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This Week at ULC

Newsletter | January 11, 2023

RSVP: ULC'S SUMMER LEARNING BOOT CAMP

As part of the Building Equity: Amplify Summer Learning initiative, ULC invites members to participate in an informational boot camp series designed to support libraries as they work to amplify equity in summer learning. See full session descriptions and speakers by visiting the registration pages. Please reach out to Katie Sullivan with any questions.

Boot Camp #1: Outreach Through an Equity Lens

Thursday, January 19 at 2 p.m. ET.

Register

Boot Camp #2: Working with Middle School Students

Thursday, February 16 at 2 p.m. ET

Register

Boot Camp #3: STEM Planning in Summer

Thursday, March 16 at 2 p.m. ET

Register

Boot Camp #4: Evaluating Summer Programs

Thursday, April 20 at 2 p.m. ET

Register

Join 45+ libraries and supporting organizations by signing on to the Statement on Summer Learning. ULC encourages all members to read the Statement and add their library to the growing list of supporters.

SIGN THE STATEMENT

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Pilar Martinez Named 2023 Edifier by EDify

Edmonton Public Library


ULC Board Member-At-Large and Edmonton Public Library CEO Pilar Martinez has been named a 2023 Edifier from EDify! The Edifier Awards honor businesses, charitable organizations and individuals for their work in making Edmonton a great place to call home. Martinez was recognized as a "Trailblazer" for her work at EPL in the Jan/Feb issue of EDify — and is even featured on the cover. Congratulations, Pilar!

READ MORE
MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP

Meet ULC's Newest Members

Live Oak Public Libraries and Denver Public Library


We are so excited to announce the addition of Live Oak Public Libraries and Denver Public Library into the ULC member base. Live Oak Public Libraries is a system of 16 library locations serving three counties in southeast Georgia, and Denver Public Library serves the city and county of Denver, Colorado with 26 library branches.

Learn More

Expanding Culinary and STEM Programming

Thanks to New Grants

The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County


The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is bringing new cooking and STEM programming to the public thanks to recent grant awards totaling $330,000. One grant — awarded through the Ohio Department of Education's Libraries Accelerating Learning Program — will fund a healthy cooking curriculum and two mobile kitchen carts. The First Lego League Grant will support 2nd through 4th graders explore the fundamentals of engineering with Legos.

Learn More

La Porte County Public Library Goes Fine Free

La Porte County Public Library


La Porte County Public Library in Indiana is joining the Fine Free movement! Starting January 9, the library eliminated all daily overdue fines, noting that in 2022 overdue fines and fees accounted for less than 1% of the library's revenue. By getting rid of overdue fees, LPCPL hopes to give everyone in the county access to opportunities, resources and services without fear of stigma. To find out more about other libraries that went fine free, see ULC's Fine Free Map.

Learn More

WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH ULC

Our ULC Member Job Board is regularly updated as we learn of new positions that are open at our member libraries. Once you are logged into your ULC member account, you can access the Job Board link on the left side under “Member Hub.” And, if you have a job posting at your library, please email info@urbanlibraries.org and we will gladly add it to the Job Board!


The latest job postings:

  • Library Manager - Youth Services - Dakota County Library
  • Community Technology Center Supervisor - Denver Public Library
  • PT Youth Librarian - Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library

ULC's Member Knowledge Exchange makes it easy for our members to build relationships and share transformative tools and ideas with ULC library leaders across North America. If you have a resource you'd like to share with other member libraries, please email info@urbanlibraries.org.


The latest resources:

JOIN A ULC ACTION TEAM

ULC action teams are comprised of over 60 total leaders from ULC libraries, who are focused on identifying immediate ways that all libraries can overcome key challenges in the COVID-19 era. Use the links below to learn more about the work of these teams.

Anti-Racism Action Team

ULC's Anti-Racism action team works together to help library leaders understand institutional racism in libraries and provide resources to help develop anti-racist policies If you are interested in joining this action team, please contact Michelle Hamiel, Director of Racial Equity and Community Impact, mhamiel@urbanlibraries.org.

Learn More

Digital Equity Action Team

ULC's Digital Equity action team works to provide tools and resources that will help libraries enlarge their footprint in their digital ecosystems and bridge the digital divide. If you are interested in joining this action team, please contact Michelle Hamiel, Director of Racial Equity and Community Impact, mhamiel@urbanlibraries.org.

Learn More

Partnering with Schools Action Team

The Partnering with Schools action team focuses on the critical nature of partnering with schools to support the holistic education of children and youth in our communities. If you are interested in joining this action team, please contact Shari Henry, Director of Democracy and Community Impact, shenry@urbanlibraries.org.

Learn More

Economic Opportunity Action Team

The Economic Opportunity action team evaluates trends and topics in the world of entrepreneurship, and economic and workforce development, looking for best practices among libraries and how to apply them. If you are interested in joining this action team, please contact Shari Henry, Director of Democracy and Community Impact, shenry@urbanlibraries.org.

Learn More
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS

ULC Analytics and Tech Leaders Call

Member Group Call

January 12 | 2-3 p.m. ET

RSVP Now

ULC Collections Leaders Call

Member Group Call

January 12 | 3-4 p.m. ET

RSVP Now

ULC Communications and Marketing Leaders Call

Member Group Call

January 18 | 3-4 p.m. ET

RSVP Now

Outreach Through an Equity Lens

Summer Learning Boot Camp #1

January 19 | 2-3 p.m. ET

RSVP Now

ULC Deputy Directors Call

Member Group Call

January 23 | 4-5 p.m. ET

RSVP Now

ULC Customer Experience Leaders Call

Member Group Call

January 30 | 3-4 p.m. ET

RSVP Now

ALA 2023 LIBRARY LEARNING EXPERIENCE

At ALA'S LibLearnX, library professionals at all levels can take part in a conference experience that will provide ultimate learning benefits. Attendees will participate in hands-on workshops, bite-size sessions, and other formats designed to match preferred learning styles with an emphasis on experiential learning. Explore the LibLearnX website for session information, including:


  • "Innovating to Bridge the Digital Divide" - Learn how one library system is helping bridge the digital divide and connect more people with library resources through this innovative solar bench project. Led by Pioneer Library System's Kelly Sitzman, Lisa Wells and Janice Bailey.


  • "How to Start Conversations about Justice and Equity" - This workshop will demonstrate how to use self-reflection, storytelling, and deep listening to nurture the trust necessary to have honest conversations about equity and social justice. Led by Grand Rapids Public Library's Jessica Bratt and Freedom Lifted's Mia Henry.


  • "Not Your Typical Summer Camp: Engaging Teens in Responsible and Responsive Advocacy" - Learn more about Prince George's County Memorial Library System's Social Justice Camp and talk about the importance of providing a platform for your teens' passions. Led by PGCMLS's Isaiah West and Kathryn Herberger, and Howard County Library System's Kelsey Hughes.


  • ...and MANY more!


Visit the LibLearnX program website for additional sessions led by ULC library members!

LEARN MORE

NOW TRENDING ON SOCIAL

Ferguson Library


The city of Stamford, CT just declared itself a Book Sanctuary, meaning the city and library are committed to stand together against censorship.

See the IG Post

Brooklyn Public Library


The Books Unbanned team at the Brooklyn Public Library were just named the Librarians of the Year by Library Journal.

Read the Tweet

Olathe Public Library


Check out this kind note from a "library-goer" that the Olathe Public Library staff found left behind.

Read the Tweet

Miami-Dade Public

Library System


See an example of Miami-Dade Public Library's Digital Collections with this photo from 1927 Miami!

See the IG Post

Questions? Want to Submit a Story?


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

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