This Week at ULC
Newsletter | February 3, 2021
ULC CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Black History Month 2021
In celebration of Black History Month this February, libraries across the U.S. and Canada are engaging their communities in activities and critical conversations about Black history and culture, as well as 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 through our newsletter, blog and social media. Below are just a few of the many amazing stories our members have shared so far:

  • Grand Rapids Public Library (Mich.) is offering Black History Month craft kits, which include age-appropriate crafts for toddlers and kids, as well as information to help caregivers talk about Black History with their children.

  • Central Arkansas Library System (Ark.) is hosting a month-long Black Lives Matter Documentary Film Series offering free screenings of films such as 13th and The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson.


  • Palm Beach County Library System (Fla.) is engaging young learners with a special "Black Excellence in Science" program, which will include activities such as creating DNA out of candy as well as chatting with Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, an immunologist and researcher who helped make the COVID-19 vaccine possible.

  • Kansas City Public Library (Mo.) collaborated with Kansas City’s Local Investment Commission, the Black Archives of Mid-America and the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center to develop a new booklet featuring more than 70 Black Kansas Citians who helped shape the community's Black History, along with essays from Black leaders in the community today.
  • Palm Beach County Library System
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.
MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
Our Stories Book Club
Launching a New Indigenous Book Club
Ottawa Public Library

Ottawa Public Library has partnered with the Indigenous Theatre at the National Arts Centre to launch Our Stories: Indigenous Book Club which will run through June 2021. The new monthly series will highlight recently published works of poetry, fiction, memoirs and plays from Indigenous authors.
Washington Post image
Offering Vital Community Support During the Pandemic
Arlington Public Library, DC Public Library, Fairfax County Public Library, Montgomery County Public Libraries, Prince George's County Memorial Library System

D.C. metro area public libraries have been a lifeline to residents during the past 11 months of the pandemic.The Washington Post recently spotlighted five ULC member libraries, providing insight on their role as community hubs offering valuable resources and services to those in need.
New ULC Leaders 2021
ULC Member Libraries Welcome New Leaders
Baltimore County Public Library, Chicago Public Library, Mississauga Library

ULC welcomes and congratulates the following library leaders for taking new leadership roles at our member libraries.

Director Sonia Alcántara-Antoine comes to Baltimore County Public Library after serving as director of libraries and information services of Newport News Public Library since 2017.

Commissioner Chris Brown brings to his new role more than 13 years of experience working in multi-branch public library systems. 

Director Rona O’Banion has 18 years of experience serving as CEO of three Ontario library systems – Wainfleet Township Public Library, Brock Township Public Library and for the past nine years at King Township Public Library.
SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION
ULC 2020 Innovations
Climate of Art: Reimagine the Environment
Miami-Dade Public Library System
Miami-Dade Public Library System designed the Climate of Art program to inspire library patrons to create artwork reflecting the impact of human populations on the earth. As a result, the program instilled pride and leadership in patrons whose artwork was displayed in a culminating exhibit.

Click here to learn more about this groundbreaking work, which earned Miami-Dade Public Library System a Top Innovator distinction for the 2020 ULC Innovations Initiative. 

Click here to review all 260 submissions to the 2020 Innovations Initiative.
Climate of Art
Tips from the Innovators

  • Use art exhibits as a way for attendees to learn about tough issues. Bring these problems to the forefront using art as a visual trigger to inspire a call to action.

  • Approach difficult topics with facts rather than emotion. Ask community organizations to present informational workshops that support and explain the facts.

  • As a leader, you have to be willing to listen to your students. Teach critical thinking and allow students to design solutions to the problems in their own way.
NEW ULC BLOG: EQUITY LEADERS ROUNDTABLE
Amandeep S. Kochar, Kelvin Watson
Q&A with Amandeep S. Kochar and Kelvin Watson
Baker & Taylor, Broward County Library

Building on the Beyond Allyship series and demonstrating the organization's continued commitment to this work, Baker & Taylor facilitated a roundtable discussion between Baker & Taylor Executive Vice President and General Manager Amandeep S. Kochar and Broward County Library Director Kelvin Watson. Read our latest blog post to learn insights from both on the evolving role of public libraries as essential race and social equity leaders, and how Baker & Taylor and BCL are working individually and together to elevate that role.
NEW ON ULC'S MEMBER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
All-New Member Knowledge Exchange
Jacksonville Public Library
Vaughan Public Libraries
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
ULC Deputy Directors
Member Group Conference Call
February 3 | 3-4 p.m. ET
ULC Chief Financial Officers
Member Group Conference Call
February 9 | 3-4 p.m. ET
ULC Education Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
February 16 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC Communications and Marketing Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
February 17 | Noon-1 p.m. ET
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
190 Libraries Sign RSE Statement
Allen County Public Library
Thanks to Allen County Public Library for being the latest library to sign our Statement on Race and Social Equity! Find out how 190 public libraries are actively working to foster a more just and inclusive world.

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