2012 Member Innovations

ULC Innovations Initiative showcases leading “best” and “next” practices that demonstrate the value and impact of public library service in the 21st century. These practices embody ideas, approaches and insights which other libraries can adapt.

ULC member libraries are invited to submit their leading innovations each year in February. Following an early spring deadline, submissions are reviewed by a panel of expert judges whose identities remain anonymous. Top Innovations are selected based on their strength, results achieved and capacity to be replicated.

The work of each year’s Top Innovators is celebrated at the ULC Annual Forum, profiled in a widely disseminated publication and recognized by media organizations both locally and nationally.

2012 Top Innovators

Civic and Community Engagement

I Street: A Community & Writing Publishing Center

I Street Press establishes the library as the community hub for creativity by connecting people, resources and the means to turn their ideas into a meaningful printed product. In addition, I Street offers classes in writing and publishing and gives people a space and a forum to express themselves. Read More ›

The national visibility for our initiatives, services and projects and those of other ULC Innovators is an outstanding way to share new and creative approaches with other libraries around the country. Not only do we and other libraries benefit from the successes of leading libraries, we have seen increased visibility from outside the library world as a result of that recognition. In many ways we feel that the ULC Innovations Initiative is the creative commons that will help libraries flourish."

- Bill Ptacek, King County Library System, WA

Collections

Virtual Information Center

Implement the Virtual information Center (VIC). This department combines all services for customers utilizing the Library’s off-site resources into one customer service unit. Read More ›

Economic and Workforce Development

Workforce 1 Expansion Centers

To help meet the increased need for job placement services, New York City’s three library systems have partnered with the City’s Department of Small Business Services to launch Workforce1 Career Centers within branch library locations. Since opening last fall, three library-based Workforce1 Centers have made 742 job placements. Read More ›

Education, Literacy and Lifelong Learning

Work Wise: Improving Job Performance and Proficiency

Work Wise is a vocational ESL and literacy program to improve the job performance and proficiency of low-skilled, employed workers. Through a combination of classroom instruction and individual tutoring tailored to the specific industry, participants made gains in their English language skills and improved their proficiency on their jobs. Read More ›

Health, Wellness and Safety

Building a Teen Nutrition Program

The San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) and the San Antonio Food Bank (SAFB) have partnered together for seven years. By participating in both its Summer Lunch Program and Kids’ Café Program, SAPL received the guidance and resources to develop a nutrition program for teens within the Library itself. Read More ›

Operations

Open Libraries Initiative

Despite cuts in funding and staffing, Brooklyn Public Library significantly expanded public service hours in September 2011. The expansion was a result of the Open Libraries Initiative, a comprehensive six-month study designed to better understand the impact that recent operational improvements have had on the Library’s ability to deliver service. Read More ›

Organizational Change and Strategic Management

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Strategic Approach to Programming

Library programming is often where libraries have opportunities for tremendous impact. Following dramatic budget reductions, in early 2011 Charlotte Mecklenburg Library was challenged to create a library programming plan responsive to recommendations of the Future of the Library Task Force, including more focused programming and full costing of program delivery. Read More ›

Positioning the Library

Take Time To READ

Americans are spending less time reading for enjoyment. This reduces their opportunities for discovering new ideas, encountering skillful writing, learning new skills, and feeding their imagination. Furthermore, adults who read for pleasure inspire children to read. KCLS set out to make active reading a community priority throughout its service area.