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Newsletter | February 22, 2023

2023 INNOVATIONS OPEN NOW!

ULC'S 2023 Innovations Initiative is now open for submissions! Now is the time to showcase your “new” and “next” programs, partnerships, events and strategies. All submissions become part of ULC's Innovations archive, which serves as a way for us to learn from one another and a key reference resource for libraries and other community leaders throughout North America.

New this year are updated and streamlined categories based on the work of our members, including a call for submissions in Advocacy & Awareness, Democracy, and Data & Performance Management categories.

To help prepare your submission, view our Innovations FAQs and delve into our 2023 Innovation Categories Brochure. Approved submissions will be posted live to the ULC website within one week of their submission. ULC will announce the Top Innovator and Honorable Mention award winners in each category during a virtual event later this spring.

The deadline for submissions is March 17, 2023. Each entry should feature library programs, initiatives and transformative ideas that have either launched in 2022 or achieved significant breakthroughs during that time. Reminder: Anyone can submit an Innovation, but all submissions must be approved by the library's director.

Submit Now

MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP

Meet ULC's Newest Member

Escondido Public Library

We are excited to welcome Escondido Public Library to the ULC family! Escondido Public Library is located in San Diego County, Calif. and has served the city of Escondido for over 100 years. They are proud that outreach, dynamic programming and partnerships with local buisnesses and organizations are integral services that the library provides to the community. Welcome to ULC!

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Creating a Book Sanctuary for Freedom to Read Week

Calgary Public Library

To honor Freedom to Read Week in Canada this week, Calgary Public Library is creating a Book Sanctuary exhibit to promote the right to access books that have been challenged or banned and prompt visitors to consider the risks of censorship. “All libraries act as protected spaces for information and knowledge. By creating a Book Sanctuary, we hope to demonstrate support for libraries across North America and let our community know that challenges to intellectual freedom are ongoing,” said Sarah Meilleur, CEO at Calgary Public Library.

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Celebrating 10 Years of "Reading Brave" in Saint Paul

Saint Paul Public Library

Saint Paul Public Library celebrates 10 years of the "Read Brave" citywide reading initiative this year. The initiative encourages readers of all ages to connect by reading books around a common theme, with this year’s theme being mental health. Throughout March, the library will host events meant to bring community members together to mobilize for change.

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Delving Into Anti-Racism Through a Human Library

Edmonton Public Library

This month, Edmonton Public Library hosted a "human library" event for students as part of a series of anti-racism events. More than 150 students gathered to talk through issues, challenging stereotypes and stigma with open dialogue with local community leaders. Having these discussions across a generational divide provided valuable perspective about the importance of active anti-racism.

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Celebrating Black History and Excellence Beyond February

Spokane Public Library, Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach

In celebration of Black History Month, ULC is highlighting creative programming and events from member libraries. Follow along for updates every week in this new blog. To wrap up this series, we're showcasing libraries that look beyond the month of February and engage young people in celebrating Black excellence all year long.

Spokane Public Library: Spokane Library recently hosted the second rendition of the Spokane Black Voices Symposium, an event that highlights students of color and their experiences living as minorities. Students recited writings and discussed artwork that they created to express their Black experience.

Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach: For especially young leaders, Mandel Public Library's kidspace book club will lead students grades three through five in their February discussion about important Black history month themes. This month, they read "Finding Langston" by Lesa Cline Ransom.

NEW ON THE ULC BLOG

Supporting Mental Health and Well-Being in Pima County

Pima County Public Library

Last year, staff from Pima County Public Library saw an increasing need for mental health support for the community and wanted to take action. As a result, the Synapse Team was formed. In ULC's newest blog post by PCPL's Heather Severson, learn about how the growing team provides essential community mental health services through resources, book lists, programs and more.

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ULC SUMMER LEARNING BOOT CAMP SERIES

As part of the Building Equity: Amplify Summer Learning initiative, ULC is hosting a monthly informational boot camp series designed to support libraries as they work to amplify equity in summer learning. Last week, we hosted Boot Camp #2: Working with Middle School Students. Thank you to everyone who attended! You can view the recording of Boot Camp #2 here.

Don't forget to RSVP for the last two webinars of the series, below!

Boot Camp #3: STEM Planning in Summer

Thursday, March 16 at 2 p.m. ET

Boot Camp #4: Evaluating Summer Programs

Thursday, April 20 at 2 p.m. ET

WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH ULC

Our ULC Member Job Board is regularly updated as we learn of new positions that are open at our member libraries. Once you are logged into your ULC member account, you can access the Job Board link on the left side under “Member Hub.” And, if you have a job posting at your library, please email info@urbanlibraries.org and we will gladly add it to the Job Board!

The latest job postings:

ILS Consultant - Los Angeles Public Library
Director, Branch Services – Edmonton Public Library
Regional Manager (Southeast Region and Northwest Region) - Seattle Public Library

ULC's Member Knowledge Exchange makes it easy for our members to build relationships and share transformative tools and ideas with ULC library leaders across North America. If you have a resource you'd like to share with other member libraries, please email info@urbanlibraries.org.

The latest resources:

COVID Management Update | Enoch Pratt Free Library
Community Engagement Org Chart | DC Public Library
World Language Print Vendors | Seattle Public Library

UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS

ULC HR Leaders Call

Member Group Call

February 22 | 4-5 p.m. ET

RSVP Now

ULC Education Leaders Call

Member Group Call

February 27 | 2-3 p.m. ET

RSVP Now

ULC EDI Officers Call

Member Group Call

March 1 | 3-4 p.m. ET

RSVP Now

ULC Communications & Marketing Call

Member Group Call

March 15 | 3-4 p.m. ET

RSVP Now

NOW TRENDING ON SOCIAL

Do Space

Do Space recently partnered with Fontenelle Forest to host an event to inspire kids to love both technology and nature through STEM!

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Las Vegas-Clark County Library District

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District is attracting people to the library with Golden Knights cards AND plants - check out their hydroponics garden series.

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Anne Arundel County Public Library

The Anne Arundel County Public Library is fundraising with ice cream! Proceeds of the flavor "If You Give a Moose a Cookie" will go towards library improvement.

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Jefferson County Public Library

Prom season is upon us! Jefferson County Public Library is hosting their 9th annual "Prom Swap." Teens can browse donated dresses, tuxes and suits in exchange for bringing in their own donation.

See the IG Post

Questions? Want to Submit a Story?

Contact ULC's Director of Communications Paul Negron at pnegron@urbanlibraries.org.

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