WEDNESDAY, January 21, 2015
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EVENTS
ULC is hosting several events and sessions at this year's ALA MidWinter Meeting. Please join us.
2015 ULC Midwinter Member Reception
Friday, January 30, 2015, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
The Newberry Library - Chicago, IL

Join your colleagues and enjoy food and drink at the ULC reception.

Click here to register.

Learn How to Get the Edge! 

Saturday, January 31, 2015, 10:30 - 11:30 am

Hyatt Regency Ballroom - Chicago, IL

  

Edge is a groundbreaking, first of its kind management and leadership tool led by the Urban Libraries Council. Hear firsthand from users about how Edge helped their library create a path for continuous growth, develop their public technology services, and advocate for the resources they need.


Click here to learn more.
 
Edge Toolkit - Users Workgroup 

Saturday, January 31, 2015, 1:00 - 2:00 pm

McCormick Place West - W185bc - Chicago, IL

  

You've taken the Edge assessment and received your results, now what? Learn from field experts and Edge trainers about what you can do to take your library to the next level and advocate for support from local leaders.

  

Click here to learn more.

ULC Communications and Marketing Meeting 
Saturday, January 31, 2015, 3:00 - 4:00 pm
JW Marriott - Columbus Room - Chicago, IL

For ULC members communications and marketing staff, join us to network with others who work in communications and marketing for libraries.

Please email Robert Shalett if you plan to attend.

ULC Breakfast 
Sunday, February 1, 2015, 8:30 - 9:30 am
JW Marriott - Madison Room - Chicago, IL

Last October, with the support of Gale Cengage Learning, ULC convened a small group of ULC library leaders to discuss the education challenges in our communities. That meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the needs of libraries as we play a stronger role in education. Please join us as we continue this conversation and discuss emerging work on libraries leading education in our communities.

For more information, please contact Colleen Bragiel.  

ULC Deputy Directors Meeting 
Sunday, February 1, 2015, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
JW Marriott - Columbus Room - Chicago, IL

Join fellow Deputy Directors to share ideas, meet colleagues and create connections for your library. Deputies will also hear from the Edge Senior Program Manager on new tools and resources in the Edge toolkit and connect with each other on best practices for using Edge in their community.

  

For more information, please contact Colleen Bragiel. 
LIBRARY NEWS
State of the Union: Internet is Infrastructure
 
Last night's State of the Union had plenty of nods to the importance of the internet in our society - from affordable and competitive broadband to open and neutral access. A point that should not be missed: President Obama categorized the internet as necessary infrastructure - an idea that library patrons certainly know.

"21st century businesses need 21st century infrastructure - modern ports, stronger bridges, faster trains and the fastest Internet," Obama said Tuesday. "Let's pass a bipartisan infrastructure plan that could create more than 30 times as many jobs per year, and make this country stronger for decades to come."
 

The White House Promotes Community Broadband


The White House released a report last week that promotes the vital need for strong broadband in our homes, businesses and communities. In this report, an initiative called BroadbandUSA was introduced. The Department of Commerce is launching this initiative that will offer "online and in-person technical assistance to communities; host a series of regional workshops around the country; and publish guides and tools that provide communities with proven solutions to address problems in broadband infrastructure planning, financing, construction, and operations across many types of business models." See a fact sheet and read about BroadbandUSA. The President speaks about community broadband here. 

Real Competition Is Best

On yesterday's Kojo Nnamdi show, a panel discussed internet competition - specifically in Washington, DC, but relevant to all of us. Hint: mid-sized cities are the leaders for faster and cheaper broadband.

LIBRARIES IN THE NEWS

Baltimore School to Raise Money for Library

   

Students at a high school in Baltimore are raising money for a new school library that will have online database capability and Wi-Fi access. "It includes a space for reading, a place for study. It includes an academic center in which they'll be writing and other research support they can use for all of their coursework," said Cindy Harcum, the principal of City College High School.  


"Libraries are really very important. They're at the heart of your institution. It's not the old library. It's kind of a media center -- not only books and data programs but a whole range of activities that are right at the heart of the institution," said former Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke, a City College alum.

LIBRARY RESOURCES 
 
Don't miss this recently-launched resource for public libraries from IDEO and the Gates Foundation Global Libraries team:
Design Thinking for Libraries: A Toolkit for Patron Centered Design.

The handbook and tools for using Human Centered Design within your library are free and an excellent way to make this approach more accessible to the field.

Also see the IDEO case study on libraries at IDEO.com.  
(h/t Brian Bannon, Chicago Public Library)
ULC IS HIRING  
ULC is seeking a senior professional to lead ULC's national programs and research related to education and learning.

To learn more, click here.

ULC MEMBER BENEFITS

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.  

 

Start off the year with more interaction with your colleagues by following ULC on Twitter and Facebook. ULC also has a LinkedIn group. Please join!

 

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CONTACT US

 

Urban Libraries Council

1333 H Street, NW  

Suite 1000 West

Washington, DC  20005

  

202-660-1449

urbanlibraries.org 

  




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