2022 ULC Annual Forum: Creating a Place for Democracy

Washington, D.C. | November 16-18

Public libraries serve as champions for democracy, ensuring core values of free speech and access to information for all. At this critical time in our history, public libraries continue to be on the frontlines of protecting this freedom.

This November 16-18, the 2022 ULC Annual Forum: Creating a Place for Democracy invites executive library leaders to Washington, D.C. to engage in expert-led sessions on preserving democracy and cultivating the future of libraries as a central pillar within our communities.

Registration for the 2022 ULC Annual Forum is now open. Stay tuned to ULC's social media (#ULCForum22), website and newsletter for additional details. ULC has reserved a hotel room block at the Grand Hyatt Washington for attendees. Information on booking a hotel room will be provided to attendees in the Annual Forum registration confirmation email. Early bird rates will end September 30.

Growing Your Business Services to Improve Your Local Economy

Baltimore | September 21-23

There is still time to register for our upcoming Lessons from the Field event in Baltimore later this month! Explore how libraries can equip themselves to be the business leaders of tomorrow.

During this conference, you will learn how to:

• Develop key techniques to push your business services to the next level
• Tell your library's business story to local leaders and key decision makers
• Measure the value of your library’s business resources and impact on your community
• Connect and engage with new and small business owners, entrepreneurs and jobseekers

Participants will have a chance to hear success stories from ULC's Entrepreneurship cohort at interactive sessions held at Baltimore County Public Library and Enoch Pratt Free Library. We thank Gale Cengage for sponsoring this in-person event.

Meet ULC's Newest Member

Richmond Public Library

We are pleased to welcome Richmond Public Library (Calif.) as the newest member of the ULC family. Richmond Public Library aims to enrich lives and expand opportunities for all citizens by promoting reading and the active use of cultural, intellectual and information resources through a dedication to excellence and professional service.

Connecting Communities to Digital Navigators

Salt Lake City Public Library, Institute of Museum and Library Services

Check out this great grant spotlight from IMLS on ULC’s partnership with Salt Lake City Public Library and National Digital Inclusion Alliance to advance the Digital Navigators service model to help libraries address the new and intensified digital access barriers resulting from COVID-19. 

“My favorite part of working on this project was spending time getting to know folks in our community during our ‘foot campaign,’ where we spent six weeks canvassing 220 miles in our service areas of Glendale, Poplar Grove, and Rose Park. “I was humbled by how excited people were to greet library staff in their neighborhoods. We were able to help folks with their tech questions right on their front porch!” — Shauna Edson, Technology and Digital Equity Manager at the Salt Lake City Public Library

Enhancing Literacy Through Music

Multnomah County Library

Multnomah County Library’s “Book to Beats” program promotes literacy among teens at juvenile detention centers through music. Bringing a remote sound recording studio to the facility and five-time Grammy Award winner and Harvard professor Esperanza Spalding, the program encourages the creative and imaginative process and provides studio spaces that would otherwise be inaccessible to the teens.

Displaying Design and Excellence in Library Architecture

Fulton County Library System, Salt Lake County Library

This year’s American Libraries’ Library Design Showcase highlights two ULC member libraries — Fulton County Library System and Salt Lake County Library! Fulton County Library’s interior design prioritizes accessibility, flexibility and transparency with large windows and multipurpose collaboration spaces while Salt Lake County Library’s focus on the outdoors boasts a landscaped walking path lined with native plants and a rooftop garden.