This Week at ULC
Newsletter | January 19, 2022
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NEW ULC RESOURCE: BUSINESS VALUE CALCULATOR |
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On Tuesday, January 18, ULC launched our newest member resource — the Business Value Calculator — developed specifically for public libraries to measure, quantify and communicate the impact of their business services to their local communities. Over the past two months, ULC piloted the new tool with 10 member libraries, and the savings figures reported topped millions of dollars for a year of business services. These figures are sizable even as several library systems were forced to redesign service during the COVID-19 pandemic, losing the ability to offer co-working services or structured in-person programming and classes.
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During this week's launch webinar, St. Louis County Library’s Reference Manager Jennifer Gibson shared how using the new tool enabled them to better understand and represent the library’s depth of resources and services – and the related value – to those who were unaware of the library’s work as a hub for entrepreneurs and businesses. ULC’s Senior Program Manager Betsey Suchanic and tool developer led a hands-on tutorial for attendees. |
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CELEBRATE ULC'S TOP INNOVATORS |
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Friday, January 21 | 2 p.m. ET
On Friday, January 21, come cheer on your peers and pals during the annual ULC Innovations Celebration! This year’s virtual program will showcase the year’s Top Innovators and Honorable Mentions with special video highlights, we will walk down memory lane to look at past winners and celebrations, and we will hear from Innovations Celebration supporter, Pamela Smith, of Ingram Content Group along with ULC’s President and CEO, Susan Benton.
Join us as we recognize and support the best and brightest library Innovations of 2021! Register for your seat today!
This live virtual event is FREE to attend. Registration is required.
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We give a special thanks to Ingram Content Group for sponsoring the 2021 ULC Innovations Celebration and providing ULC members with new and useful tools for the field. |
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Celebrating 30 Years of Reader's Choice
Salt Lake County Library
Starting in 1992, Salt Lake County Library staff have put together an outstanding list of nominees from all book genres for patrons to vote on their favorites. Journey back in time to discover what was popular over the decades by visiting the library’s website. Reader’s Choice books from the past 30 years are now available for all patrons in a variety of formats.
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Broadening The Mission of Libraries in Canada
Kitchener Public Library, Toronto Public Library
In a recent article published in The Globe and Mail, ULC member libraries in Canada were featured in a story showcasing the importance of libraries during the pandemic.
“Many of us across the country saw our registration numbers go up quite substantially,” said Mary Chevreau, chair of the Canadian Urban Libraries Council and chief executive officer of the Kitchener Public Library. “We’ve seen people back who … haven’t been in a library since they were kids.”
“There aren’t many public spaces left for people, and the public library welcomes everyone into our branches without judgment,” said Toronto Public Library City Librarian Vickery Bowles. “Often times it is to connect with others and do school work or whatever, but sometimes it’s just because it’s a public space where they are safe and where they can be alone together with other people.”
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Bringing Mobile Medical Services to Patrons
Richmond Public Library
Richmond Public Library recently partnered with Daily Planet Health Services to bring mobile medical services to library visitors. The medical unit will visit several branches of the library on a monthly basis, offering walk-up comprehensive health services that don’t require an appointment.
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BUILDING EQUITY: AMPLIFY SUMMER LEARNING COHORT ANNOUNCED |
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Congratulations to the 22 libraries who have been selected as members of ULC’s new Building Equity: Amplify Summer Learning cohort! The new ULC initiative kicks off later this month to support engaging learning opportunities for middle school youth in summertime who have historically been excluded from STEM opportunities (e.g., based on race, income, gender, ability). Building on the success of ULC’s Partners for Middle School STEM initiative and the hard work of our first learning cohort libraries, the goal of Building Equity: Amplify Summer Learning is to position libraries as critical community anchors for learning, accelerate the public library’s role in summer and reinforce the library as a place in the community for equity and inclusion.
Funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and with the support of our partners, the National Summer Learning Association and the National Recreation and Park Association, ULC and its strategic partners will work with the learning cohort to design and implement quality STEM summer programming.
The following libraries will be part of the cohort:
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Algona Public Library, Algona, Iowa
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Boise Public Library, Boise, Idaho
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Boston Public Library, Boston, Mass.
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Cedar Rapids Public Library, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
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Central Arkansas Library System, Little Rock, Ark
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Cincinnati & Hamilton Public Library, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Edmonton Public Library, Edmonton, Atla.
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Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, Md.
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Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library, Evansville, Ind.
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Halifax Public Libraries, Dartmouth, N.S.
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Harris County Public Library, Houston, Texas
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Jersey City Free Public Library, Jersey City, N.J.
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La Porte County Public Library, La Porte, Ind.
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Lexington Public Library, Lexington, Ky.
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Milton Public Library, Milton, Ont.
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Orange County Library System, Orlando, Fla.
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Pima County Public Library, Tucson, Ariz.
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Portland Public Library, Portland, Maine
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Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Youngstown, Ohio
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San Mateo County Libraries, San Mateo, Calif.
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Schaumburg Township District Library, Schaumburg, Ill.
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Scottsdale Public Library, Scottsdale, Ariz.
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ULC Innovations Celebration
Webinar
January 21 | 2-3 p.m. ET
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ULC EDI Officers
Member Group Call
January 27 | 2-3 p.m. ET
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ULC HR Professionals
Member Group Call
February 7 | 3-4 p.m. ET
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NEW RESOURCES ON ULC'S MEMBER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE |
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Roles and Responsibilities of the Board and Trustees
Ottawa Public Library
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Public Presentation Proposal Form
Jefferson County Public Library
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Job Description: Library Services Manager
Contra Costa County Library
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ULC's Executive Board Chair, member of the ULC Anti-Racism Action Team and vice president for diversity, equity and Inclusion and professor of communication at University of the Pacific Dr. Mary J. Wardell-Ghirarduzzi pens article, "Recommit to discover, rediscover and learn from Dr. King." |
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We are looking for talented professionals to join our ULC team!
ULC’s Communications Manager will help our team implement communications and outreach efforts with internal and external stakeholders. The communications manager will work closely with ULC’s senior leadership team to raise the profile of how public libraries are addressing critical issues in local communities. Click here to apply >.
ULC’s National Program Manager will help collaborate on initiatives across ULC’s strategic focus areas to help public libraries lead education, strengthen digital equity and build healthy, sustainable communities through innovation. Click here to apply >.
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