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ULC Education Leaders
Member Group Call
February 28 | 2-3 p.m. ET
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ULC Social Workers & Public Safety Officers
Member Group Call
March 2 | 2-3 p.m. ET
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ULC Development Professionals
Member Group Call
March 9 | 3-4 p.m. ET
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ULC Deputy Directors
Member Group Call
March 15 | 2-3 p.m. ET
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ULC Communications and Marketing Leaders
Member Group Call
March 16 | Noon-1 p.m. ET
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ULC Member Reception at PLA
Reception
March 24 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. PT
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NEW RESOURCES IN ULC'S MEMBER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE |
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Data Sharing MOU
Fort Vancouver Regional Library District
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School District MOU
Mid-Continent Public Library
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Marketing Strategy Plan
Columbus Metropolitan Library
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Salt Lake City Public Library
Jason Rabb, longtime librarian at Salt Lake City Public Library, has spearheaded efforts to revamp the library’s archival and cultural efforts to highlight local music.
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We are looking for talented professionals to join our ULC team!
ULC’s Communications Manager will help our team implement communications and outreach efforts with internal and external stakeholders. The communications manager will work closely with ULC’s senior leadership team to raise the profile of how public libraries are addressing critical issues in local communities. Click here to apply >.
ULC’s National Program Manager will help collaborate on initiatives across ULC’s strategic focus areas to help public libraries lead education, strengthen digital equity and build healthy, sustainable communities through innovation. Click here to apply >.
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