This Week at ULC
Newsletter | April 28, 2021
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MEET ULC'S NEWEST TEAM MEMBER |
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Tandra Turner
Director of Strategic Initiatives
ULC is thrilled to welcome Tandra Turner as ULC's new director of strategic initiatives. Tandra is passionate about equipping and empowering individuals, organizations and communities with the resources they need to be successful. Professionally, she has 15 years of experience leading and evaluating organizations with a social impact mission. Tandra started her career in Atlanta, Ga. where she worked for a nonprofit organization that provided services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Prior to joining ULC, she worked for a D.C.-based firm managing evaluation and technical assistance projects.
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AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT RESOURCES |
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ULC continues to follow the developments around the American Rescue Plan Act and potential funding opportunities for ULC member libraries and the communities we serve.
ULC Submits Comments to the FCC
On April 23, 2021, ULC submitted comments to the FCC on the implementation of the Emergency Connectivity Fund through the E-rate program. Building on ULC's Digital Equity Leadership Brief and action team meetings, as well as the ongoing discussions about ARPA funding through ULC Member Group calls, these comments highlight the essential role of public libraries in closing equity gaps for home internet access and urge the FCC to implement the ECF to allow for libraries to maximize their participation. Read the comments here.
Funds for Learning E-rate Applicant Survey
Funds for Learning is gathering feedback regarding the E-rate program from library officials with working knowledge of the program. The survey is open through May 15, 2021, with responses solicited to help shape the future of the E-rate program. Fill out the survey here.
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Launching a New Racial Equity Initiative
Howard County Library System
Working in partnership with local consultants Equity Matters, HCLS has launched a new initiative, Brave Voices, Brave Choices, inviting the community to share and reflect on personal experiences related to racism and discrimination through an innovative story collection approach called Sensemaking. Participants are encouraged through the program to look for patterns that represent systemic biases and oppressive constructs that support, promote and perpetuate racism. “We are acting on our commitment to move past statements and begin the work of creating the reality we want for all people,” said HCLS President & CEO Tonya Aikens.
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Introducing EPL's New Elder in Residence
Edmonton Public Library
Nôhkom Jo-Ann Saddleback has been named as EPL's Kêhtêyayah (Elder) in Residence, taking on the role of hosting weekly classes and programs centered on Indigenous knowledge and work to ensure that ceremony is an active part of the library system. People from all backgrounds are invited to come together to learn about Indigenous culture, protocol and processes. “As a highly regarded Elder, cultural educator and artist, who has provided tremendous guidance to EPL over the years, Elder Saddleback brings Indigenous wisdom, invaluable knowledge and lived experience that will guide and support EPL’s efforts to provide meaningful services and programming to our customers,” said EPL CEO Pilar Martinez.
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ULC Library Leaders Elected to PLA Leadership Positions
Cambridge Public Library, Los Angeles Public Library
Earlier this month, PLA announced the results of its 2021 election. Congratulations to the following ULC member library leaders for being elected to serve in PLA leadership roles.
- Dr. Maria Taesil Hudson McCauley (Director of Libraries, Cambridge Public Library) will serve as PLA President.
- Candice Wing-yee Mack (Administrator, Young Adult Services, Los Angeles Public Library) will serve as PLA Director-at-Large.
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DIGITAL NAVIGATORS UPDATE |
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ULC Webinar Now Available for Viewing
Salt Lake City Public Library, Multnomah County Library, National Digital Inclusion Alliance
The Connecting Communities with Teleservices: Learning from the Digital Navigators webinar is now available for viewing on the ULC's Member Knowledge Exchange. Attendees of this webinar joined leaders from Salt Lake City Public Library, Multnomah County Library and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance to learn how libraries across the U.S. are using the “Digital Navigators” model of phone-based services to build digital equity across a wide range of issues. Participants heard from one of SLCPL’s Digital Navigators and learned about what makes this model unique and successful, how libraries are adopting the framework and how they can learn from this project and apply its tools to strengthen their library’s work.
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Libraries on the Front Line of the COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
Prince George's County Memorial Library System, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Johnson County Public Library
Discover how Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Cuyahoga County Public Library and Johnson County Public Library have established innovative partnerships and outreach efforts to help serve their communities on the front line of their local vaccine rollout.
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Thinking Beyond Books to Address the Global Climate Crisis
Curtis Memorial Library
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Librarians at Curtis Memorial Library are working diligently to engage their community in programs and conversations that address global climate issues. CML librarians have dedicated many hours to listening to their community and thinking beyond books to support teams working to make lives better for all. CML partners with local groups like the Citizen's Climate Lobby, SNAP-Ed and the Merrymeeting Gleaners to provide space and access to different audiences and displays.
Programming includes scrap craft classes that teach patrons how to use common leftovers and “junk” (such as paper, paint, metal cans, etc.) to make beautiful art and jewelry, an “Eat Our Yards” series that teaches attendees ways to create a yard filled with edible food instead of ornamental grass and a film discussion group that highlights how immigration, diversity, conflict, climate change and justice are all interrelated.
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NEW ON ULC'S MEMBER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE |
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Columbus Metropolitan Library
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ULC Development Professionals
Member Group Conference Call
April 28 | 3-4 p.m. ET
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ULC Education Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
May 18 | 2-3 p.m. ET
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ULC Communications and Marketing Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
May 19 | Noon-1 p.m. ET
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ULC Leadership Brief: Anti-Racist Executive Leadership for Public Libraries
Informed by the expert guidance of ULC’s Anti-Racism action team, our latest Leadership Brief sponsored by Gale, a Cengage Company, calls on all library executives to actively dismantle structural racism in their own library systems.
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