This Week at ULC
Newsletter | April 13, 2022
SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION
Virtual Storytime Conference
Vancouver Public Library

Considering how important Vancouver Public Library’s Early Language and Literacy workshops were to the community, VPL shifted their in-person storytime conference online due to the pandemic. Using a patron-focused approach, VPL emailed registered participants to connect their early learning mandate with their digital literacy goals. The virtual conference reached a maximum of 80 attendees and their integration of Indigenous content into childcare practice received positive responses.
ROLE OF LIBRARIES IN THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECOSYSTEM
Knology, a social science research and evaluation nonprofit, conducted a national survey to understand the role libraries play in their local entrepreneurship ecosystem. This survey was part of an effort to evaluate ULC’s Strengthening Libraries as Entrepreneurial Hubs that is funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Knology was commissioned by the Kauffman Foundation to develop library case studies that illustrate how entrepreneurship programming practices are supporting library users. Knology shared key findings in a recently published article, “Library Entrepreneurship Programming: What the Public Knows.”
MEMBER NEWS ROUNDUP
Pictured (left to right): Jeffrey Brown, PBS and Austin Public Library Director Roosevelt Weeks
Libraries at the Forefront of Book Banning
Austin Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library

ULC Executive Board member and Austin Public Library Director Roosevelt Weeks was recently interviewed by PBS NewsHour for a piece on the national trend of book banning. Weeks stated, "Libraries, I believe, are one of the last bastion of democracy. And that's being attacked," said Weeks.

As more and more school districts ban books from their classrooms and libraries, Brooklyn Public Library is sharing its resources with teens around the country to fight encroaching censorship. “We are offering them a free out-of-state e-card which gives them access to about half a million audiobooks and e-books in our system in Brooklyn Public Library. Unrestricted totally for free,” said Nick Higgins, Brooklyn Public Library Chief Librarian during an interview with NPR.

In response to unprecedented book banning efforts nationwide, NYPL is making a selection of commonly banned books freely available to anyone in the country thanks to a partnership with publishers Hachette Book Group, Macmillan Publishers and Scholastic. “The Library’s role is to make sure no perspective, no idea, no identity is erased. People have the right to read or not read what they want, but those books need to be available—for the teen who has questions and wants to privately find answers; for the adult who is curious about subjects for which they have no personal experience; for those who want to do their own research and make informed decisions based on fact,” said New York Public Library President Tony Marx.
ULC Libraries Named IMLS Medal Finalists
St. Louis County Library, Central Arkansas Library System, Miami-Dade Public Library System, Glendale Library Arts & Culture

The Institute of Museum and Library Services recently announced the 30 finalists for the 2022 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Congratulations to ULC member libraries St. Louis County Library, Central Arkansas Library System, Miami-Dade Public Library System and Glendale Library, Arts & Culture for being named as finalists and demonstrating excellence in service to their communities!
Library Patrons Earn Free Access to State Parks
California State Library

California State Library cardholders are now able to visit over 200 state parks for free! The Parks Pass gives cardholders a free vehicle day-use pass in honor of National Library Week, which can fit up to nine people inside. Aiming to expand park pass distributions, the $9.1 million state-funded program hopes to benefit the youth in disadvantaged communities.
Talking Urban Libraries on DCPL's Podcast
DC Public Library

ULC President and CEO Susan Benton joined DC Public Library Executive Director and ULC Executive Board member Rich Reyes-Gavilan on DCPL's Podcast in early March. DCPL Adult Services Coordinator David Quick moderated the wide-ranging conversation which centered around ULC’s mission, DCPL’s work, reflections on the current state of public libraries and thoughts from Benton as she transitions from ULC’s leadership role. 
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
ULC Social Workers and Public Safety Officers
Member Group Call
April 13 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC Development Professionals
Member Group Call
April 13 | 3-4 p.m. ET
ULC Communications and Marketing Leaders
Member Group Call
April 20 | 3-4 p.m. ET
ULC Analytics and Tech Leaders
Member Group Call
April 21 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC Education Leaders Call
Member Group Call
April 25 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC EDI Officers
Member Group Call
April 28 | 2-3 p.m. ET
ULC Customer Experience Leaders
Member Group Call
April 28 | 3-4 p.m. ET
NEW RESOURCES IN ULC'S MEMBER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
Strategic Performance Dashboard
Austin Public Library

Learning Services Standards
Jacksonville Public Library

2021 Annual Report
Pima County Public Library

NOW TRENDING ON SOCIAL
ULC Librarians Recommend Their Favorite Books

Check out books recommended by librarians in honor of National Library Week’s theme “Connect With your Library!” Featured libraries include Cleveland Public Library, Boston Public Library, Seattle Public Library, Scottsdale Public Library, Marin County Free Library and Sacramento Public Library.
Questions?

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