Introducing ULC's Civic Makers Lab for Youth (15-18)
Applications are now open for the new Civic Makers Lab for Youth (15-18), a coordinated network of U.S. Carnegie libraries that will empower young people to practice democracy and lead community change. The 10 selected libraries will receive $25,000 of program support funds, staff professional development opportunities, and more. This program is only open to ULC-member libraries that are U.S.-based and have an operating Carnegie library. Applications are due on May 27. Apply now or register for our info session on May 12.
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Webinar | Building the Modern Library: Using Quest to Power Your Digital Hub
Libraries are evolving to meet growing expectations around technology, access, and engagement. In this session, Emery McTindal from Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, a ULC member library, shares how they piloted Launchpad Quest as part of a broader effort to innovate services and align with strategic priorities. With insights from Playaway Product’s VP of Product & Marketing, learn how Quest was incorporated into core library work, from supporting summer reading to enhancing digital experiences. The session will highlight implementation strategies, partnerships, and outcomes, offering replicable ideas for libraries looking to expand their impact through technology.
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Webinar | Civic Season at the Library: Bringing Civic-Minded Programs to Your Community
Curious about how to engage with Civic Season? Not sure what Civic Season is? David Quick of the DC Public Library and Adam Rozan of the National Museum of American History will discuss Made by Us's annual CivicSeason, which focuses on bringing civic-minded programming to your community. Our speakers will discuss the background of Civic Season and Made By Us, highlight existing partners, and outline ways you can engage with the program. This is a great opportunity to engage your community and join a beautiful network of libraries, museums, and organizations across the country.
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ULC Announces Library Recipients of Civic Makers Lab for Adults Grants
The Urban Libraries Council is proud to announce the 10 recipients of its Civic Makers Lab for Adults grant, an initiative that equips librarians to serve as civic learning facilitators, and empowers young adults ages 18-24 to be active contributors to their communities. The libraries selected will use the grant to implement young adult civic learning experiences such as simulations, community design challenges, project-based civic action, and civic awareness campaigns, including a small pilot project and a larger project.
Press Release
Explore the 2025 ULC Impact Report Now!
The Urban Libraries Council 2025 Impact Report showcases the very best of ULC: from celebrating our ever-growing membership and the convening of hundreds of library leaders at our flagship events to cohort-led initiatives and measuring the myriad ways libraries give back to their communities. Dive into the 2025 Impact Report to get all the details of ULC's work during 2025 and learn how libraries all over North America are driving innovation for the field.
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Now Announcing the 2025 Innovations Initiative Winners!
The Urban Libraries Council is thrilled to announce the 2025 Innovations Initiative "Top Innovators" and "Honorable Mentions." These honorees are awarded for the originality of their work, demonstrating measurable outcomes, and showing the potential for other libraries to replicate and implement similar programs.
View the Winners Showcase
New Publication | Unlocking Teen Potential: How Public Libraries Productively Engage Opportunity Youth
ULC is proud to announce the release of our newest white paper, Unlocking Teen Potential: How Public Libraries Productively Engage Opportunity Youth. This publication highlights insights and impact from 11 ULC member libraries that participated in our three-year Creating Youth Opportunities initiative, supported by the Walmart Foundation. From 2022–2025, the CYO cohort designed, tested, and implemented innovative, locally tailored programs to support opportunity youth—helping reconnect teens and young adults to education, employment, and supportive networks.
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2025 Library Insights Report Now Available!
The Urban Libraries Council’s 2025 Library Insights Report captures how urban libraries are evolving to meet community needs, revealing continued growth in both in-person and digital engagement. Now in its third year, the Library Insights Survey draws on four years of member data to illuminate trends in library programs, staffing, budgets, and operations—offering a clear picture of where libraries are today and how they’re shaping the future.
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New Case Study on AI in Libraries from CTG UAlbany
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. Just published in November, the third case study of this project reports how Palo Alto City Library introduced AI initiatives, particularly in the form of robotics programs for youth. The case study reviews the library's AI programming and the benefits associated with implementation.
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New ULC Analysis: Downtown Libraries Are Driving City Revitalization
In-person visits at major city central libraries have risen significantly, and those visits are driving patrons to local businesses and area attractions, according to a new data analysis from the Urban Libraries Council (ULC). Using innovative anonymized data techniques, ULC looked at five flagship library branches in major cities across the country — Austin, Boston, Chicago, Jacksonville, and San Francisco — in order to assess how visits to the library influenced visits to other nearby community offerings. Read the analysis now.
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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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