WEDNESDAY, December 23, 2015
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EVENTS
2016 ULC Midwinter Member Reception 
Friday, January 8, 2015, 6:30 - 8:00 pm 
Boston Public Library - Abbey Room and Chavannes Gallery

Welcome in the new year and join your colleagues for a Member Reception hosted by Boston Public Library and ULC. Stop by for some light bites and libations and see BPL's beautiful and historic Abbey Room and Chavannes Gallery.

RSVP to Colleen Bragiel by Monday, January 4.
 
 
A special thank you to Ingram Content Group
for sponsoring the reception.



ULC Deputy Directors Meet-Up
Sunday, January 10, 2015, 9:30 - 11:00 am
Boston, MA

ULC invites members of the Deputy Directors Member Group to join us for an informal meeting to network and continue our recent conversations. Join us to share recent successes and gather insights from your peers.

Specific location for the Meet-Up will be announced in early January based on RSVPs.

RSVP to Katherine Behrens by Monday, December 28. 
MEMBER NEWS
Over 100,000 Students Participate in Charlotte Mecklenburg Library ONE Access Initiative 
 
In August 2015, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library announced a partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) called ONE Access to connect all CMS students to library resources and services. When the program launched in September, the school system issued a challenge to faculty to get 100% of students to use their account by the end of 2015. As of December 22, the joint initiative has seen significant growth with more than 100,000 students using their ONE Access accounts.

The ONE Access initiative allows students to use their school identification numbers to access Library research databases, borrow digital materials and check out up to ten print and audiobooks without incurring overdue fines. Current data shows that 52% of the activity has been checkout of physical books and materials, followed by 29% accessing digital materials on OverDrive and 16% using Library computers. Many students are also accessing online databases for research. Whether completing a school project or training a middle school Science Olympiad team, students and faculty are recognizing the value of this library-school collaboration and are excited to participate.

Click here to view the latest updates on the ONE Access program.



Omaha Public Library Director Writes Heartfelt Holiday Letter to the Community

In the spirit of the holidays, Omaha Public Library (OPL) Director Laura Marlane recently penned a letter to the Omaha World-Herald thanking community members for their support throughout the years. In addition to highlighting the diversity of classes, collections and other resources that the Library offers, Marlane shined a spotlight on OPL's outreach work to engage community members where they are through services like deliveries to homebound residents and work in local daycare centers and schools. Marlane also calls attention to the library's latest work with community partners, such as the Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless, to collaborate and discuss strategies for helping Omaha's homeless population access needed resources.

Click here to read the full article.



National Summer Learning Association Now Accepting Applications for Excellence in Summer Learning Awards   

In 2015, Chicago Public Library (CPL) was the first library ever to win one of the National Summer Learning Association's (NSLA) New York Life Excellence in Summer Learning Awards, setting a national example for how public libraries are re-envisioning and transforming traditional summer learning programs.

Raise awareness for your library's innovative summer learning work by applying for the 2016 awards today! NSLA will host a free webinar on Monday, January 11, 2016, for potential applicants to learn more about the award process and hear from past winners. The application deadline is February 1, 2016.

Visit the NSLA website for more information on how to apply. Learn how libraries are expanding summer learning opportunities in the initial findings from ULC's Accelerate Summer initiative.  
Merry Christmas!



The ULC office will be closed tomorrow, December 24, and Friday, December 25, for the holidays. 
ULC E-Discussion Groups


Are you taking full advantage of ULC's e-Discussion groups? Our e-Discussion groups provide ULC members with the opportunity to share insights with and learn from library peers. Members with responsibilities across different roles and work areas are welcome to join multiple discussion groups. We can also provide you with a list of current group participants to update your contact list.

If you or someone on your team would like to join our discussion groups,
email ULC Member Programs Executive Katherine Behrens. Visit the ULC website to view the full list of e-Discussion groups.
 
LIBRARY NEWS
Apply for 2016 Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries
 
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is accepting applications for FY 2016 Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries. Libraries can apply by the February 1, 2016 deadline to secure funding that can be used to support the deployment, testing, and evaluation of promising and groundbreaking new tools, products, services, or organizational practices. In September, ULC members Hartford Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and the Free Library of Philadelphia were each awarded funding through the program.

Visit the IMLS website for more information on how to apply.




USAC Updates 2016
Filing Schedule


The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) has announced that the window application dates for E-rate funding should be in mid-January, depending on the roll-out of the new EPC system. USAC is stating that the window will open no later than January 20 and close no earlier than March 31. They encourage everyone who plans on submitting this year to post the FCC Form 470 and complete your competitive bidding process to ensure that you are ready to complete From 471 when it becomes available. A copy of the notice that includes this information can be found here. ULC encourages everyone to sign-up to receive the SL Program News Brief, a newsletter distributed by USAC's Schools and Libraries Division. 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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Urban Libraries Council

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