This Week at ULC | August 5, 2020

This Week at ULC

Newsletter | August 5, 2020

GOING FORWARD FROM THE PANDEMIC

Check out our new web pages at urbanlibraries.org for the latest updates on our Going Forward from the Pandemic initiative. Access helpful resources on each of the team's focus areas and learn more about the 90 ULC library leaders who make up our six action teams.

This week, our Race and Social Equity and Digital Inclusion action teams are meeting to continue their progress on developing strategies and recommendations for libraries to implement during the pandemic.

View Initiative Page

REALM UPDATE

Battelle’s laboratory testing continues with the announcement of a fourth round of testing, which began on July 31. Five items were selected to examine the length of time the COVID-19 virus may live on commonly handled library materials. Four materials from the first round will be tested again in a new way alongside one new material. The items include:

Materials studied in Round 1, but in a stacked configuration:

DVD/CD case (polypropylene)
Hardcover book cover (buckram cloth)
Softcover (trade paperback) book cover
Plastic protective cover (biaxially oriented polyester film)

Material commonly used in museums and archives for storage and shipping:

Expanded polyethylene foam (1-in. thickness)

The results of the fourth round of testing are expected to be released in mid-September. To receive the latest news on this project, please sign up for the REALM email update newsletter. You may also submit questions about the project via this online form.

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FACES ON THE FRONT LINE

This week, our "Faces on the Front Line" feature on our coronavirus resource page highlights the great work of staff members from Kansas City Public Library, Howard County Library System, Berkeley Public Library, Madison Public Library, Jefferson County Public Library, San Diego Public Library, Miami-Dade Public Library System and The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

We encourage you to submit any images or stories from your team's work on the front line of COVID-19 to media@urbanlibraries.org.

View Resource Page

MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP

Staff at the new Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library

Opening a New Branch During the Pandemic

Anne Arundel County Public Library

Earlier this month, AACPL celebrated the grand opening of the new Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library, a 32,500 square foot facility named after the long-time Maryland Speaker of the House of Delegates. This was the first new construction in 16 years in Anne Arundel County.

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Distributing Wi-Fi Hotspots to Bridge the Digital Divide

Richland Library

In partnership with Columbia Housing, Richland Library launched a new “Home-Spot initiative” aimed at circulating 65 Wi-Fi hotspots over the next year to 26 resident communities across the county. "Richland Library wants to eradicate service gaps and increase the overall livability in our community," said Chief Program and Innovation Officer Tony Tallent.

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Howard County and Lexington Go Fine Free

Howard County Library System, Lexington Public Library

Two additional libraries join the ranks of ULC libraries who have gone fine free! Read the following linked announcements to learn more about the libraries' policy change to ensure equitable access to information for all community members.

Howard County Library System

HCLS President and CEO Tonya Aikens said, "Going fine free is aligned with our commitment to equity and positions us to more fully live our mission of providing high quality public education for all Howard County residents."

Lexington Public Library

Executive Director Heather Dieffenbach said, “We know that many in our community are facing unemployment and other financial difficulties as a result of the global pandemic, and we don’t want fines to be a barrier for those who need our services the most.”

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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES HIGHLIGHTS ESSENTIAL ROLE OF LIBRARIES

LA County Library, St. Louis County Library, Douglas County Libraries, Pima County Public Library, Pierce County Library System

ULC libraries have adapted to the current environment in new and innovative ways, helping people gain vital access to information and necessary services. Read our recently published article on page 14 of this week’s NACo CountyNews to learn how LA County Library, St. Louis County Library, Douglas County Libraries, Pima County Public Library and Pierce County Library System are innovating and rapidly adapting during the COVID-19 crisis to support county relief and recovery efforts.