This Week at ULC
Newsletter | June 30, 2021
OPEN TO ALL: ULC WEBINAR ON ANTI-RACISM
Anti-Racism Town Hall
Finding Our Way Forward Together: Advancing Libraries as Anti-Racist Leaders
July 14 | 1 p.m. ET

Equity is more than a desired outcome; it is a process. Fortunately, library leaders do not need to take on this journey alone. How can we learn from each other, build stronger ties and unite in collective action to move forward together as anti-racist leaders?

ULC invites you to join library leaders from across North America for a critical conversation with members of the ULC Anti-Racism action team on Wednesday, July 14 at 1 p.m. ET. Michelle Hamiel (Prince George’s County Memorial Library System), Karyn Prechtel-Altman (Pima County Public Library) and Roosevelt Weeks (Austin Public Library) will lead the discussion by offering insights from their libraries’ anti-racism journeys. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with these leaders and share their own approaches to creating opportunities and navigating challenges in pursuit of a more just and equitable society. 
Registration is free to ULC members and public libraries everywhere.

This webinar was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant LG-245172-OLS.
ULC LIBRARIES CELEBRATING PRIDE
Pride Community Wall
Libraries provide safe spaces, initiate important conversations and reach out to people from all backgrounds to help create a more diverse, understanding and welcoming world. As we close out Pride Month, we want to thank all of our ULC members for submitting images and stories showcasing your events and programming. View our "Pride Community Wall" to learn more about how our member libraries celebrated and honored LGBTQ+ individuals.
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT RESOURCES
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. 

ECF Application Filing Window Now Open
On Tuesday, June 29, FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced that libraries can now begin to file applications for the $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund. The first application filing window will be open for 45 days, during which applicants will be able to submit requests for funding for purchases to be made between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. Learn More >

Stay tuned to ULC communications for regular updates and please review the latest resources on ULC’s American Rescue Plan Act Resources web page.
MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
Ferguson Library
Meet ULC's Newest Member
Ferguson Library

ULC is thrilled to welcome Ferguson Library as the newest addition to our member community! Ferguson Library is dedicated to providing free and equal access to information, ideas, books and technology to educate, engage and enrich the Stamford, Conn. community.
Fine Free
ULC Members Go Fine Free
Allen County Public Library, Boston Public Library, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Ferguson Library, Hartford Public Library, Prince William Public Libraries

Public libraries across ULC’s membership continue to make the bold decision to waive overdue fines and late fees in an effort to ensure library access to all patrons. Read the linked announcements below to learn more about these libraries who are now fine free!

“We know that reading is the best way for kids to learn and stay engaged ... A library card is the most important school supply,” said Stephany Smith, Community Engagement Director. 

“The BPL is proud to join the growing number of public libraries who are abolishing late fines and ensuring maximum accessibility, especially at this time of greatest need among those who rely on our resources most,” said BPL president David Leonard.

“By eliminating the late or overdue fines for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, we create a Library where access is not based on ability to pay,” said Marcellus "MT" Turner, CEO and Chief Librarian. 

“In the end, you’re being punitive to people who have no control over some of the things that I do have control over,” said Ferguson President Alice Knapp.

“Fines send the indirect message that you are ‘irresponsible’ and ‘if you can't afford to pay, this space is not for you.’ Barriers such as this do not align with the values of public libraries,” said Leticia Cotto, Customer Experience Officer. 

“Our vision of being the hub connecting people to the transforming power of information is becoming a reality by taking steps like removing fines, offering mobile Wi-Fi hotspots ... and increasing both our physical and online collections,” said PWPL Director Deborah Wright.
Topeka Business
Pictured: TSCPL's Business and Career Librarian Meredith Snepp
New Business Resource Center Launched
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library

TSCPL recently opened a new resource center to help community members access information on local housing programs, job resources and legal forms. The new Business and Legal Resource Center offers packets of information with tips on how to start a business, organize finances and access health and legal forms for people who lack computer skills. "It was this whole idea of how do we get (these resources) into people's hands when there's a lack of transportation or lack of computer access or computer skills or the money to print them," said Business and Career Librarian Meredith Snepp.
NEW ON THE ULC BLOG
New America blog
3 Ways Libraries Can Make Media Mentorship Real
New America
In our latest blog post written by Lisa Guernsey from New America, find out how librarians can help promote media mentorship — the act of mentoring and providing tailored guidance to students and families in selecting, analyzing and using media to support learning.
SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION
2020 Innovations
Supporting Students After a Storm
Cedar Rapids Public Library
Last summer, a derecho tore through Cedar Rapids bringing hurricane force winds. This storm was the latest challenge facing schools already struggling with reopening for the fall amid rising COVID-19 cases. 

CRPL partnered with the local school district to act as an internet hub for students who did not have stable internet access. A limited number of students accessed internet safely and attended school remotely in a large meeting room at the Downtown Library.

More than 15,000 new library cards entered CRPL’s system and students throughout the city were able to utilize the library’s homework help services, databases and collection of materials.

Click here to learn more about this groundbreaking work.

Click here to review all 260 submissions to the 2020 Innovations Initiative.
NEW ON ULC'S MEMBER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
Explore new resources in the ULC Member Knowledge Exchange
San Francisco Public Library
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
ULC Communications and Marketing Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
July 14 | Noon-1 p.m. ET
Finding Our Way Forward Together: Advancing Libraries as Anti-Racist Leaders
Webinar
July 14 | 1-2 p.m. ET
ULC Education Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
July 27 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC CONGRATULATES LIBRARY LEADERS ELECTED TO ALA/PLA LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
Congratulations to the following library leaders for being elected to serve in ALA/PLA leadership roles!
Patty Wong
Patty Wong, Santa Monica Public Library
On June 29, Patricia “Patty” Wong began her term as the first Asian American to serve as president of ALA. Learn More >
Melanie Huggins
Melanie Huggins, Richland Library
On June 29, Executive Director Melanie Huggins began her term as PLA president. Learn More >
Candice Wing-yee Mack
Candice Wing-yee Mack, Los Angeles Public Library
Young Adult Services Administrator Candice Wing-yee Mack was elected to serve as PLA director-at-large. Learn More >
Charity Tyler
Charity Tyler, Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation
Executive Director Charity Tyler was elected to serve as the 2021-2022 United for Libraries president. Learn More >
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
ULC Annual Member Business Meeting
Video Highlights from ULC's Annual Member Business Meeting

Check out video clip highlights from our Annual Member Business Meeting where members heard a ‘State of the ULC Union’ from outgoing ULC Executive Board Chair Richard Reyes-Gavilan ULC President and CEO Susan Benton.