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ULC Member News

Newsletter | August 16, 2023

ANNUAL FORUM REGISTRATION OPEN

ULC Annual Forum 2023: People, Power, Place

Today's Urban Public Library

Urban public libraries are places and spaces that bolster innovation, empower change and spur The Urban Libraries Council invites you to join us at the 2023 ULC Annual Forum — People, Power, Place: Today’s Urban Public Library — in Seattle from October 25 to 27. Registration is now open.

To kick off the forum, ULC is convening library and library foundation leaders for an exclusive “CEO to CEO” session. Taking place on Wednesday, October 25 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm, the afternoon will focus on the library and foundation executive relationship. There will also be a concurrent session designed just for deputy directors on October 25. Stay tuned for more information.

We are thrilled to have dynamic leadership duos as speakers to share more about their work and partnership:

Click here to register for the 2023 ULC Annual Forum and to also reserve your room at the forum programming hotel, The Grand Hyatt Seattle.

We look forward to seeing you this fall in Seattle!

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

"Book Sanctuaries Create Safe Spaces for Banned Books and Readers"

School Library Journal

“Book sanctuaries are important to show that libraries still have boundaries on what we are willing to accept,” said Broward County Library director Allison Grubbs. “To have the freedom to launch a book sanctuary and have it be received so positively by our community members is good to see, and good to bring that level of positivity back to the conversation.”

A new article from School Library Journal examines the growing Book Sanctuary movement across the country. From Chicago Public Library in Illinois to The Ferguson Library in Connecticut, more libraries and their cities are taking a firm stance on book banning and setting the precedent for how institutions should protect these fundamental rights.

MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP

A Look Into the LA Public Library

LA Public Library

Under the leadership of City Librarian John Szabo, the LA Public Library has more than 8 million books and serves the largest and most diverse urban population of any library system in the country. A recent article from the Los Angeles Times has captured how the library caters to the residents in need of resources — like digital access, social services, or even just air conditioning for the day. READ MORE.

A Story of Inclusivity and Respect in Regina

Regina Public Library

"We knew we needed diverse voices to make this artwork truly special, so we teamed up with Bruno Hernani and Sarah Pitman from Dunlop Art Gallery at the Regina Public Library,” read a post from the Regina Open Door Society. In a collaboration between the Regina Open Door Society and local artist Geanna Dunbar, a mural was created with the aim to spark conversations about building a welcoming community. READ MORE.

A Sign For the Times

Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Public Library

A new library in Albuquerque’s International District was the site of a western dance club and bar known as the Caravan East which included a large neon sign. Recently, the library was able to renovate and restore the sign with Zeon Signs, who designed, manufactured and installed the original sign back in 1961. READ MORE.

Launching Barbershop Books

Cleveland Public Library

The Cleveland Public Library launched its Barbershop Books program on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the Glenville Hip-Hop 50 Festival in Cleveland's Glenville Community, collaborating with their back-to-school giveaway party. In addition to book giveaways, The library had a mobile barbershop on-site, giving away free haircuts.