Webinar: Libraries Improve Health
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
9-10 am PT | 10-11 am MT | 11 am-12 pm CT | 12-1 pm ET
Public libraries are central in creating healthier communities, from employing social workers and nurses to developing health initiatives and securing resources for patrons. We know these efforts make a difference. Now, we have quantitative research that shows libraries improve individual user's health.
Join Steve Podgajny, Director at Portland Public Library, and Dr. Sam Zagar, M.D., as they share groundbreaking results from their research on the health benefits of using the library. Learn about how they conducted the study, the outcomes, and what the results mean for the future.
Click here to register
Save the Date: 2015 ULC Annual Forum
High Tech, High Touch, High Trust
June 25-26, 2015
San Jose, CA
Save the Date: 2015 Partners for Success Conference
October 29-30, 2015
San Diego, CA
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Knight Foundation Pushing Digital Innovations
 Several ULC members received grants from the Knight Foundation as part of their challenge to libraries. A total of $3 million was awarded to 22 innovative library projects by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The libraries will develop new projects and tools that improve access to information, preserve history, open government data, and help bring libraries into the digital age, according to a recent article on GovTech.com. "There is a growing demand for libraries to evolve their role and become more dynamic, living platforms, responsive to community needs," said John S. Bracken, Knight Foundation Vice President for Media Innovation. "The winners are working to reinvent the ways in which people experience the library, and providing citizens with the tools and information they require to contribute and strengthen our democracy." Read the full article here.
ULC Board Member Honored
 ULC Executive Board member Mary Blankenship Pointer was recently featured in Distinctly Oklahoma Magazine as a "philanthropic champion" in her community of Oklahoma City. The article details Pointer's work in raising money for students, the arts, the sick and the homeless.
"Mary Pointer is an idea person," said Paul Sechrist, President of Oklahoma City Community College. "She is always thinking of creative ways for OCCC to raise funds for projects and programs. Mary is also about connecting people to get good things accomplished in the community." Read about her here.
Libraries as Inspiration for Decorators
 We think it may be a new trend. An article in The Detroit News details how library carts, shelving systems, displays and reading areas found in libraries are now favorites of home designers, book and digital lovers. "Look around the next time you visit your local library," says the author. "The ideas are everywhere." Check out this interesting read.
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See What E-rate Funds Mean for ULC Members
 Boston, Mid-Continent (Kansas City), Nashville, Rochester and Wichita can see the significance of the potential revenue for their libraries. If you would like ULC to develop a graphic similar infographic using your numbers, please send Katherine Bates, ULC's Senior Program Manager, the number of locations and square footage of your public space. We will be happy to customize this for your library. New Leadership Brief: Partners for Education  Want to talk about education with your business leaders and city and county officials? ULC's Partners for Education Leadership Brief highlights the unique educational assets that libraries contribute in their communities. Download ULC's latest Leadership Brief here (PDF) to share with your officials the critical role public libraries play in supporting education in your community.
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Impressive Author Line Up at TLCPL
Check out the author line up at Toledo-Lucas County Public Library for this spring. Authors Isabel Wilkerson, Sandra Cisneros and (our personal favorite from the kitchen) Chef Jacques Pepin with daughter Claudine are all slated to appear.
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ULC is seeking a senior professional to lead ULC's national programs and research related to education and learning.
To learn more, click here.
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2015 ULC Member Survey
The Urban Libraries Council is seeking member input as we continue to sharpen our strategic focus and carry out our mission of enriching communities by strengthening and promoting the value of libraries as essential public assets. ULC members will receive the survey via email tomorrow, Feb. 19, 2015.
New Education Leaders e-Discussion Group
Are you taking advantage of our e-Discussion groups? Join other ULC members to share insights and innovations and to ask questions to your peers. Members with cross-function responsibilities are welcome to join multiple discussion groups. See a full list of groups and request to be added here.
ULC just launched an
e-Discussion group to spark conversation about education and learning as a primary focus of the work of public libraries. Email Katherine Behrens, ULC's Member Programs Executive, to join.
Social Media
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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