2015 ULC Annual Forum
High Tech, High Touch, High Trust June 25 - 26, 2015 San Jose Marriott - San Jose, CA Public libraries serve communities whose needs are driven by changes in technology, the global economy and shifting demographics. The library is the institution at the forefront of understanding and innovating new opportunities to connect people to technology, address key community issues, and support participatory learning experiences across a lifetime. Join us at this year's Annual Forum as we explore and discuss changes in technology and relationships that will continue to acknowledge the library as a highly trusted and valuable public institution.
Click here to register and learn more about the Annual Forum. ULC Communications and Marketing Conference Call Wednesday, April 8, 2015 1-2 pm ET | 12-1 pm CT | 11 am-12pm MT | 10-11 am PT
Are you a communications or marketing officer at a ULC member library? Join us for a conference call to discuss the latest communications and marketing issues facing public libraries.
For this call, we will be discussing Internal Communications.
- How do you explain communications and marketing to other staff?
- How do you "sell" your communications and marketing ideas to others on your team?
- What tools and resources do you use to explain the discipline of communications and marketing?
- What obstacles do you have explaining the reasons behind your efforts?
- How do you get other staff involved in your efforts?
Please bring your ideas, questions, and thoughts to the call!
For more information, email
Robert Shalett.
Save the Date: 2015 Partners for Success Conference
October 29 - 30, 2015
San Diego, CA
Click here for ULC's event page.
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President Obama Celebrates STEM Education and Innovation at White House Science Fair
On March 23, 2015 President Obama celebrated student winners from science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competitions across the country at the 2015 White House Science Fair. Focusing on diversity and students from underrepresented backgrounds, the fair provided 35 student teams with the opportunity to exhibit their projects, ranging from spinal implant designs to new ways of harnessing algae to create biofuel. ULC's President and CEO Susan Benton attended the event.
As part of the Science Fair, President Obama announced over $240 million in new private-sector commitments to boost STEM programs for young people. The announcement is the latest in the President's Educate to Innovate campaign, which has raised over $1 billion over the last five years to support STEM education.
In a fact sheet outlining the President's announcement, the White House recognized the Urban Libraries Council and our library members' commitment to helping more students answer the President's "Nation of Makers" call to action.
"The Urban Libraries Council (ULC) and its public library members are expanding their commitment to making technology-driven STEM education widely available to all students, including through its annual Innovations Initiative which recognizes individual library success and provides a growing database of leading practices."
Read the full fact sheet here.
USAC Announced Extension for FY 2015 E-rate Filing
In response to requests, USAC --- in consultation with the FCC --- has extended the FY 2015 application filing window for three additional weeks. FCC Form 471 applications must be submitted on or before 11:59:59 pm EDT on April 16, 2015 instead of the original date of March 26, 2015. USAC is encouraging applicants not to use the extension to delay submission of applications. Visit the USAC website for helpful tips and videos that will help you prepare your FY 2015 application. You can also submit a question or call USAC at 1-888-203-8100 if you have questions.
USAC Provides Weekly Updates on E-rate
Sign up for USAC weekly briefs and receive pertinent information on E-rate. Last week's update highlighted information on E-rate, CIPA and filtering. It stated that "While applicants applying for E-rate support for Internet access and/or Category Two services must adopt an Internet safety policy that includes a technology protection measure to protect against visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography or harmful to minors, left to applicants are 1) the specific technology protection measures that are used and 2) the sites that are blocked."
ULC has a Working Group on CIPA and E-rate. For more information on the Working Group, contact Katherine Bates.
To sign up for the USAC weekly briefs, go here.
NSLA to Host National Summer Learning Day Webinar
 The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) will host a webinar to help communities prepare for National Summer Learning Day on June 19, 2015. The webinar, taking place on April 3, 2015, will provide participants with examples and resources for promoting this year's National Summer Learning Day campaign, "Keep Kids Learning."
Register for the webinar here.
Transforming Adult Learning
 A new report from the Department of Education's Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education highlights seven strategies that community sectors and organizations can focus on to support adult learning and skills building. The report highlights libraries as important centers for supporting digital literacy.
Learn more about the report here.
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Call for Library Member Innovations Submissions
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Choose Civility: Creating a National Movement
A community-wide initiative begun by Howard County Library System, Choose Civility is a national model for libraries that wish to position themselves as leaders in the community. Choose Civility aims to enhance respect, empathy, consideration and tolerance through a network of partners. Libraries across the country are joining the movement.
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| DPL Celebrates 150 Year Anniversary
Read this great story from the Detroit Free Press about the Detroit Public Library's 150 year anniversary.
"The library is the centerpiece of the community and has been for many, many years," said DPL Executive Director Jo Anne Mondowney. "It has enabled the community to come together, and the citizens' overwhelming support of millages has sent us a message that we really matter. It's a wonderful feeling to know the one thing I think the citizens agree upon is, 'We need a public library.'"
Get Down to Business at MCPL
The Mid-Continent Public Library has launched a new programming series to help educate and support small businesses. The program, funded through a grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, will include a series of courses for entrepreneurs as well as a boot camp with local business leaders. Read more in this story from the Kansas City Business Journal.
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e-Discussion Groups Spotlight: Tech Leaders Are you taking advantage of participating in ULC's 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. The Tech Leaders group most recently discussed public printing and copy services, tracking program attendance, bookmobile internet, and iPads for public in-house use. If you or someone on your team would like the join the conversations and access the archives, email Katherine Behrens. 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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