Register for the 2025 ULC Annual Business Meeting
Join ULC's virtual Annual Business Meeting on Thursday, June 12 at 4 p.m. ET. This all-member meeting is an important opportunity to hear from ULC's President & CEO Brooks Rainwater about the state of the organization, ULC's ongoing programmatic work, and important advocacy updates. Members will also be asked to vote on the Board of Directors slate, first proposed on Monday, May 12.
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ULC Academy is Now LIVE!
This new learning platform from the Urban Libraries Council supports library leaders at all levels with dynamic, flexible professional development through live courses, self-paced content, and exclusive webinars. Our first live course offering, Managing from the Middle, is tailor-made for branch managers to sharpen leadership skills and build team confidence. Spots are limited – register for Managing from the Middle by July 1!
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Statement from the Urban Libraries Council on the Dismissal of Dr. Carla Hayden
A visionary leader, Dr. Hayden modernized the Library of Congress, expanded its digital reach, and championed access and transparency. Dr. Hayden worked tirelessly to ensure that this vital institution served not only scholars and policymakers—but all people, in every corner of our country. She also made history as the first woman and first African American to serve in the role—an appointment that carried deep significance for the institution and the nation.
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America’s Public Libraries Support IMLS
The Association for Rural & Small Libraries, the Public Library Association, and the Urban Libraries Council urge the administration and Congress to rescind this recent round of cancellation of grants to state library agencies, libraries, and museums. IMLS must continue to honor appropriated and statutory programs and grants as Congress intended.
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Learn How to Better Support Opportunity Youth in ULC's New Webinar Series
Since 2022, the Urban Libraries Council has proudly led the Creating Youth Opportunities Initiative, a program that directly supports 11 participating libraries to reach more than 411,000 opportunity youth. Join us for an engaging three-part webinar series designed to empower every member of your library team to better support opportunity youth. This series brings together experienced library leaders and innovators who share real-world examples and actionable strategies tailored to the unique needs of vulnerable teens.
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Put Numbers Behind Your Library’s Impact—Explore the Updated BVC Today!
ULC’s updated Business Value Calculator (BVC) helps libraries put real numbers behind the contributions of libraries’ business services—strengthening advocacy efforts and making a compelling case for continued investment. Want to learn about how ULC members have used the updated BVC? See the new BVC Impact Report to read about seven ULC libraries that have used the updated tool to calculate their business services value—a total value of over $17 Million!
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Creating a Culture of Belonging Webinar Series
In this multi-part webinar series from ULC, experts in the library field will share their insights and progress on the journey to creating a culture of belonging. Participants will explore topics such as understanding library history, building diverse teams, and fostering an environment where all employees feel valued and respected.
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ULC Releases 2024 Library Insights Report with Latest Library Data & Trends
ULC is proud to share the latest urban library data and trends in patron engagement in the 2024 Library Insights Report. Informed by data collected in the second-annual Library Insights Survey, the report offers a data-informed view of post-pandemic performance for urban public libraries across the U.S. and Canada. Responses from 115 ULC member libraries, representing nearly 2,300 locations and serving over 87.5 million people, shaped this year's findings.
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"A Guide to Engaging Elected Officials and Cultivating Library Advocates in Government"
Urban Libraries Council’s newest toolkit is crafted to help library professionals build strong relationships with elected officials, demonstrating firsthand the vital role libraries play in literacy, information access, and lifelong learning. It provides step-by-step guidance to plan impactful visits, including customizable outreach templates and a detailed checklist to ensure a memorable experience for visiting officials.
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Leadership Brief: Effective Strategies and Models for Urban Libraries Addressing Homelessness
ULC's newest Leadership Brief is a compilation of best practices designed to help libraries better serve those experiencing homelessness in their communities. Informed by library leaders across the U.S. and Canada, the report recommends that community partnerships, staff development, and intentional physical design, can better support both unhoused patrons and the library staff who serve them.
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For over 50 years, the Urban Libraries Council has served as an outcomes-driven research and innovations network of more than 180 leading North American public libraries.
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