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ULC Member News
Newsletter | September 25, 2024
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2024 Innovations Awards Announcement | |
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2024 ULC Innovations Awards | Winners Announcement
Save the Date: Thursday, October 3, 2024
Thank you to the nearly 100 ULC member libraries who participated in this year's Innovations Initiative. Our expansive archive of unique, detailed and replicable library projects now has nearly 250 more ideas for all ULC members to explore. Visit the Innovations Initiative section of the ULC website to find inspiration from this year's entries.
The judging for this year's Top Innovators and Honorable Mentions has concluded. Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 3, 2024, when we'll announce the winners. A video showcase will highlight the selected winners for all members to view and celebrate.
Stay tuned for more details, including the official stream link and when to tune in.
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ULC Members Featured in New Report on AI | |
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Members featured in new report on AI and libraries
University at Albany's Center for Technology in Government
ULC and the University at Albany’s Center for Technology in Government (CTG UAlbany) are partnering to examine how libraries can empower communities to better understand Artificial Intelligence and ensure its ethical design and application. The first report from this three-year research project is now available online, along with an interactive map.
In a review of libraries across the U.S., ULC, and our research partners identified two main purposes of public library AI programs: raising awareness of AI and developing AI competencies. We found that while public libraries are purposefully raising AI awareness and training patrons through various programs, these efforts are often one-off events. The report recommends that libraries should implement long-term AI training programs, including tailored initiatives for marginalized communities disproportionately affected by AI applications, to increase their impact.
Follow this link to learn more about how public libraries, including 25 ULC members, are raising awareness about AI and promoting inclusive engagement of its use and application.
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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | |
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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
A message from ULC Board Chair Pilar Martinez, Chief Executive Officer, Edmonton Public Library
As we approach Canada's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30, I want to reflect on the critical role that public libraries play in acknowledging the truths of Indigenous peoples and supporting the ongoing journey toward reconciliation. As the CEO of Edmonton Public Library, I've witnessed firsthand the impact that libraries can have in promoting awareness and reflection while supporting their communities around this important day.
For our American colleagues, I'd like to provide some context. In Canada, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day dedicated to reflection and remembrance of the Indigenous children who never returned home as well as Survivors, their families and communities. Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in residential schools, where they suffered physical and emotional abuse and were forced to abandon their languages and cultures. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, established in 2008, documented survivors’ experiences and issued 94 Calls to Action to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance reconciliation. Canadian libraries have played an active role in the reconciliation process by hosting programs that highlight and honour Indigenous topics and by creating inclusive spaces for Indigenous communities to share their stories, preserve their cultures, and access resources and services. [CONTINUE READING]
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*NEW* Leadership Brief from ULC | |
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The Role of Libraries as Public Spaces in Countering Misinformation, Disinformation, and Social Isolation in the Age of Generative AI
New ULC Leadership Brief
The rise of artificial intelligence, especially generative AI, has dramatically increased the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation in our daily lives. At the same time, social isolation continues to be a concerning issue facing our communities. Despite these challenges, a new Leadership Brief from the Urban Libraries Council examines how public libraries are uniquely positioned to combat both issues by promoting digital literacy and fostering community connections.
The Leadership Brief guides readers through the intersection of misinformation, disinformation and social connectedness. It also charts recent developments in the unprecedented expansion of falsified information and examines the ability of public spaces to cultivate social connectedness and civic engagement.
For ULC members, the Leadership Brief includes recommendations on how to navigate this evolving landscape and offers direct examples of libraries already doing this work. Specifically, libraries can enhance their efforts by updating digital literacy curricula to address AI-related challenges, creating resources to identify misinformation, and designing programs that raise awareness about misinformation and civic engagement.
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New ‘Science of Reading’ Toolkit Available | |
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Science of Reading Toolkit: Evidence-Based Approaches for Public Libraries
New Resource from ULC
At a time when reading proficiency levels for students in the United States and Canada are in a decline, libraries can play a critical role in advancing literacy and ensuring equitable access to quality education. To support this work, the Urban Libraries Council developed a Science of Reading Toolkit with guidance on implementing evidence-based reading strategies that can make a meaningful difference in the lives of young readers.
The toolkit is structured around key components essential for creating impactful youth literacy programs and recommended strategies for your library to take. By embracing these evidence-based approaches, libraries can ensure that their services are inclusive, relevant, and effective, ultimately fostering a more literate and empowered community. Every child deserves the opportunity to become a confident and capable reader, and this toolkit is a vital resource in achieving that goal.
Be sure to also bookmark ULC’s Science of Reading section of our website to access all available resources on this topic, including key takeaways from our recent webinar, “Unlocking Literacy: Five Action Steps for Implementing the Science of Reading into Summer Programs at Your Library.”
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ULC’s Science of Reading work is generously supported by Baker & Taylor. | |
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Celebrating Banned Books Week
ULC Member Libraries
It is Banned Books Week! As a network of over 180 urban library systems all across North America and a proud Unite Against Book Bans partner, the Urban Libraries Council joins our library peers to come together, celebrate the right to read, and find freedom in the pages of a book. See what some of ULC's member libraries — and their leaders — have been doing to promote this important week:
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The Seattle Times: "Books don’t harm young people. Book bans do."
The Seattle Public Library | Executive Director and Chief Librarian Tom Fay
"As we look to celebrate Banned Books Week, it is a good time to assess Seattle’s own effort to fight censorship and champion the freedom to read. The results are impressive. Since The Seattle Public Library launched the nation’s second Books Unbanned initiative in April 2023, more than 10,000 young people from across the U.S. have signed up for a free e-card from SPL that allows them access to its collection of digital books. To put that in perspective, it is as if the library built a new branch and welcomed thousands of teen and young adult readers through the doors. But instead of a new building, this program has been built by positive word-of-mouth and voracious young readers." READ MORE.
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NPR's Morning Edition: "Banned Books Week: Effort to document and highlight support of the freedom to read."
Hoboken Public Library | Library Director Jennie Pu
Jennie Pu, New Jersey’s librarian of the year, talks with NPR's Steve Inskeep about new estimates on the number of book bans happening across the country, and what's being done to offset them: "What's remarkable is, you know, the majority of Americans actually don't support censorship and it's across the political spectrum. So what we're seeing being enacted is really still a handful of people who are motivated, driven by a political agenda, really trying to suppress and deny our basic rights, our civil rights, freedom to speech, freedom to thought. And, frankly, we've had enough. And we're fighting back in the courts and in everyday, you know, action in our libraries and our lives." READ MORE.
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WYPR News: "Baltimore County’s library chief says book banning remains a threat"
Baltimore County Public Library | CEO Sonia Alcantara-Antoine
"According to the ALA, nearly half of the books being challenged nationwide are about LGBTQ issues or topics involving race. 'That’s not a coincidence,' Alcántara-Antoine said. 'I think that there is an attempt to silence or suppress voices, people who do not fit into a certain box or a certain category.' She said a library collection is a marketplace of ideas. 'Libraries don’t tell you what to think but through reading you can learn to think for yourself.'" READ MORE.
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LJ Movers & Shakers 2025: Nominations Open | |
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LJ Movers & Shakers 2025: Nominations Open
Submit by October 18, 2024
The editors of Library Journal need your help in identifying emerging talents in the library world—both great leaders and behind-the-scenes contributors who are providing inspiration and model programs for others.
LJ's 23rd annual round of Movers & Shakers will profile up-and-coming individuals from around the world who are innovative, creative, making a difference fighting against censorship, and helping improve their workplace. From librarians and non-degreed library workers to publishers, vendors, coders, entrepreneurs, reviewers, and others who impact the library field—Movers & Shakers 2025 will celebrate those people who are moving all types of libraries ahead!
Nominations are due by October 18, 2024.
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