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ULC Member News
Newsletter | June 5, 2024
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Register Now for the Annual Business Meeting | |
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ULC Annual Business Meeting (Virtual)
Thursday, June 20, 2024 | 4:00 p.m. ET
Join ULC on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. for our virtual Annual Business Meeting. During this meeting, members will hear a mid-year report from ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater on the current state of the organization, highlights of successful programs from ULC members and details on upcoming events like the 2024 ULC Annual Leadership Forum.
Members will also vote on the proposed board slate, which outlines the Board Officers standing for election 2024-2025 and Board Members standing for election for the 2024-2026 term. View the full Board slate here to prepare for the vote.
Attendance of this meeting is highly encouraged! Please register below to attend.
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ULC Member Reception at ALA Conference 2024 | |
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Join ULC at the San Diego Central Library on Friday, June 28 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. PT for an evening of networking and connecting with your peers. Light bites and refreshments will be provided, as well as the option to take a tour of the Central Library! We look forward to seeing you there.
Registration is required to secure your spot. Don't miss out on this chance to engage with fellow ULC members. If you need assistance with your Member Hub username and login, contact ULC's Membership Manager Matt Wims at mwims@urbanlibraries.org. Registration will close on June 12.
This Member Reception is presented in collaboration with the San Diego County Library and San Diego Public Library.
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From the CEO | Takeaways from the CEO Roundtable | |
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Strategies for Libraries Responding to the Critical Issue of Homelessness
Brooks Rainwater, ULC President and CEO
Just a few weeks ago, we gathered more than 40 library directors and CEOs from across North America for our 2nd Annual CEO Roundtable in Los Angeles, CA. Held in partnership with the LA County Library and the Los Angeles Public Library, the event focused on strategies for public libraries’ responsiveness to the critical issue of homelessness. Through compelling personal narratives and dynamic panel discussions, we learned about the innovative solutions that Los Angeles area leaders and others have created and tailored to meet the needs of the unhoused.
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Spotlight on Big City Reads | |
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Public libraries all across North America are discovering the power of community reads. Last month, ULC hosted a Member Conversation with representatives from Chicago Public Library, DC Public Library and San Francisco Public Library about the libraries' experiences hosting Big Read/City Read programs, covering everything from book selection to program design and funding.
We are happy to release a new Best Practices resource for members, compiling the expertise shared in the Member Conversation. Access the resource in the ULC Member Hub's Knowledge Exchange.
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Bringing One Book, One County to LA
LA County Library, Los Angeles Public Library
Another area that has recently introduced a Big Read is Los Angeles! Just this week, LA County Library and Los Angeles Public Library announced the launch of 'One Book, One County,' slated to be the largest book club in L.A. Starting from June 1 and running through July 27, the initiative invites the whopping 9.8 million L.A. County residents from 18 total library systems to read and discuss María Amparo Escandón's New York Times bestseller, L.A. Weather. READ MORE.
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How a Mobile Barbershop Helped Increase Childhood Reading
Cleveland Public Library
In partnership with Barbershop Books, ULC’s Barbershop Books Pilot for Libraries supported a small cohort of libraries in 2023 and 2024 to provide reading opportunities to Black boys directly in barbershops in their local communities. The Cleveland Public Library knew participation would be beneficial as it aligned with the library's goal to put books into the community and possibly create change. Read about Cleveland's successful pilot program in ULC's latest article. READ MORE.
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The New Yorker: "Not Your Childhood Library"
Hennepin County Library
In case you missed it late last month, a piece from The New Yorker highlighted the Hennepin County Library, in particular the Minneapolis Central Library, and its response to homelessness and other social services. Social workers serve the most vulnerable members of society, and that has also become true of librarians. In the Minneapolis Central Library, the system brings those two together. READ MORE.
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Kicking off National Indigenous History Month in Canada
Calgary Public Library
June 1 marked the beginning of National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Calgary Public Library kicked off a whole month of celebrations with a blessing from Nakoda Elder Alice Kaquitts, a round dance led by Skip Wolfleg, tipi raising and teachings, traditional Dene and Inuit games and art. The Library will also be featuring artwork all month created by Métis-Cree two-spirit illustrator Paityn Savoie for National Indigenous History Month displays. READ MORE.
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A Greener Way to Read
Montgomery County Public Libraries
Summer reading program prizes are a fun way to spark children’s participation. But those prizes often consist of non-recyclable plastic items that—once the fun has worn off—end up as trash. Like a growing number of library systems across North America, Montgomery County Public Libraries recently chose a greener, more community-focused way to get kids excited about books during their summer break. READ MORE.
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Reminder: 2024 Innovations Opens June 17 | |
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The wait is almost over! We are excited to announce that the 2024 ULC Innovations application cycle will open on Monday, June 17, 2024. Entries will be accepted until August 9, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
All active ULC member libraries can participate in the 2024 Innovations Initiative. A panel of judges will award one Top Innovator and one Honorable Mention for each of the 6 recognition categories. The Top Innovators in each category will receive one complimentary registration to the 2024 ULC Annual Leadership Forum, taking place in Philadelphia, PA, from October 23 to 25.
To prepare for your upcoming entries, please review the following materials for more information about Recognition Categories and submission prompts:
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Reminder: Help ULC Better Know Our Libraries | |
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The 2024 Library Insights Survey (LIS) is now open, and all ULC members are encouraged to participate. The data you provided last year demonstrated how libraries are strengthening operations and purposefully serving communities since the pandemic.
This year’s survey looks to collect information for the 2023 calendar year and budgetary details for the 2023 fiscal year. The LIS covers four categories: Attraction and Attendance, Location Experience and Use of Space, Programs and Service, and Staffing and Budget.
Survey data will be compiled and featured in the ULC Library Data Hive, an exclusive collection of interactive dashboards, charts and maps just for ULC members. We anticipate a Fall 2024 release and will also use aggregate data from the survey to inform a public report of our findings. Visit the LIS page on the ULC website to review questions in each category and to submit your response by July 3.
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SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT: Pride Edition! | |
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Anne Arundel County Public Library
"Anne Arundel County Public Library staff attended the Pride Parade in Annapolis over the weekend and had a colorful time 🌈"
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Las Vegas-Clark County Library District
"As part of our National #PrideMonth programming, learn what #intersex is, isn't, or might be from local parent & #SunriseLibrary's own Kelli Carlson! 🏳️🌈"
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Arlington Public Library
"Happy #Pride from your library. 🥰🏳️🌈 This June marks 25 years since #PrideMonth was first federally recognized, as well as the 50th anniversary of Library Director Diane Kresh’s career in libraries! "
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Pickering Public Library
"Celebrate Pride Month with a vibrant collection of books that celebrate diverse voices and experiences!"
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