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ULC Member News

Newsletter | August 30, 2023

ULC ANNUAL FORUM: MEMBER RATE CLOSING

ULC Annual Forum 2023: People, Power, Place

Today's Urban Public Library

This is the last week to secure the ULC member rate to attend the Annual Forum from October 25 to 27 in Seattle, WA. Follow this link to sign up by Friday, September 1 and save $55! The event is open to ULC members, corporate partners and non-members in the urban library ecosystem. Learn more about the Annual Forum At-a-Glance.

KEYNOTE ANNOUNCEMENT

ULC is proud to announce Tracie D. Hall, Executive Director of the American Library Association, as a keynote speaker at this year’s ULC Annual Forum! Join ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater for an Advocacy Town Hall on Friday, October 26th as he and Tracie discuss future communications and advocacy strategy and the role ALA and ULC will take to support the voice and message of public library leaders and staff.

Additional program announcements include:

Futures Masterclass: How to Embrace Uncertainty (for all attendees)
Library & Foundation Executive Session (by invitation only)
Deputy Directors Session (by invitation only)

Review these session descriptions, access the full schedule of events, see who is attending and begin your registration at the ULC Annual Forum webpage. You can also reserve your room at the forum programming hotel, The Grand Hyatt Seattle, through a link on the registration page.

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

"Austin’s Head Librarian Gets Real About Censorship and Community Building"

ULC Board Chair Roosevelt Weeks

Austin Monthly Magazine recently sat down with Austin Public Library Director Roosevelt Weeks — who also serves as Chair of the ULC Board of Directors — about what makes community spaces so vital, the importance of access for all, and how his staff is weathering the storm of this emotionally charged climate.

"A Chat with Hoboken Public Library’s Director"

ULC Board Member Jennie Pu

Almost all cities and towns in America have at least one thing in common — a public library. Hoboken Public Library Director Jennie Pu says that she will sometimes encounter folks who have moved from other countries and are expecting to rent out books, but are instead astonished at the fact that the books are free to loan out. Read the recent piece from The Hoboken Girl.

MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP

Opening the First Autism Certified Library Branch in Indiana

The Indianapolis Public Library

Join us in congratulating The Indianapolis Public Library for opening its new Fort Ben Branch Library — the first autism-certified library in Indiana! The Indy Autism Project and Easterseals Crossroads sponsored the Fort Ben Branch, allowing staff to undergo necessary training in educational, behavioral, social and emotional needs of individuals on the autism spectrum. READ MORE.

New Exhibit Pays Tribute to Hamiltonian Holocaust Survivors

Hamilton Public Library

Kaye Prince-Hollenberg, a Hamilton Public Library librarian and genealogist, stumbled upon a 1984-published booklet called "Holocaust Recollections" and was inspired to create a new exhibit. The booklet tells the stories of 10 Hamiltonians who survived the Holocaust. Together with the library's 2023 Hamilton Reads pick, Nothing the Same, Everything Haunted, the exhibit pays tribute to the survivors and history. READ MORE.

Gun Violence Prevention and Education Program Expanded

Anne Arundel County Public Library

Free gun safety locks are now available at all 15 Anne Arundel County Public Library branches. The program, led by the Department of Health’s Gun Violence Intervention Team (GVIT) in partnership with the library, is the first of its kind in Maryland and was first launched in April (launch event pictured left). The goal of the program is to mitigate the risk of harm or death by providing a free resource to gun owners that ensures firearms are secured. READ MORE.

New Programming for Pre-School, Second Grader Literacy

New Orleans Public Library

Three new programs though the New Orleans Public Library are helping to develop literacy among children. Readers 2.0 is a free field trip program for New Orleans public school second graders designed by education experts at the library and the Louisiana Children's Museum. The library, LCM and the city Office of Youth and Families are teaming up for the project. Two additional playtime programs are also kicking off this fall.