WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2014

EVENTS

ULC Webinar

Thursday, November 20, 2014

1:00-2:00 pm ET

Libraries Lead & Facilitate Community Change

Topeka-Shawnee County Public Library

2014 Top Innovator: Civic & Community Engagement

Featuring: Gina Millsap, CEO Topeka-Shawnee

County Public Library
Lissa Staley, Public Services Librarian

Find out more and register!

2015 ULC Midwinter Member Reception

Friday, January 30, 2015, 6:00-7:30 pm

Newberry Library - Chicago, IL

NEWS AND RESOURCES

Free for All Exceeds Fundraising Goal

With the support of 920 backers, the Kickstarter campaign for Free for All: Inside the Public Library exceeded its fundraising goal with a final tally of $79,720. Producers Dawn Logsdon and Lucie Faulknor extend their thanks to the ULC community: "Thank you for all your support in getting us to our goal! Your emails, tweeting and posting put us over the $75K mark....We were surprised to learn for many people it was the first time they backed anything on Kickstarter.... We are humbled and grateful and appreciate all that you did!"

Free for All is a multi-platform documentary project, scheduled for release in 2016, that explores the vital role of libraries through stories from all across North America.

Hour of Code: Calling all Librarians

The "Hour of Code" is a global movement with the aim of reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries. During Computer Science Education Week (December 8-14, 2014), libraries everywhere are encouraged to host "Hour of Code" activities including hour-long tutorials featuring Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Angry Birds, and Plants vs. Zombies designed to show that anyone can learn the basics. Sign up to host an "Hour of Code" and help reach 100 million students by the end of the year. The sponsoring organization Code.org will provide promotional posters and "I did the Hour of Code" stickers for participants.

The Big Read: Apply Now

The National Endowment for the Arts is inviting grant applications for The Big Read, a national initiative designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. Funding for The Big Read supports organizations across the country in developing community-wide reading programs which encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences. These programs include activities such as author readings, book discussions, panel discussions, lectures, art exhibits, film series, music or dance events, theatrical performances, and other events and activities related to the community's chosen book or poet. Find out more and join the movement. The deadline for grant applications is January 28, 2015.

What Book Should You Read Next?

In the new age of algorithm-based reader recommendations, Fast Company offers a thoughtful look at how libraries are harnessing this technology, including services offered by Brooklyn Public Library and The Seattle Public Library. Read it here.

Librarian of the Year: Nominations Open

Library Journal is accepting nominations for the 27th Annual Librarian of the Year Award which will honor a professional librarian for outstanding achievement. Previous winners include ULC Library Directors Corinne Hill (Chattanooga Public Library), Luis Herrera (San Francisco Public Library) and Rivkah Sass (Sacramento Public Library). The deadline for nominations is November 3, 2014. Find out more.

SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION

Ready for Kindergarten

As a partner in a community-wide commitment to ensure that children are prepared to succeed, Columbus Metropolitan Library launched Ready for Kindergarten designated spaces in its libraries. Designed to replicate a real Kindergarten, the initial pilot quickly expanded to five additional branches and will be a fixture in all 10 new branch currently underway. Find out more and visit the complete Innovations Resource Center.

Click for PDF

MEMBER NEWS

The Power of Oklahoma Public Libraries

A devoted patron of the Pioneer Library System published a tribute in The Oklahoman which concludes, "... when our daughters scored 35s on their ACTs and were named National Merit Scholars and Oklahoma Academic All-State Scholars...(we) felt proud of their hard work.... We also felt tremendously grateful to Oklahoma public libraries because they ensured that even when we couldn't afford to give our children the best, they would still have the best - a life enriched by books."

A Place Like No Other

For its Annual Meeting on October 16, 2014 Hartford Public Library created an excellent video that distills the rich variety of services that "redefine what it means to be a library in the 21st century." Watch here.

The Library of the Future

Library Journal spotlights Library 21c, the new addition to the Pikes Peak Library District which is a centralized education and experimentation hub. The new two-story Colorado Springs library is the biggest building in the district, the second-largest in Colorado, supporting about 620,000 residents. Read more.

CONTACT US

Urban Libraries Council

1333 H Street, NW

Suite 1000 West

Washington, DC 20005

202-660-1449

urbanlibraries.org