This Week at ULC
Newsletter | February 16, 2022
ULC CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH
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:

Ferguson Library is embracing Black History Month’s theme of Black Health and Wellness by opening an art exhibit featuring music and poetry readings, co-sponsored by the Stamford NAACP.

Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library will honor Black History Month by holding events focusing on Black-owned businesses, current local Black entrepreneurs and the historical trauma of Black women and their strategies in establishing unapologetic boundaries.

St. Louis Public Library offers programs and activities to learn about the Black Community’s experience and ways to practice self care.

Jefferson County Public Library is hosting a panel of leaders to discuss their personal experiences with working and living in Colorado in honor of Black History Month.

Milwaukee Public Library is holding a Black History Month Reading Challenge where library patrons are invited to read three recommended books relating to Black history and heritage.

We look forward to sharing more highlights all month long! ​If you have suggested articles, blog posts or photos showcasing your events/programming, please be sure to send them to media@urbanlibraries.org.
NATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK
NatlEshipWeek 2022
This week, we celebrate America’s entrepreneurship ecosystem with National Entrepreneurship Week! ULC member libraries encourage entrepreneurship within their communities — especially for people of color, women, immigrants and veterans — and play an essential role in strengthening the local support network for economic opportunity.
ULC MEMBER RECEPTION AT PLA CONFERENCE | MARCH 24
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
SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION
Archiving the Black Web
Archiving the Black Web: A National Forum
Broward County Library

Broward County Library created "Archiving the Black Web: A National Forum to Map the Landscape, Define the Issues and Plan a Strategy for Documenting the Black Experience Online" to begin the archival process of Black cultural/historical collections online. The initiative aims to address the issues of unequal and white-led academic institutions and national libraries by creating an archival process that effectively documents the Black experience online.
MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
Kelly Richards
Kelly Richards Takes Helm as Library's New Director
Free Library of Philadelphia

Earlier this year, Kelly Richards began his role as the Free Library of Philadelphia's new president and director. Richards previously served as the director of the Muskegon Area District Library in Michigan and president of the Michigan Library Association. "I am honored by the opportunity to work with the passionate and dedicated Free Library team. Being part of such an integral institution is an awesome responsibility, and I will take on this leadership role with the help of our staff as we work to uphold the values and mission of the Free Library of Philadelphia," Richards said.
Brampton Winter Kits
Providing Winter Activity Kits for Patrons
Brampton Library

Brampton Library has curated a number of outdoor and indoor activity kits for their community members. Patrons can check out a range of winter essentials like kids and adult snowshoes, trekking poles for skiing and an indoor mini hockey set!
Community Conversations
San José Welcomes First EDI Quality Standards
San José Public Library

Earlier this month, the San José City Council approved the proposed Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Quality Standards (EDIQS). The standards were introduced to Council by the San José Public Library with the support from the Office of Racial Equity. The standards are comprised of the following six (6) areas:

  1. Anti-Racist Approach
  2. Inclusive Programming
  3. Data Collection and Analysis
  4. Culturally-Relevant Pedagogy
  5. Community Involvement in Programming
  6. Outreach as Key to Inclusion

“I’m especially appreciative, knowing that the Quality Standards were developed from the deep, long-standing commitment and expertise of our library teams and community stakeholders to the foundational values of equity and social justice in supporting everyone in their learning journeys.,” said City Librarian Jill Bourne.
NEW ON THE ULC BLOG
The Freedom to Read is Worth Fighting For
The Freedom to Read is Worth Fighting For
Anti-Defamation League

In our latest ULC blog post, Jinnie Spiegler from the Anti-Defamation League outlines the impacts of book banning on children and the steps libraries can take to ensure free access to library materials.
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
ULC EDI Officers
Member Group Call
February 24 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC Education Leaders
Member Group Call
February 28 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC Social Workers & Public Safety Officers
Member Group Call
March 2 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC Development Professionals
Member Group Call
March 9 | 3-4 p.m. ET
ULC Deputy Directors
Member Group Call
March 15 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC Member Reception at PLA
Reception
March 24 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. PT
NEW RESOURCES IN ULC'S MEMBER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
Explore new resources in the ULC Member Knowledge Exchange
Annual Impact Report
Saint Paul Public Library

Fine Free Report
San Francisco Public Library

Recommendations for the Elimination of Fines
Cambridge Public Library
NOW TRENDING ON SOCIAL
South Pasadena Public Library

Thanks to South Pasadena Public Library for being the latest library to sign our Statement on Race and Social Equity! Find out how 213 public libraries are actively working to foster a more just and inclusive world.
Prince William Public Libraries

It's here! Our 2021 Top Innovator Award arrived this week from ULC for our "Resilient and Responsible Communities" program, engaging our community in programs and conversations that address the climate crisis. 
JOIN OUR ULC TEAM
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 >.
Questions?

Contact ULC's Director of Communications Paul Negron at pnegron@urbanlibraries.org.