This Week at ULC
Newsletter | February 2, 2022
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ULC CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH |
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In celebration of Black History Month this February, public libraries across the U.S. and Canada are engaging their communities in activities and critical conversations about Black history and culture, and shedding light on the structural racism and bias that is deeply embedded in our societies.
ULC is honored to join this celebration all month by highlighting member library voices and work. Below are just a few of the many amazing stories our members are sharing so far:
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Arlington Public Library is celebrating Black History Month with a series of programs that celebrate the history and culture of African Americans, with programs including a panel discussion regarding STEM careers with Black professionals.
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Central Arkansas Library System is holding historical discussions in honor of Black History Month, including Braver Angels: Arkansas Table Talk, Legacies & Lunch: "Free People of Color in the South" and CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas Presents: Melissa Janczewski Jones.
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Chicago Public Library is celebrating Black History Month by honoring this year’s theme of Black Mental Health and Physical Wellness with special virtual classes including Cancer Disparities in Minority Communities and How Mental and Physical Health Affects our Hair Growth with Crystal Ross
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Dayton Metro Library is offering cinematic screenings throughout February in celebration of Black History Month, including I Am Not Your Negro: James Baldwin and Race in America, Maya Angelou: And I Still Rise and Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People.
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Pima County Public Library’s LGBTQ+ Services Committee is hosting Jessica P. Pryde in their Virtual Author Talk Series where she will talk about her new book, Black Love Matters: Real Talk on Romance, Being Seen, and Happily Ever Afters.
We look forward to sharing more highlights all month long! If you have suggested articles, blog posts or photos showcasing your events/programming, please be sure to send them to media@urbanlibraries.org.
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ULC WEBINAR ON ANTI-RACISM |
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Finding Our Way Forward Together: Libraries Taking Action as Anti-Racist Leaders
February 8 | 2 p.m. ET
There is no shortcut or easy solution for ensuring racial justice in our communities. All library leaders must own the challenge and impact of enduring racism, acknowledge their own biases and use their leadership to dismantle structural racism.
ULC presents the second convening of Finding Our Way Forward Together: Advancing Libraries as Anti-Racist Leaders series. This virtual event continues the vital conversation about the steps public libraries are taking to create equitable and inclusive institutions and serves as a reminder that libraries do not have to travel this journey alone. They can learn from one another, building stronger ties and uniting in collective action to move forward together as anti-racist leaders.
We invite you to join library leaders from across North America for this critical conversation with CEOs and members of the ULC Anti-Racism action team on Tuesday, February 8 at 2 p.m. ET. Featured panelists include Jennie Pu (Director, Hoboken Public Library), Pamela McCarter (Equity Initiative Leader/Library Outreach Specialist, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library) and Alison McKee (County Librarian, Contra Costa County Library), who will lead the discussion and share insights from their libraries’ anti-racism journeys. Participants will engage with these leaders and learn key approaches to creating opportunities and navigating challenges in pursuit of a more just and equitable society.
Registration is free for ULC members.
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CELEBRATE ULC'S TOP INNOVATORS |
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Our 2021 ULC Innovations Celebration honoring top public library innovators was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who attended and congratulations to all of our ULC member libraries who submitted the most diverse entries yet.
Check out our 2021 Innovations recap blog to relive the celebration and learn more about all of the amazing submissions this year!
- Rewatch the Virtual Celebration
- Learn more about the Top Innovators and Honorable Mentions by viewing our recently published Innovations Brochure, with special quotes from library leaders
- Get an inside look at the impact of this year's innovations with special video highlights created by our member libraries
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Join Our Newest ULC Member Group
Social Workers and Public Safety Staff
ULC is excited to announce the formation of a new Member Group dedicated to Social Workers and Public Safety Staff. Members of this group will discuss the internal/external opportunities and challenges related to social work, public safety and operations. To join this Member Group, please email ULC Director of Community Engagement Colleen Morsli at cmorsli@urbanlibraries.org.
Staff in member libraries are encouraged to join ULC Member Groups to connect with their peers and share challenges, concerns, insights and innovations. These members-only groups are a hallmark of ULC’s commitment to facilitating the exchange of ideas and programs between leading libraries across North America.
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Promoting Positive Health in the Community
Mid-Continent Public Library
Mid-Continent Public Library recently announced their launch of wellness kits as part of their health-focused “Access Wellness” initiative. The kits include blood pressure cuffs, pulse oximeters, thermometers, digital scales and a directory of free or low-cost healthcare resources within the area.
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Cuyahoga County Goes Fine Free
Cuyahoga County Public Library
To mark Cuyahoga County Public Library’s 100th anniversary and to kick off a year-long centennial celebration, the library recently announced it is now fine free. “Fines are a penalty, not a library reimbursement, that residents are charged even when they return an overdue item. When fines accrue over time, they represent a financial barrier that disproportionately affects low-income families and children,” the CCPL Board of Trustees said in a statement.
Learn more about the latest public library systems to join the Fine Free movement by visiting our website.
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How to Start a Library Podcast in 8 Simple Steps
Milton Public Library
Milton Public Library's Ashley Directo outlines what steps your library can take to launch an engaging and informative podcast. From creating a vision and name for your podcast to recording and editing your first episode, find out what it takes get this innovative way to connect with your patrons off the ground.
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ULC Development Professionals
Member Group Call
February 2 | 4-5 p.m. ET
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ULC Collections
Member Group Call
February 3 | 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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Finding Our Way Forward Together: Libraries Taking Action as Anti-Racist Leaders
Webinar
February 8 | 2-3 p.m. ET
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ULC Analytics and Tech Leaders
Member Group Call
February 10 | 2-3 p.m. ET
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ULC Communications and Marketing Leaders
Member Group Call
February 16 | Noon-1 p.m. ET
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ULC Education Leaders
Member Group Call
February 28 | 2-3 p.m. ET
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SAVE THE DATE! MARCH 24 MEMBER RECEPTION AT PLA CONFERENCE |
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Join your fellow ULC members on March 24 at 5:30 p.m. PT for an evening reception with light bites and libations. The location and registration details will be shared soon! Please mark your calendar and plan to join us.
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NEW RESOURCES ON ULC'S MEMBER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE |
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COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
Hartford Public Library
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Job Description: Librarian III
San Francisco Public Library
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Digital Content and Vendor Rating Scale
Columbus Metropolitan Library
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ULC's Business Value Calculator Featured in Bloomberg CityLab
“When some people think of economic development, they very rarely ever think of the library as a key partner in doing that work,” says ULC's Senior Program Manager Betsey Suchanic. Check out this great Bloomberg CityLab article on our new ULC Business Value Calculator.
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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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