This Week at ULC
Newsletter | June 8, 2022
MEET ULC'S NEW TEAM MEMBERS
We are pleased to announce that ULC is welcoming three new team members this summer! Shari Henry and Michelle Hamiel bring deep library and community experience and they have years of knowledge and experience with ULC. Katie Sullivan comes to ULC from the National Association of Counties where she handled programming related to economic mobility and equitable economic recovery. We are thrilled to have these outstanding professionals join us!
Michelle Hamiel
Director of Strategic Initiatives

Michelle is known and respected throughout Maryland libraries as an extraordinary leader with strong leadership skills and judgment. She has served as Prince George's County Memorial Library System's chief operating officer and led the mission, vision, innovation and operations of the library's 19 branches and the county detention center. Michelle is currently a member of ULC’s Anti-Racism Action Team.
Shari Henry
Director of Strategic Initiatives

Shari has worked in libraries for over 15 years, including a tenure as library director for Roanoke County, Va. Prior to her library career, she worked in community engagement and outreach in nonprofit organizations and is a published writer. Shari is driven by the desire to impact the community for good by connecting resources to people, and by her undying belief that strong libraries are fundamental to healthy democracies.
Katie Sullivan
Program Manager

Katie comes to ULC with experience in project management, event planning and content development from several Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organizations. Most recently, Katie served as a program manager for the National Association of Counties, providing local government leaders with programming related to economic mobility, arts and culture and equitable economic recovery. Katie holds a bachelor’s degree in history and Hispanic studies from the College of William & Mary.
ULC OPEN HOUSE DURING ALA JUNE 24
Join Us Friday, June 24 | 1-4 P.M. ET
ULC Member Open House

ULC members are invited to visit the ULC office on Friday, June 24 anytime from 1-4 p.m. ET for some light bites and refreshments.

Please come by to tour the ULC office space, meet our new staff members and mingle with your peers! The ULC office is a 12-minute walk from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. We look forward to seeing you! Registration is required.

Location:
ULC Headquarters
1333 H Street, NW
Suite 1000 West
Washington, DC 20005
ULC MEMBER BREAKFAST JUNE 26
ULC members are invited to a breakfast and discussion in Washington D.C. on Sunday, June 26. Please join us to connect with ULC peers and learn about ULC’s 2022 work and focus.

The ULC Executive Board has proposed a slate of board members for 2022-2023. ULC members will be asked to vote on the slate at the ULC Annual Member Breakfast. Click here to view the ULC Executive Board slate. Registration is required.
BUSINESS VALUE CALCULATOR CHALLENGE
We have extended the ULC 2022 Business Value Calculator Challenge through June 10. The ULC Business Value Calculator enables your library staff to calculate the dollar value of services that you provide to local entrepreneurs and small businesses. Once we aggregate the totals from the challenge, we will share an announcement that showcases what leading urban libraries are doing across North America to strengthen their local economies.
 
Need inspiration? Read ULC’s latest blog post on Do Space’s calculated value of $450,000 to the Omaha business community.
 
Join the Challenge Now!
 
  1. Accept the 2022 Business Value Calculator Challenge today by signing up here.
  2. Access the Business Value Calculator on the ULC Knowledge Exchange.
  3. Look to ULC’s support resources for assistance, including watching our Overview Webinar or exploring our User GuideCommunications Guide and Methodology Guide. The Methodology Guide is provides detailed information on how we derived dollar values used in the calculator and alternatives for developing localized values for your library.
  4. Reach out to ULC’s Betsey Suchanic ([email protected]) with any questions you or your team may have. 
  5. Stay tuned for our announcement highlighting the economic value of public libraries to business communities across North America.
NEW ON ULC BLOG
The Library Meets its Makers
Durham County Library

Our latest ULC blog post, authored by Durham County Library’s Daniel Davis, outlines the history of the Maker Movement and highlights ways libraries can offer patrons a thriving space where innovation, education and community are encouraged.
MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
Honored with IMLS National Medal Award
St. Louis County Library

The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced that St. Louis County Library is one of six recipients of the 2022 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. Kristen Sorth, SLCL Director & CEO said, “We are incredibly honored to receive this prestigious award honoring the work of our employees. St. Louis County Library is very proud of our work supporting the region during the pandemic. Together with our community partners, we have provided essential services such as meals, diapers, technology, tutoring, vaccines and rental assistance at our branches. We make it a priority to remove barriers and increase access to library services throughout our region. Libraries move people forward wherever they are in life.”
Growing a Seed Library
Greensboro Public Library

Greensboro Public Library’s associate Luce Hartsock helps grow the Glenwood Branch’s seed library that currently is housed in the top two drawers of a four-foot-tall metal filing cabinet. “I know a lot of folks in recent years have gotten more interested in growing house plants and stuff, so it was just an idea to make plants and sharing the resource of plants more accessible to people,” said Hartsock.
National Indigenous History Month
Toronto Public Library

In honor of National Indigenous History Month in Canada, Toronto Public Library will highlight Indigenous cultures, histories, experiences and perspectives to reflect on Canada’s colonial history. Patrons are encouraged to check out the library’s Read Indigenous and Reading for Reconciliation list, as well as attend programs and support Indigenous musicians at the library.
How to Build a Farmbot
Palo Alto City Library

Watch how Palo Alto City Library’s girls’ robotics team Space Cookies built the agriculture robot Farmbot from scratch! The team went through laborious hours to perfect both robotic design and engineering to modernize the process of harvesting and planting at the library.
SAVE THE DATE! 2022 ULC ANNUAL FORUM
2022 ULC Annual Forum
November 16-18, 2022
DC Public Library, Washington, D.C.

This November, the 2022 ULC Forum will convene our member community in Washington, D.C. Details and registration information are forthcoming!
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
ULC Analytics and Tech Leaders
Member Group Call
June 9 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC Open House During ALA
Open House
June 24 | 1-4 p.m. ET
ULC Member Breakfast
Member Breakfast & Annual Meeting
June 26 | 8:30-10 a.m. ET
ULC Customer Experience Leaders
Member Group Call
June 30 | 3-4 p.m. ET
NEW RESOURCES IN ULC'S MEMBER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
Job Description: Library Manager, Education
Wichita Public Library

Eliminating Overdue Fees Report
Edmonton Public Library

Photography, Recording and Filming Policy
Hartford Public Library

NOW TRENDING ON SOCIAL
Celebrating Pride Month with Member's LGBTQ+ Collections

Happy Pride Month 2022! Check out our Twitter thread highlighting the great Pride resources and collections our member libraries offer year-round!
ULC Kicks Off Lessons from the Field at Cleveland Public Library

Today, we kicked off our Lessons from the Field event with Cleveland Public Library!

Featured Speakers include: 

  • Sonia Alcántara-Antoine, Director, Baltimore County Public Library
  • Paula Brehm-Heeger, Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
  • Melanie Huggins, Executive Director, Richland Library
  • Patrick Losinski, Chief Executive Officer, Columbus Metropolitan Library
  • Tracy Strobel, Executive Director, Cuyahoga County Public Library
Questions?

Contact ULC's Director of Communications Paul Negron at [email protected].