This Week at ULC
Newsletter | June 29, 2022
ANNOUNCING ULC'S NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD
Pictured: ULC members convening during ULC's Annual Member Breakfast on June 26.
Members Elect New Officers and Board Members
2022-2023 ULC Executive Board

Thank you to everyone who joined us this past week in Washington, D.C., for our Open House and Annual Member Breakfast during the ALA Annual Conference.

During our Member Breakfast on June 26, 85 leaders from ULC member libraries convened to elect former mayor of Nashville Karl Dean as the new chair of ULC's Executive Board. Attendees also elected Heidi Daniel and Grace Nordhoff as new ULC Executive Board members.
Karl Dean
Karl Dean

Karl Dean served from 2007 to 2015 as the sixth mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. Karl first held public office when he was elected as Nashville’s Public Defender in 1990, a post he was reelected to in 1994 and 1998.
Heidi Daniel
Heidi Daniel

Heidi Daniel joined the Enoch Pratt Free Library as president and CEO in July 2017. Ms. Daniel is focused on leading Pratt into the future by breaking down barriers of access for the people of Baltimore and the state of Maryland. In 2018, she led the Pratt to becoming one of the first fine free public library systems on the East Coast. She also managed the $115 million renovation and reopening of the historic Central Library. 
Grace Nordhoff
Grace Nordhoff

Grace Nordhoff grew up in the Seattle area and then went to college and lived in Durham, N.C. for 25 years. During her time in N.C., Grace worked on the publishing staff of an alternative newspaper, earned her MSW and owned and started a bakery café. From 2000-2002, she served as a founding board member of the Durham Library Foundation.
ULC MEMBER LIBRARIES CELEBRATE NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
July 1 commemorates Canada Day, which celebrates the anniversary of Canadian Confederation which occurred on July 1, 1867. Taking place on July 4, Independence Day in the United States commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence.

ULC member libraries are joining the celebration this year through a wide range of events and resource collections designed to inform and engage local residents. Below are just a few highlights.

  • Alexandria Library is showcasing four patriotic books to read for children that speak about colonial times and the American Revolution. Learn More >

  • Boston Public Library is celebrating the country's birthday with some patriotic tunes! Learn More >

  • Calgary Public Library is hosting a full of events with refreshments, games, film screenings and crafts.. Learn More >

  • East Baton Rouge Parish Library is partnering with the Baton Rouge Concert Band to offer patrons a free 4th of July concert in the plaza! Learn More >

  • Milton Public Library offers resources about Canada Day including print resources, citizenship tests and electronic resources. Learn More >
NEW ON THE ULC BLOG
Parks and Libraries for All Forever
San Francisco Public Library, National Park Service

San Francisco Public Library and the National Park Service have forged a strong partnership to increase access and awareness of parks and libraries for all. In our latest ULC blog co-written by SFPL's Christy Estrovitz and NPS's Fatima Colindres, learn how collaboration has helped the community welcome inclusivity and education.
Fatima Colindres
"I just love the San Francisco Public Library and how they’ve given me a voice to be able to make these programs a reality and giving space to all these people that are here to tell their stories so it wasn’t in vain. So that the younger generations can know who they are, where they come from and what are their roots. When you feel rooted in something special, then it empowers you."

— Fatima Colindres, National Park Service Ranger
MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
Better Toledo Personal and Professional Development Series
Toledo Lucas County Public Library

Toledo Lucas County Public Library's new series — “Better Toledo” — offers personal and professional development programs to ensure patrons will “do better in Toledo.” Beginning in July, these free events include classes on meditation for wellness, LGBTQ+ allyship and emotional intelligence.
Offering Drag Queen Story Hour to Patrons
Alameda County Library

Drag queen performer King Art Babe participated in a recent Drag Queen Story Hour event at Castro Valley Library where she shared stories and songs with a fun, positive message in honor of Pride Month. The return of Drag Queen Story Hour events to Alameda County Library came after authorities say a group of apparent Proud Boys members barged into a similar reading earlier this month in San Lorenzo and spewed homophobic slurs at another performer. “It’s more important that we don’t let hate win,” said King.
Roanoke Goes Fine Free
Roanoke County Public Library

Roanoke Valley Libraries Consortium, consisting of libraries in the local Roanoke area including Roanoke County Public Library, will no longer charge fines for overdue library materials. “Charging late fees can serve as a barrier to accessing library resources,” noted Toni Cox, Acting Director of Roanoke County Public Library. “Vulnerable populations, including children who have limited access to internet, digital devices and transportation are most at risk of accruing late fees.” 
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
ULC Customer Experience Leaders
Member Group Call
June 30 | 3-4 p.m. ET
ULC Social Workers & Public Safety Officers Member Group Call
July 7 | 3-4 p.m. ET
ULC Communications and Marketing Leaders
Member Group Call
July 13 | 3-4 p.m. ET
ULC Analytics and Tech Leaders
Member Group
July 14 | 2-3 p.m. ET
KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE RESOURCES
Photography and Video Policy
Milwaukee Public Library

Ignite Gallery and Art Exhibit Policy
Hamilton East Public Library

Gender-Inclusive Language Style Guide
Madison Public Library

THE FREEDOM TO SPEAK WEBINAR
Censored Authors Speak | Webinar June 29
Every Library

Across the country, books are being banned from school and public libraries at an unprecedented rate, which disproportionately target LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC authors and perspectives. Join Every Library’s panel of authors today as they discuss the rise in censorship and the increased suppression of ideas at 8 p.m. ET.
COMMUNITY IMPACT APPLICATION
Apply Today for the Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize
Library Journal

If your library engages with local government to support the service area’s defined goals, fights for the inclusion of underserved populations and social cohesion and more, you are encouraged to apply! Library Journal’s Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize application closes on July 8, 2022. The winning library will receive $250,000 in unfettered grant monies from the Gerald M. Kline Family Foundation and will also be profiled in the November issue of Library Journal and online.
URBAN LIBRARIANSHIP CONFERENCE JULY 14
The second Library 2.022 mini-conference: "Urban Librarianship: Embracing Challenges and Opportunities through Innovation, Leadership, and Best Practices," will be held online (and for free) on Thursday, July 14, 2022. This event is hosted by Library 2.0 and co-founded by The School of Information at San José State University, and this year features organizational help from Michael Lambert, City Librarian for the City and County of San Francisco. 

Keynote speakers will include:
  • Michael Lambert, City Librarian, San Francisco Public Library
  • Chris Brown, Commissioner, Chicago Public Library
  • Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada, Adult Services Assistant Manager, Palos Verdes Library District
  • Dr. Rhea Lawson, Executive Director, Houston Public Library
  • Kelvin Watson, Executive Director, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District

Session proposals are now being accepted. Registration is free, and full recordings will be made available to all who register after the event.
Questions? Interested in Submitting a Story?

Contact ULC's Director of Communications Paul Negron at pnegron@urbanlibraries.org.