This Week at ULC
Newsletter | May 12, 2021
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ULC LIBRARIES CELEBRATING ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE |
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In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the U.S. and Asian Heritage Month in Canada, libraries across ULC’s membership are engaging their communities in activities that honor the lives, contributions and diverse cultural traditions, identities and ethnicities of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and Canadians.
All month long, we will highlight member library voices and work through our newsletter and social media. Below are just a few of the many amazing stories our members have shared so far:
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DC Public Library is partnering with the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs and the Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs to offer a viewing of “Eat With Me,” a film about a mother and her estranged gay son reconnecting and growing together as the son's Chinese restaurant faces foreclosure.
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Halifax Public Libraries (N.S.) is hosting a virtual K-pop trivia event for participants to test their knowledge about South Korea’s popular musical genre.
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Palo Alto City Library (Calif.) is hosting a virtual author event with Jeanette Arakawa who will discuss her autobiographical novel, The Little Exile, based on her own experience as an internee in the 1940s at the Rohwer War Relocation Center in Arkansas.
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Toronto Public Library (Ont.) is hosting a virtual panel of celebrated Asian cultural leaders and award-winning artists who will discuss how they've navigated and succeeded in the world of performing arts.
We look forward to sharing more highlights throughout the month! If you have suggested articles, blog posts or photos showcasing your events/programming, please be sure to send them to media@urbanlibraries.org.
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AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT RESOURCES |
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ULC continues to follow the developments around the American Rescue Plan Act and potential funding opportunities for ULC member libraries and the communities we serve.
FCC to Launch $7.17 Billion Connectivity Fund Program
On May 11, the Federal Communications Commission unanimously adopted final rules to implement the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. This $7.17 billion program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, will enable schools and libraries to purchase laptop and tablet computers, Wi-Fi hotspots and broadband connectivity for students, school staff and library patrons in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the final rules here.
Funds for Learning E-rate Applicant Survey
Funds for Learning is gathering feedback regarding the E-rate program from library officials with working knowledge of the program. The survey is open through May 15, 2021, with responses solicited to help shape the future of the E-rate program. Fill out the survey here.
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UPCOMING ULC WEBINAR MAY 25 |
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Evidence-Based Planning for Summer Learning Success
Kansas City Public Library, Roanoke County Public Library
Summer 2021 offers a brief and vital window for libraries to help local youth catch up and stay engaged in learning. With so much at stake, it is critical for libraries to build their summer programs by using concrete evidence and not rely on instinct or routine. Join ULC on Tuesday, May 25 at 1 p.m. ET to hear how Kansas City Public Library and Roanoke County Public Library are using data to learn from their pandemic programming, assess needs and prepare for stronger learning outcomes in Summer 2021.
You will learn how Kansas City Public Library’s data capturing revealed summer program successes and failures and how metrics helped the library transition its design thinking approach from theory into practice. KCPL’s team will share how program prototyping has helped them strengthen outcomes, including keeping a 30-year-old program popular.
You will also learn how Roanoke County Public Library used data collection on virtual programs, curbside kits and social media content to thrive last summer, in the midst of the pandemic. The RCPL team will discuss how data informed the marketing for programs and services and the success of their virtual content, including measurement of engagement. They will also share why and how data has become “the decider” when it comes to whether or not a program will continue or needs to be redeveloped.
Featuring
- Crystal Faris, Director of Youth & Family Engagement, Kansas City Public Library
- Caitlin Joy Gills, Marketing Manager, Roanoke County Public Library
- Darlene Smithwick, Public Services Coordinator, Roanoke County Public Library
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Pictured: Matthew Brandon (middle) and his foster parents Shannon Berard-Gardiner and Chris Gardiner who took part in the Regina Public Library blog project. |
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Documenting Heartfelt Stories from Regina Bookworms
Regina Public Library
Regina Public Library recently launched the second phase of its blog series about bookworms and their special memories of the library. The project is now open to the greater public and is aimed at documenting how the library has bettered the lives of the community. “What we’re looking for is those special stories from people, who, over the years, have used the library in some way to enhance their lives, enrich their lives, support them in their professional endeavors,” said RPL Manager of Marketing and Communications Colleen Hawkesford.
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Pictured: Aerial view of the Wichita Western League Baseball Park on Ackerman Island, date unknown. |
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Celebrating Wichita's Diverse History of Baseball
Wichita Public Library
Wichita Public Library is partnering with Humanities Kansas, the Kansas African American Museum, Urban Professionals and other organizations to present programming and informative exhibitions about the diverse history of baseball in Wichita. As part of this "Candid Conversations" series, the library has also launched a web page offering historical information and links for further reading.
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Cedar Rapids Debuts New Mobile Technology Lab
Cedar Rapids Public Library
Cedar Rapids Public Library’s new Mobile Technology Lab features a variety of accessible technology, including laptops, e-readers and Ozobots – tiny robots designed to help kids learn coding. The new van will visit four parks per week through the summer, and then continue to be used during the fall for school and community programming. “If we want to be a truly equitable, accessible library, we can’t expect, in a 72-square-mile city, for people to come to one of two locations,” said Programming Manager Kevin Delecki.
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Positioning the Library to Advance Community Aspirations
Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library
Read our interview with EVPL Social Impact Research Manager Charles Sutton and Engagement Manager Kassidy Kinner to discover how Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library is using the Edge program to advance its work to improve digital equity and redefine its leadership role in the community.
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5 Ways Libraries Can Help Local Businesses During the Pandemic
Markham Public Library
In a ULC blog post written by Publicity & Social Media Marketing Manager Karen Yang and Business Community Librarian Abdullah Yossofzai, learn how Markham Public Library developed a comprehensive set of resources, programs and a marketing campaign to help local small businesses during COVID-19.
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Putting People at the Heart of Dynamic Services
Scottsdale Public Library
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Scottsdale Public Library developed a new strategic plan that incorporated the needs of its community and staff after extensive changes in management. Through more than 2,000 surveys, focus groups and interviews, the library was able to create a new mission (putting people at the heart of dynamic library services) and vision (to preserve the past, enrich the present and illuminate the future).
Results show improved customer service through easy, convenient access to materials/resources was key for the public and the need for improved internal communication, increased training and feeling valued were key for staff.
Click here to learn more about this groundbreaking work and click here to review all 260 submissions to the 2020 Innovations Initiative.
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DIGITAL NAVIGATORS UPDATE |
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Preparing Multilingual Communities for the Digital Future
Salt Lake City Public Library, National Digital Inclusion Alliance
SLCPL’s Digital Inclusion Coordinator Shauna Edson and NDIA’s Paolo Balboa were featured panelists during a recent Net Inclusion webinar, speaking about the skills needed to become a digital navigator and the importance of encouraging multilingualism among digital navigators to help facilitate better inclusion in digital adoption. “Speaking Spanish is a huge plus for digital navigators in Salt Lake City, as many of our focused neighborhoods needing to be connected to broadband speak the language,” said Edson.
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NEW ON ULC'S MEMBER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE |
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Anchorage Public Library Foundation
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Scottsdale Public Library
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ULC Education Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
May 18 | 2-3 p.m. ET
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ULC Communications and Marketing Leaders
Member Group Conference Call
May 19 | Noon-1 p.m. ET
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Evidence-Based Planning for Summer Learning Success
Webinar
May 25 | 1-2 p.m. ET
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ULC Development Professionals
Member Group Conference Call
May 26 | 3-4 p.m. ET
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Cary Memorial Library
Thanks to Cary Memorial Library for being the latest library to sign our Statement on Race and Social Equity! Find out how 208 Public Libraries are actively working to foster a more just and inclusive world.
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