ULC Library Legislative Day Reception
Monday, May 2, 2016, 6:00 - 8:00 pm ET
Urban Libraries Council Office
1333 H Street NW, Suite 1000 West, Washington, DC
Is your library team planning to visit DC for Library Legislative Day? ULC invites leadership teams from our member libraries to visit the ULC office to meet with ULC staff, reconnect with your peers, and enjoy a few bites and refreshments.
Please RSVP for the reception by visiting the Members Only section of the ULC website and clicking on "Events & Registrations."
For those of you riding the Metro from either Capitol Hill or another location, the ULC Office is conveniently located close to the Metro Center and McPherson Square metro stations.
For more information, contact Colleen Bragiel.
See you in May!
ULC Annual Member Breakfast
Saturday, June 25, 2016, 8:00 - 9:30 am ET
Hyatt Regency Orlando - Plaza Ballroom - Orlando, FL
ULC members are invited to join us for our Annual Member Meeting on Saturday, June 25, 2016, from 8:00-9:30 am ET at the
Hyatt Regency Orlando in the Plaza Ballroom.
During the breakfast you will hear updates from the ULC leadership, review the slate of ULC Member Candidates and elect the new board, and connect with your peers.
Please register for the ULC Member Breakfast by visiting the
Members Only section of the ULC website and clicking on "Events & Registrations."
For more information, please contact
Katherine Behrens.
2016 ULC Annual Forum
ULC Libraries: Getting to the Evidence
Kansas City Marriott Downtown - Kansas City, MO
Urban libraries, like results-oriented organizations in all sectors, need the right language and data to understand and ensure that our work is meeting the goals we've set for ourselves. Join us at this year's ULC Annual Forum as we focus on exploring and developing a framework that we can all use to describe the outcomes and impacts that we create for the individuals and communities we serve - both at the local and national level.
To register and learn more about the Annual Forum, visit the
ULC website.
If you have questions, please contact
Katherine Behrens, ULC Member Programs Executive.
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ULC Awarded IMLS National Leadership Grant in Support of Closing the Opportunity Gap for Early Readers
ULC is pleased to have been awarded a National Leadership Grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to further advance the work of public libraries as education partners and leaders. The grant will support a National Forum on Closing the Opportunity Gap for Early Readers, which will develop a conversation on promising practices and effective partnerships among public libraries to reach and engage low-income, at-risk, K-3rd grade students to improve reading proficiency.
ULC will partner with the Council of the Great City Schools and the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading on this initiative, which will include a national scan of leading practices and excellent partnership and program models that support reading proficiency. The initiatie will also include a national convening of thought leaders and a call-to-action publication with recommendations for successfully implementing effective partnerships and programs to strengthen at-risk student reading.
ULC secured one of 40 IMLS grants awarded to institutions last Tuesday through the National Leadership Grant for Libraries and Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Programs. Click here to view the full list of grantees and project descriptions.
IMLS Announces 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service Winners
 Yesterday, IMLS announced the ten recipients of the 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, including ULC members Brooklyn Public Library and Madison Public Library. The National Medal is the nation's highest honor given to museums and libraries for their innovative service and community impact.
In a post on the organization's Facebook page, IMLS recognized Madison Public Library, the first Wisconsin library to receive the award, for their strong community connections and commitment to promoting civic engagement, literacy and education. Brooklyn Public Library received special recognition for the work of their Outreach Services deparment, including programs for reaching homebound patrons and citizenship classes for new Americans.
Congratulations to Brooklyn Public Library and Madison Public Library!
Click here to view the press release and full list of recipients.
ULC Member Libraries Receive 2016 AIA/ALA Library Building Awards
Lexington Receives High Ratings from Kentucky Library Association
 The Lexington Public Library has received an Exemplary Level rating from the Kentucky Public Library Association (KPLA), making it one of only nine public libraries throughout the state to reach the association's highest rating level.
KPLA measures seven categories to determine rating levels: governance, human resources, collections, services, facilities, technology and marketing. A library must reach 80 percent of the association's exemplary benchmarks to earn the exemplary rating.
This is the first year the Lexington Public Library has received an exemplary rating. A total of 71 libraries submitted for rating during the last two-year cycle. KPLA recognizes libraries with three rating levels: essential, enhanced, and exemplary.
Congratulations!
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Yesterday, ULC hosted a webinar, Grow Your Own: Leaders + Teams, with a special presentation on team leadership and effectiveness from Grand Rapids Public Library (GRPL) Assistant Director Marla Ehlers.
If you missed the webinar and would like to hear GRPL's insights for improving team dynamics and implementing creative problem-solving strategies among leaders and teams, you can purchase the recording for $150.
Please contact Colleen Bragiel for details.
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E-RATE 2016:
DID YOU KNOW?
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Recognizing the issues involving the transition to the new EPC system, USAC just opened up a second E-rate window for libraries and consortia. This means if you have not yet submitted your form 470, there is still time!
USAC and the FCC listened to the concerns of libraries and schools and are providing a two-part extension for E-rate applicants. The window for all applicants has been extended to May 26, 2016, and a second new window for libraries and consortia is opening on May 27 with a closing date of July 21.
For more information, consult the ULC website.
Please continue to provide feedback directly to USAC on the weekly calls with ULC members and State E-rate Coordinators held Tuesdays at 2 pm ET through the end of the new window in July.
For call details and call-in information, or to forward any additional issues you might have, contact Katherine Bates.
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ALA Releases 2016
Report on the State of
American Libraries
Last Monday, the
American Library Association (ALA) released its annual
The State of America's Libraries report in recognition of National Library Week.
This digital supplement to ALA's American Libraries magazine analyzes some of the biggest issues and national trends affecting public, academic and school libraries. Among the many findings, one of the most significant is that libraries of all sizes and jurisdictions are advancing literacies, transforming resources and services, and increasing access to new technologies to create more digitally inclusive communities.
Click
here to learn more and read the full report.
Have You Registered for the 2016 IFLA World Library and Information Congress?
The early registration
deadline for the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Annual World Library and Information Congress is just four weeks away!
The weeklong slate of events and programming, taking place August 13-19, gives American library professionals an opportunity to network on a global scale with representatives from over 110 countries. This year's World Library and Information Congress is especially exciting for ULC as it is the first time the conference has been held in the United States in 15 years and one of the conference hosts is ULC member Columbus Metropolitan Library
.
Advance registration ends on May 17, 2016. Visit the the IFLA website today to save on your registration and learn more about this exciting event!
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For more interaction with your colleagues, follow ULC on Twitter and Facebook. ULC also has a LinkedIn group. Please like, follow and join!
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