At the 2022 ULC Annual Forum: Creating a Place for Democracy, attendees and special guests gathered at DCPL’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library to celebrate ULC's 50th Birthday. ULC thanks Baker & Taylor for its generous sponsorship of this Celebration.

Check out highlights from the fabulous event, watch testimonials from ULC leaders and learn more about the history of ULC from the 1970's to today.

Over the last 10 months, ULC Annual Forum Featured Speaker Tommi Laitio has talked to more than 200 park, library, research and city leaders from more than 40 cities to explore how parks and libraries can be inspiring and safe learning grounds for living in a diverse world. In a reflection article, Laitio argues that for parks and libraries to live up to their fullest potential as civic spaces, they need to recalibrate the ideals of good public spaces by aiming to create convivial spaces. “The notion of conviviality – the capacity to live together – is a growing area of inquiry in social and cultural studies of cities, as well as a potential framework for the design of inclusive public spaces and cross-cultural dialogues,” says Laitio.

Nearly 3,000 years after the first library opened its doors, the world is on the brink of losing climate stability. In one of ULC's latest blog posts, hear from Alison Smart, Executive Director of Probable Futures, about how libraries can help build societal climate literacy and help people foster needed skills for a changing climate.

Meet ULC's Newest Member

Oak Park Public Library

We are thrilled to welcome back Oak Park Public Library to the ULC family! Serving the city of Oak Park, Ill., Oak Park Public Library strives to empower every voice in their community and share the information, services and opportunities that fulfill Oak Park’s aspirations.

Honored with Special Award in Charlotte

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Congratulations to Marcellus Turner, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library CEO & Chief Librarian, on being named as one of the 2022 Charlotteans of the year by Charlotte Magazine! Believing that a library’s success is dependent on seeing and supporting every patron, he says “What I really want is, ‘Let me tell you what that kid got to do when they came to story time. They got a chance to interact with other kids. Their caregiver got a chance to interact with other caregivers, to see how they’re handling things. They got a chance to play. They got a chance to move.’ Those are the things that matter. You’re helping a child with their growth and development.”

Offering Library Cards for Reentry and Opportunities

San Diego County Library

In 2021, San Diego County Library created a program designed to help people who have spent time in County detention facilities successfully return to their communities and build brighter futures by issuing more than 120 library cards in its first year. By teaming up with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and adding library cards to reentry services, the library card program hopes to help people coming home improve their lives by giving them access to programs, wi-fi, hotspots, career coaching, books and more.

Ensuring Reading Accessibility and Inclusiveness in Anchorage

Anchorage Public Library

Throughout the years, Anchorage Public Library has cultivated a wonderful Large Type (LT) collection to increase accessibility and inclusiveness to patrons with vision impairments, brain injuries or dyslexia. A large collection of LT materials can improve reading fluency, reading comprehension, academic achievement, decrease digital dependence and foster a sustained love of reading.

Boosting Tech Navigator Services in Sarasota

Sarasota County Libraries

Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources received the Public Library Association Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive, supported by AT&T, which provides assistance to conduct digital literacy training in their communities and help close the digital divide. Sarasota County Libraries are using the funds to enhance the Tech Navigator service, which provides patrons with direct, one-on-one sessions with library staff to learn more about using online resources, common software and devices like tablets and e-readers.