Many of our ULC members will be headed to Columbus next week to attend the PLA 2024 Conference— and so will some ULC staff! ULC will be represented at the following sessions, where you can learn more about our strategic focus areas and ongoing ULC programming.

April 3 at 10:15 a.m. | Creating Youth Opportunities: Libraries Serve Youth at Risk of Incarceration, featuring:

• Michelle Hamiel, Chief of Programs, Urban Libraries Council
• Will Johnson, Deputy Chief of Outreach and Mobile Services, Enoch Pratt Free Library
• Lisa Wells, Executive Director, Pioneer Library System
• Sarah Wright, Young Minds Program Leader, Columbus Metropolitan Library

April 4 at 11:30 a.m. | Cornerstones in a Culture War: The Role of Urban Libraries in Defending Democracy, featuring:

• Brigitte Blanton, Director, Greensboro Public Library
• Karl Dean, Immediate Past Board Chair, Urban Libraries Council
• Allison Grubbs, Division Director, Broward County Libraries
• Brooks Rainwater, President and CEO, Urban Libraries Council
• Roosevelt Weeks, Director, Austin Public Library

April 5 at 11:30 a.m. | Food is a Right: Libraries and Food Justice, featuring:

• Lauren Boeke, Assistant Youth Services Coordinator, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library
• Nicholas Brown-Cáceres, Adjunct Faculty, Dept. of Library and Information Science, The Catholic University of America
• Anastasia Diamond-Ortiz, Director/CEO, Lorain Public Library System
• Michelle Hamiel, Chief of Programs, Urban Libraries Council

Plus, if you registered for ULC's Member Reception, we look forward to seeing you on Thursday, April 4 at 6:00 p.m. at the Columbus Metropolitan Library Main Library's Carnegie Gallery for networking, light bites, and libations!

ULC Member Conversation: Big Read Best Practices

Thursday, April 25, 2024 | 1:00 p.m. ET

Join ULC peers for an insightful conversation exploring the power of community reads! Whether you're a seasoned participant or considering launching your first One City/One Book initiative, this discussion is for you. Library leaders from San Francisco Public Library, Chicago Public Library, and DC Public Library will share their experiences, covering everything from book selection to program design and funding. You will gain new ideas and knowledge for what makes a successful big read as well as possible mistakes to avoid.

Discover the secrets to a successful big read and gain valuable insights to make your community engagement initiatives thrive!

New Resource | Beyond Books: A Conversation Guide

A guide for library professionals to engage with the community about the changing role of public libraries.

The library's role in communities has become vastly different in the 21st century than originally conceived. Libraries are essential to equity goals and the civic health of democracy in the United States. However, community members and stakeholders such as government leaders do not always know the extent of the work that libraries do and how they serve social and policy goals. 

This guide for library professionals is intended to support hosting community conversations about the changing role of libraries, highlighting community impacts and building local support. This resource would be best suited for branch managers and library leaders who are new to hosting community conversations. Users will find recommendations such as developing a project plan, suggestions for inviting community stakeholders, and tips for staying connected with local community leaders after the event. Also available within the guide are brainstorming worksheets, a printable discussion guide and sample outreach materials to get you started.

2024 ULC CEO Roundtable

May 19-21, 2024 | Los Angeles, CA

Experience the Power and Strength of the ULC Collective at the CEO Roundtable!

Join your peers for the annual ULC CEO Roundtable, a dynamic forum where visionary leaders gather to engage in profound discussions, share innovative ideas, and forge meaningful connections. This exclusive event is designed to inspire and empower CEOs and library directors to explore new strategies and solutions for addressing the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing North America’s community.

Hosted by the esteemed Los Angeles Public Library and LA County Library, this year's CEO Roundtable will spotlight the critical role of public libraries in supporting the unhoused community and social services. From May 19-21, immerse yourself in a collaborative space where thought leaders from across the country come together to exchange insights, spark creativity, and drive impactful change.

The CEO Roundtable is an opportunity for executive ULC leaders to collaborate in shaping the future trajectory of public libraries and the communities they tirelessly serve. Secure your place now and join us in Los Angeles for an extraordinary and unforgettable experience at the ULC CEO Roundtable!

Breaking from school during the summer can provide today’s youth with incredible opportunities for growth and continued learning. As an integral part of the educational ecosystem, public libraries’ summer learning programs play a crucial role in reaching all children, offering spaces, resources and programming to enhance students’ lives and increase the likelihood of future success.

As public libraries look forward to mapping out summer programming, ULC's Summer Learning Boot Camp offers methods for libraries to engage every child in high-quality summer learning, emphasizing strategies to center equity, executing effective STEM program design and targeting middle school youth.

Advancing Digital Equity Through Federal Programs and Library Partnerships

Webinar | Monday, April 15, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET

Join national library associations to learn more about how libraries will be leading opportunities created through the Digital Equity Act, which provides $2.75 billion to states through grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion. The webinar will feature a conversation between The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) along with public and state library leaders, who will share an update on their collaborations to bridge the digital equity gap. 

Hear from library leaders involved in NTIA’s Digital Equity Leaders Network, which has developed statewide digital equity plans. These plans are designed to engage an ecosystem of local partners, especially libraries, who are working together to implement new opportunities with funding from the Digital Equity Act. NTIA seeks to expand broadband Internet access and adoption in the U.S., expand the use of spectrum by all users, and ensure that the Internet remains an engine for continued innovation and economic growth. 

This webinar is co-hosted by the American Library Association (ALA), Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL), Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) and the Urban Libraries Council.

Speakers: 

• Stephanie Bailey-White, State Librarian, Idaho Commission for Libraries  
• Angela Thi-Bennett, Digital Equity Director, National Telecom and Information Administration (NTIA) 
• Michelle Jeske, City Librarian and Executive Director, Denver Public Library 
• Moderator: Brooks Rainwater, President and CEO, Urban Libraries Council 

Questions? Want to Submit a Story?

Contact ULC's Communications Manager Elise Calanni at ecalanni@urbanlibraries.org.