This Week at ULC
Newsletter | October 7, 2020
BEYOND ALLYSHIP CONVERSATION SERIES STARTS OCTOBER 15
Beyond Allyship Conversation Series
Join ULC members as we co-create strategies for strengthening race and social equity leadership during ULC's Beyond Allyship Conversation Series, held virtually this fall and through early 2021.

What does going Beyond Allyship mean? 
Standing as an “ally” — a vocal supporter, open ear and continuous learner — in the fight for race and social equity is vital, but it is only the first step for leaders who are serious about creating change. ULC library leaders set the tone and model expectations for entire library systems and communities, and we have a responsibility to go beyond allyship and take on an active, lifelong and accountable leadership role as equity champions.

How can I join this ULC Conversation Series?
This ULC Conversation Series will be reminiscent of the annual in-person ULC Forum you've come to love. Registration for ULC's Beyond Allyship Conversation Series is free for members.
CREATING SPACE FOR RACIAL HEALING OCTOBER 15
john a. powell 10/15
A Conversation with Professor john a. powell
ULC's Beyond Allyship Conversation Series

Systemic racism injures all of us — not just those who are being “othered” but also those who perpetuate that “othering.” These painful injuries happen on many levels, including the individual, structural and societal spheres — so healing must also happen on many levels. But, we can’t truly heal these deep wounds while racialized violence and discrimination are still being perpetuated.

Please join ULC library leaders on October 15 for a critical conversation with professor john a. powell, one of the world’s most important, thoughtful scholars on civil and human rights. Professor powell will lead us in a vital discussion about the systemic racism embedded in the spaces we inhabit as leaders, library professionals and individuals, including how we can begin to co-create alternative spaces to enable real healing.
FACES ON THE FRONT LINE
This week, our "Faces on the Front Line" photo series highlights the great work of staff members from
Saint Paul Public Library, Regina Public Library, Toledo Lucas County Public Library, Calgary Public Library, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Alameda County Library, Grand Rapids Public Library and Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library. 

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.
MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
SFPL Bookmobile
Partnering with Local Schools to Provide Library Access
San Francisco Public Library

This week, SFPL and San Francisco Unified School District announced the launch of SFPL To Go-Go, a weekly curbside pick-up service. Every Wednesday, patrons can drop off materials and pick up holds at library bookmobiles stationed at three city schools. “We are thrilled that our bookmobiles will be hitting the road again to bring library service to the Mission, Bayview and Ocean View neighborhoods,” said Chief of Community Programs & Partnerships Michelle Jeffers. 
CCPL Pods
Offering Socially Distanced Learning Pods for Patrons
Chesterfield County Public Library

Patrons in Chesterfield County can now safely study inside CCPL locations using the library’s new learning pods, specifically designed for virtual learners. The small individual study rooms, group learning areas and instruction spaces were created to support independent studying, team assignments, adult literacy and teleworking. 
Broward County Kelvin Watson
Kelvin Watson Named Community Hero
Broward County Library

Congratulations to Broward County Library Director Kelvin Watson for being selected as one of 10 local and national community heroes featured in the new deck of Heroes Trading Cards 2021 series. The collection of full-color trading cards was released by nonprofit foundation Positivity Pays, with each card individually created by artist/illustrator CaloArt (Carlos Ampudia). "Leading by example is one of the best ways to serve our community, and Positivity Pays has given me an amazing platform to do so,” said Watson.
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
ULC Directors
Member Group Conference Call
October 8 | 4-5 p.m. ET
ULC CFOs
Member Group Conference Call
October 13 | 4-5 p.m. ET
ULC Deputy Directors
Member Group Conference Call
October 14 | 4-5 p.m. ET
Creating Space for Racial Healing
A Conversation with john a. powell
October 15 | 2-3:15 p.m. ET
ULC HR Professionals
Member Group Conference Call
October 19 | 1-2 p.m. ET
ULC Education Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
October 20 | 2-3 p.m. ET
SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR IMLS NATIONAL MEDAL FOR MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICE
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is now accepting nominations for the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, with submissions due by Monday, November 2. Since 1994, IMLS has presented the nation’s highest honor awarded to libraries and museums for service to their communities.  
KEY RESOURCES ON THE ULC MEMBER
KNOWLEDGE CENTER
Anchorage Public Library
On October 21, ULC will launch a leveled-up version of our member website. This new platform will make it even easier for you to build relationships and share tools and ideas with library leaders across North America. 
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHTS
Celebrate Digital Inclusion Week

With the COVID-19 pandemic shining a light on the digital divide in new ways, Digital Inclusion Week is more relevant than ever.

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Please Note: The ULC office will be closed on October 12 in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day.