Check Out ULC's New Look!
ULC is excited to share a vibrant, new brand identity that not only reflects the innovative spirit of ULC and our member libraries, but how we are working together to transform and strengthen communities across North America!
Building on interviews conducted with our members, our new brand was developed to embody the dynamic look and feel that captures your description of ULC and the work of our member libraries ---- energetic, community-minded, forward-thinking, strategic, agile, relevant, progressive and collaborative.
The inspiration for the logo is the movement of a searchlight, constantly in motion, scanning the sky, revealing new ideas and looking to the future. ULC libraries are vital institutions that empower all members of the community. ULC is proud to work with such a dedicated network of community leaders to shine a light on the value of public libraries.
Like our new look? Let us know what you think!
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ULC Communications and Marketing
Conference Call
Thursday, September 15, 2016 | 2:00 pm ET
ULC Communications and Marketing group members are invited to join an upcoming conference call to discuss the topic "Measuring the Effectiveness of Marketing and Communications - Using Real Data."
Click
here to register or contact
Colleen Bragiel for additional information.
Thursday, September 22, 2016 | 2:00 pm ET
ULC Deputy Directors are invited to join an upcoming conference call to discuss the topic of library cards and access.
Webinar: Getting an Edge in the Digital Age
Thursday, September 29, 2016 | 2:00-3:00 pm ET
ULC is launching a new collaborative effort among ULC member libraries to highlight how technology
---- one of the library's most valuable resources
---- supports strong communities.
Join us for an informational webinar to learn more about
Edge, the nationally recognized management tool that empowers libraries to assess and improve public technologies. Using Edge, our profession's new leadership tool, we plan to tell our collective technology story to elevate what libraries do to support strong local economies and meet community needs around education, jobs, and health.
This webinar is available only to ULC members and will discuss how Edge works, the benefits of participation, as well as answer any questions you may have about joining the ULC Member Edge Collaborative.
Click here to learn more and register today!
ULC and Edge on the Road this Fall!
ULC's Director of Education and Learning Initiatives and the
Edge team will be hitting the road to share how public libraries are leading partnerships and initiatives in education, technology and other critical services, to strengthen their communities.
Check out the exciting lineup of conference sessions we are leading in the coming months to help public libraries position themselves as innovative and integral community leaders!
2016 ULC Annual Forum
ULC Libraries: Getting to the Evidence
Kansas City Marriott Downtown - Kansas City, MO
 The 2016 ULC Annual Forum is only a few weeks away and we are excited to share the latest updates on this year's program, including:
- Agenda
- Speakers
- Transportation Information
- Hotel Information
The registration deadline for the Annual Forum is September 23, 2016.
Visit the
Annual Forum website to learn more and register today!
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ULC Education Leaders Explore Data-Sharing Between Public Libraries and School Systems
More and more, public libraries are developing partnerships with school systems to better align goals and data to improve community education outcomes. For example, by establishing partnerships between School District Superintendents, Library CEOs, and Mayors/County Officials, many cities and counties involved in the White House Library Card Challenge are merging data processes to ensure that all students have access to needed library resources. In a recent conference call, ULC's Education Leaders member group explored challenges and strategies for establishing data-sharing agreements with schools and other organizations.
During the call, facilitator Liz McChesney of Chicago Public Library (CPL) discussed how CPL partnered with Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, to link with citywide youth data to demonstrate learning gains made by participants in CPL's Summer Learning Challenge. Katie Cerqua of Virginia Beach Public Library shared how the Library establishes partnership agreements with Title I schools in Virginia Beach Public Schools to assess learning gains made by participants in their Summer Slide Partnership Program, as demonstrated by gains made on the schools' reading assessment. Many other call participants discussed where they are in the process of building such partnerships with schools and school systems.
Visit the ULC Knowledge Center to view a number of examples of data-sharing agreements/MOUs from our members, including Virginia Beach Public Library, in the Education and Lifelong Learning category or by searching keywords such as "agreement" and "partnership." Help us grow this database of library resources by sending your MOU/data-sharing agreement to Katherine Behrens.
Cloud901 Learning Lab Empowers Memphis Teens to Create and Innovate
 One year ago, Memphis Public Library and Information Center debuted Cloud901, a state-of-the-art learning lab designed to help teens build 21st century skills. This Saturday, the Library will celebrate Cloud901's one year anniversary with a special celebration featuring performances and exhibits from Cloud901 users.
The 8,300 square foot space spans two floors of the Central Library, making it the largest of its kind in the nation. Cloud901 is stocked with the latest technology ---- makerspace, multimedia production labs, video games and more ---- and includes homework and collaboration zones for teens to socialize and create.
According to Library Director Keenon McCloy, Cloud901 has played a critical role in raising the public profile of the Library and positioning it as a professional center for lifelong learning. The diversity of services has drawn the attention of organizations looking to partner for grant funding and provide in-kind services and programming, particularly local schools and universities.
"The whole process of developing Cloud901 has been game-changing for the Library," said McCloy. "We do so much more than people realize; I think this has reframed the conversation to help make the Library more approachable and show the community new ways to connect with us."
Click here to learn more about Cloud901.
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Wallace Foundation, RAND Corporation Release Groundbreaking Study on Summer Learning
The Wallace Foundation
and the RAND Corporation recently released the largest-ever study of voluntary summer learning programs, demonstrating that students with high attendance in these programs experience benefits in reading and math. The report was produced as part of the $50 million National Summer Learning Project, funded by The Wallace Foundation since 2011.
The findings indicate that these summer learning programs can play a major role in preventing the "summer slide" and shrinking the achievement gap between low-income youth and their more affluent peers. As trusted institutions providing free resources and services for all, t
hese results emphasize the critical role that public libraries can play to even the academic playing field through their summer learning programs.
Click here to learn more and read the full report.
Visit the ULC Knowledge Center to view the latest ULC publications, member group conversations, and library resources on effective summer learning in libraries.
And, join our special pre-conference session at the National Summer Learning Association's (NSLA) National Conference on Afterschool and Summer Learning in October to learn how libraries are partnering with schools to expand access to summer learning!
Celebrate the 17th Annual Lights On Afterschool Event!
On October 20, communities across the country will celebrate Lights on Afterschool, the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their role in keeping kids safe, inspiring them to learn and helping working families. Libraries and other afterschool education providers are encouraged to celebrate by hosting a local Lights on Afterschool event.
Not sure how to get started? Click here to view the Afterschool Alliance's six-part Lights on Afterschool webinar series.
Don't Miss USAC's Weekly E-rate Conference Calls!
Stay up-to-date on the latest E-rate news by joining the Universal Service Administrative Company's (USAC) weekly calls for ULC members every Tuesday from 2:30 - 3:00 pm ET. USAC is hosting these calls to hear about E-rate issues that libraries are facing in the field and provide a way for attendees to bring up any other topics they want to discuss.
Please email USAC any question or topic you would like added to the agenda by noon on the Friday before the call. If no agenda is received and USAC does not have a demonstration to share, the call for that week will be cancelled.
For call details and call-in information, please contact Katherine Behrens.
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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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 Join our LinkedIn group
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Urban Libraries Council
1333 H Street, NW
Suite 1000 West
Washington, DC 20005
202-750-8650
urbanlibraries.org
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