This Week at ULC
Newsletter | September 1, 2021
SUPPORTING LIBRARIES AND COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY HURRICANE IDA
Hurricane
Hurricane Ida, which hit communities along the Louisiana coast with winds of 150 mph earlier this week, has caused more than 1 million homes to lose power and prompted rescue operations in flooded areas in and around New Orleans. This storm was the latest challenge for communities in the region who are also struggling with a recent rise in COVID-19 cases. 

The ULC community stands with libraries and residents being impacted by this catastrophic weather event. We encourage our library colleagues to reach out directly to ULC's staff and peer library leaders if we can be of help.

Click here to learn about ways you can support victims of this devastating disaster.
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT RESOURCES
FCC Opens Second ECF Application Filing Window

The FCC has opened a second filing window for libraries to request future support from the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) program. Libraries can apply for funding from September 28 to October 13 to cover broadband and devices for students and patrons who lack home internet access. Learn More >

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

ULC is thrilled to welcome Boise Public Library in Idaho as the newest addition to our member community! With a main library and four branch locations, Boise Public Library aims to improve the quality of life for community members by supporting their efforts to enhance knowledge, realize creative potential and share ideas and stories.
Lexington Public Library Children's Area
Debuting a New Children's Area at Central Library
Lexington Public Library

Last week, Lexington Public Library held a grand opening for the new and expanded Children’s Area at Central Library. Patrons were invited for a fun-filled day of play and take-home crafts. The Children's Area houses two play spaces, an expanded storytime area and a children’s art space. “We expanded our children’s space in order to offer more ways for children to learn and explore the world around them,” said Executive Director Heather Dieffenbach.  
Brampton Newcomers
Helping Newcomers Build a New Life in Canada
Brampton Library

Brampton Library relaunched its award-winning newcomer bus tour during the month of August with a twist. Patrons interested in learning more about the city were able to obtain a self-directed kit complete with maps and materials for a newcomer walk/bus tour. Kits were available via curbside pickup or online. Sarala Uttangi, Brampton Library's director of community engagement & partnerships, penned a blog post to talk more about the services and resources available.
NEW ON THE ULC BLOG
Digital Navigators Partners
Pictured from left to right: United Africans of Utah Chromebook recipients Baracka Mitonzi, Maryan Shire (with family) and Hassan Gabo.
How the Digital Navigators Initiative Has Changed Lives in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City Public Library
For the past year, Salt Lake City Public Library has taken a leading role in piloting the Digital Navigators service model to not only meet local digital needs, but also identify best practices and a framework to inform libraries everywhere. ULC connected with several of the library's local partners to learn more about how this work has helped to change lives across the community. 
Now being piloted by SLCPL and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, the Digital Navigators model positions trained individuals to provide phone-based support for issues related to the full spectrum of digital needs. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant number LG-248566-OLS-20.
SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION
Marin Building Bridges
Building Bridges Beyond Bias
Marin County Free Library
Marin County Free Library is collaborating with Age Forward Marin to launch a four-part series dedicated to fostering connection and awareness through conversation. Participants will be encouraged to share with each other and move beyond their biases during the virtual sessions, which are scheduled to start weekly later this month. Featured speakers include Laura Eberly, founding director of Mountaintop Coaching & Consulting, Alejandro Lara, a first-generation Latino college graduate and Tahirah Dean, an Afro-Latina Muslim woman and staff attorney at Legal Aid of Marin.
REALM PROJECT UPDATE
Kelvin Watson REALM
Navigating Operational Changes During the Pandemic
Las Vegas-Clark County Library District

In a new REALM Project video interview, LVCCLD Executive Director Kelvin Watson shares his perspective on the changes to operations, programming and services libraries have been confronted with during the pandemic. 

REopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) is an ongoing research project conducted by OCLC, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Battelle to produce and distribute science-based COVID-19 information that can aid local decision-making regarding operations of libraries, museums and archives.

To receive the latest news on this project, please sign up for the REALM email update newsletter. You may also submit questions about the project via this online form.
FEATURED RESOURCES ON ULC'S MEMBER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
Explore new resources in the ULC Member Knowledge Exchange
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
Multnomah County Library
CEO CALLS RESUME ON SEPTEMBER 9
We invite ULC Directors and CEOs to join us on Thursday, September 9, at 4 p.m. ET for our weekly Member Group Call.

During the call, we will hear from the director of IMLS, Crosby Kemper.
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
ULC EDI Officers
Member Group Call
September 8 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC Development Professionals
Member Group Call
September 8 | 3-4 p.m. ET
ULC CEOs
Member Group Call
September 9 | 4-5 p.m. ET
ULC Communications and Marketing Leaders
Member Group Call
September 22 | Noon-1 p.m. ET
NOW TRENDING ON SOCIAL
Trigger Terms
ULC's Harmful Detours and Healing Redirects Framework

Check out our newest resource! Addressing key trigger terms, ULC’s Harmful Detours and Healing Redirects framework will help leaders grow alignment, surface misunderstandings and find paths forward through difficult conversations.