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 can play important roles in creating healthy communities - from researching and securing resources for patrons, to employing social workers and nurses, to disseminating information about current health issues and actions, to developing health initiatives. We now have data showing library users are healthier than their peers. Join Steve Podgajny, Director at Portland Public Library and Dr. Sam Zager as they share their research on the associations between health and library use. Dr. Zager will discuss how the HeLPURS study brought health indicator data and library usage profiles together to gain a better understanding of the value of the Portland Public Library's efforts in improving the overall health of their community. The results provide evidence that public library use has quantifiable associations with health, particularly in the areas of substance abuse and depression-anxiety disorders. Learn about how they conducted the study, the outcomes, and what the results mean for the future for their programs, facilities, and other development opportunities.
Click here to register
Powerful Collaborations: Library-School-Community Partnerships 2015 National Center for Families Learning Summit Tuesday, March 17, 2015 | 2-3 pm CT Julia Ideson Building - Houston, TX and via webcast
This interactive webcast from the 2015 National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) Families Learning Summit, made possible by NCFL and ULC, will showcase collaborations between libraries, schools and community-based organizations. Find out how library leaders and community partners in Houston, Hartford and Nashville are maximizing the enduring influence of libraries by transforming programming, creating centers for intergenerational learning, pioneering afterschool programming and fostering digital innovations. Engage with the panel as they share experiences and strategies that will benefit your community's understanding and leveraging of these partnerships. Click here for more information about this session and the NCFL conference.
Putting the Pieces Together: Library-Community Partnerships to Lead Learning 2015 National Center for Families Learning Summit Wednesday, March 18, 2015 | Time TBD Hyatt Regency Houston
Libraries today are partnering with other organizations to create learning outcomes for their communities across a lifetime. In this session from the 2015 National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) Families Learning Summit, participants will hear from libraries, community-based literacy organizations and school partners about emerging models for working together. You will work in teams to consider which partnerships, practices, and innovative models can be developed for your community. This interactive session powered by the NCFL-ULC partnership will include facilitated, small table discussions on partnership development, key strategies partners use in working together successfully and ideas on identifying opportunities in your community. Click here for more information about this session and the NCFL conference.
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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Now Accepting Your Submissions for the Innovations Awards
We are proud to announce the Sixth Annual ULC Innovations Initiative and encourage your library's participation.
The intent of the Innovations Initiative is to:
- Capture and promote innovation in urban libraries.
- Share innovations and leading practices across the ULC membership.
- Create national and international recognition for ULC library innovators.
To learn about the Innovations categories, submission form and key dates for the award process, please go to the Innovations page on the ULC website.
Last year we received nearly 200 innovations from ULC libraries that were viewed and recognized by the White House, local, national and international government organizations, and the media. The ULC Innovations Initiative provides a way for leaders to hear about the positive contributions you make to your community.
The deadline for this year's submissions is April 3, 2015 with the Top Innovators being recognized and celebrated at the ULC Innovations Celebration on Thursday, June 25, 2015 at the ULC Annual Forum.
If you have questions, please email Katherine Behrens or call her at 202-750-8652. We look forward to reading your submissions. Thank you for sharing your great work.
Net Neutrality: What's next?
 It has been all over the news - Net Neutrality! After months of press coverage and over four million comments, the FCC voted on the issue on February 26, 2015. In a 3-2 vote along party lines, the Commission voted to approve a series of changes, including three open Internet conduct rules that block broadband providers, both wired and wireless, from blocking or throttling Internet traffic. The nuances of the Order will be parsed when the Order is released.
ULC will keep you informed about the activity surrounding the issue. It is not expected to be resolved with the approval of the Order and many expect Court or Congressional action. For those that want to stay up to speed on the issue, read the Benton Foundation's blog, and look for updates in e-News Weekly. Also consult ULC's recent Briefing Paper on what Net Neutrality means to libraries.
Community Broadband Services
Another issue the FCC took action on at its meeting last week concerned community broadband services in the cities of Chattanooga, TN, and Wilson, NC. These entities petitioned the FCC to preempt on laws in their states that restricted them from providing broadband Internet service, on their own or through a partnership, to neighboring towns. This New York Times article provides good background information and some discussion about what to expect next.
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| New Member: HCPL  Please join us in welcoming ULC's newest member Harris County Public Library in Houston, TX!
CML to Dedicate New Branch
On April 11, 2015, Columbus Metropolitan Library will open its new Whitehall Branch to the public with a brief dedication ceremony followed by a grand opening celebration. The new branch represents the second of 10 library locations (including Main Library) to be renovated or rebuilt in the next few years.
El Paso Libraries Keep Up with Digital Age  ULC member El Paso Public Library was recently in the news touting their evolution in the digital age. "Public libraries, we've been around since like the beginning of time, so whether the information is on papyrus or it's in electronic format, our job is to make sure you have access to information," said Library Director Dionne Mack.
The Cincinnati Public Library Lets You Use DSLRs and Studio Equipment for Free
Don't miss this write up about The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County's makerspace for digital audio, video, and photography.
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Deadline TOMORROW for ULC Member Survey We need your input as we sharpen our strategic focus and carry out our mission of enriching communities by strengthening and promoting the value of libraries as essential public assets. The deadline is March 5, 2015. Contact Katherine Behrens, ULC's Member Programs Executive, if you have any questions. 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 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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