Our 2022 Annual Forum kicks off today here in Washington, DC! Library leaders from across North America are joining us to convene our member community and engage in expert-led sessions on preserving democracy and cultivating the future of libraries as a central pillar within our communities. This exciting event will include extensive networking opportunities, dynamic education sessions and unforgettable social programming. We are so thankful to our members for joining us and to our gracious hosts DC Public Library for all of their assistance in planning.

Stay tuned to ULC's social media (#ULCForum22) for updates and highlights throughout the week! 

How to Care For Our Democracy Featuring Shari Henry

Book City Roanoke

ULC's Director of Democracy and Community Impact Shari Henry appeared as a guest on the podcast "Books That Matter" by Book City Roanoke, which explores books that challenge us and shape the way we think and act. The podcast focuses on On Tyranny by Timothy Synder and its 20 lessons from the 20th century on how to care for our democracy.

The Monumental Return of Comic Con in Santa Clara

Santa Clara City Library

Santa Clara City Library held their 6th Comic Con earlier this month, marking its two-year return since 2019. This free event had an amazing turnout of 6,000 attendees, bringing everyone together over literacy, a love of reading and fandom. Attendees of all ages enjoyed activities such as lightsaber training, engaging with nostalgic art and vendors and participating in comic book panel sessions.

Digitizing Old Film Photos in Jacksonville

Jacksonville Public Library

Earlier this month, Jacksonville Public Library opened their Memory Lab which allows visitors to restore and view old film and photos in a number of ways. Community members may scan and restore family photos and slides, access old documents on 3.5 inch floppy disks or CDs and transfer VHS tapes, audio cassette tapes, vinyl records and even film and audio reels, into digital formats that can be shared online.

Ensuring Accessibility with Bookmobiles in Miami

Miami-Dade Public Library System

Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Bookmobile is a Sprinter Van loaded with books and movies, a wheelchair ramp and an electric awning for shade in efforts to serve community members who do not have a car or have challenges with mobility. Miami-Dade County has four mobile libraries providing books, e-books, e-audiobooks, DVDs, music, mobile devices like Chromebooks or tablets and even a hotspot to those in senior centers, after school programs, parks and more.

Safety on Spotlight: Addressing Threats in Public Libraries

Public Library Association

Facing such threats to our basic safety can often be traumatic and isolating. The Public Library Association (PLA) — in collaboration with ULC and the Association for Rural & Small Libraries — invites all library workers to join a virtual event to reflect and share with public library colleagues across the country. During this free virtual event, panelists will participate in a facilitated conversation that explores effective policies and practices to improve safety and security for library staff and patrons and invites questions and resources to be shared among all attendees.