We are exactly one week away from convening our member community in Washington, DC for the 2022 ULC Annual Forum: Creating a Place for Democracy on November 16-18! This exciting event will include extensive networking opportunities, dynamic education sessions and unforgettable social programming.

All registered attendees will receive a detailed Annual Forum packet on Monday, November 14. Stay tuned to ULC's social media (#ULCForum22), website and newsletter for more details! 

Honored With Community Impact in Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids Public Library

Cedar Rapids Public Library is the winner of the fourth annual Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize. Developed in partnership between the Gerald M. Kline Family Foundation and Library Journal, this award recognizes the powerful synergy that results when a library works closely with both its local government and its community. Because the library's definition of literacy, access and inclusion encompassed the needs of a changing community, their strategic plan aimed to elevate literacy, sustainability, equitable access, marginalized groups such as immigrants and incarcerated folk and staff voices. “What are [the community's] great needs? And what are their biggest hopes and challenges?” asked Community Relations Manager Amber McNamara. “If we can have those conversations at the beginning and build that into the development of the design of these initiatives, then we’re going to achieve so much more.”

Battling Food Insecurity in Toledo

Toledo Lucas County Public Library

In October, Toledo Lucas County Public Library was joined by more than 300 community members for the grand opening of SAME (So All May Eat) Cafe! The restaurant works around a fair-exchange model, which means that anyone can participate and decide to choose among different volunteer opportunities in the full-service restaurant. "We're just excited to invite people into our space," Executive Director of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library Jason Kucsma said. "You know the library is always a place where people can come and enrich their lives, and SAME Café is the same model for food."

Telling Stories to Debunk Ageism in Toronto

Toronto Public Library

Toronto Public Library combats ageism through storytelling and allowing library attendees to "check out" seniors for 30-minute conversations. The "human library" initiative, “UnJudge Aging,” was a first step in a larger campaign to debunk discrimination against Canada’s senior population. By offering seniors an opportunity to explain who they are and where they came from, these spaces for dialogue act as an effective way to combat discrimination.

Offering Free Diapers and Feminine Products in Los Angeles

LA County Library

With increased costs of living due to inflation, LA County Library partnered with Culver City nonprofit Baby2Baby to offer free diapers, baby wipes and menstrual products to women in need. “Every time you ask a family what they need, the first answer is diapers,” Co-Chief Executive Officer of Baby2Baby’s Norah Weinstein said. “With diaper prices now at an all-time high, this partnership is an absolutely perfect time to help families we serve.”