This Week at ULC
Newsletter | July 15, 2020
REALM UPDATE
In the  latest update  f rom the REALM Project, it was announced that Battelle has begun testing a third round of materials. Results from this round of testing are expected within four weeks. The items include:

  • DVD/CD
  • Talking book, USB cassettes
  • Acryllic
  • Storage bags (flexible plastic)
  • Storage containers (rigid plastic)

The second round of testing is still in progress, with results expected later this month. To receive the latest news on this project, please sign up for the   REALM email update newsletter .
GOING FORWARD FROM THE PANDEMIC
This week, our "Faces on the Front Line" feature on our coronavirus resource page highlights the great work of staff members from Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, St. Louis County Library, Mississauga Library, Madison Public Library, New Haven Free Public Library and Anne Arundel County Public Library.

ULC’s Partnering with Schools and Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs action teams met this week to continue their progress on identifying the greatest challenges and opportunities for libraries during the pandemic. ULC will soon launch new web pages at urbanlibraries.org with resources recommended by action teams, as well as biographical information about the members and recent updates from their discussions.
MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
I Ring the Bell
Celebrating the 19th Amendment with a New Campaign
Nashville Public Library

When the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote was ratified in Nashville nearly 100 years ago, cities rang bells in celebration — but Nashville stayed quiet. NPL is breaking this historic silence now by launching a new "Ring the Bell" campaign asking community leaders across the city to ring a bell for a cause they care deeply about.
Library Welcomes New Director
Kansas City Public Library

John Herron began his new role earlier this month, succeeding new IMLS Director R. Crosby Kemper III. “I look forward to building on the library’s tradition of award-winning public programming and impressive digital scholarship just as I hope to use library resources to deliver the important social services needed by our community,” said Herron.
Student OneCard Program Expands Access to Resources
Sonoma County Library

Nearly 50,000 area public school students now have access to Sonoma County Library resources, thanks to the library’s expansion of its Student OneCard partnership. “School leaders countywide are seeing, now more than ever, the power of a Sonoma County Library account for their students and the training we provide to their educators," said Sonoma County Library Education Initiatives Librarian Rachel Icaza.
Fine Free
Pima County Goes Fine Free
Pima County Public Library

Knowing that overdue fines were a barrier to some patrons, Pima County Public Library announced it was going fine free as of July 1. " We want everyone to use and feel welcome in the Library, regardless of any fines they've incurred. This is just one of the ways we can support our community, and we look forward to welcoming back many customers who may have stepped away from the Library for a while," said Library Director Amber Mathewson.
CONSIDER YOUR SENSES IN A NEW
COVID-19 LIBRARY ENVIRONMENT
MSR Design Blog Post
MSR Design

For public libraries, ensuring healthy public, private and staff spaces in both the short- and long-term is vital. In our latest ULC blog post, MSR Design’s Traci Engel Lesneski outlines how considering our senses in physical library spaces will be key to supporting our health and well-being.
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
ULC Directors
Member Group Conference Call
July 16 | 4-5 p.m. ET
ULC Education Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
July 21 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC Deputy Directors
Member Group Conference Call
July 22 | Noon-1 p.m. ET
ULC Collections Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
July 23 | 4-4:30 p.m. ET
ULC Communications and Marketing Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
July 29 | Noon-1 p.m. ET
ULC KNOWLEDGE CENTER
CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES
New Haven Free Public Library
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
Urban Libraries Council on Twitter

Thanks to Bibliothèque de Beaumont Library for being the latest library to sign our Statement on Race and Social Equity. Find out how 177 public libraries are actively working to foster a more just and inclusive world.

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