Back By Popular Demand: Data Analytics 101 for Library Professionals
In today's library world, staff are often asked to use, and even lead, data analysis work without ever receiving solid training. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to build on your skills, Data Analytics 101 will guide you through the full data process—from framing a good question to presenting your findings with impact. In this 4-session workshop series, ULC's Research & Data Analyst Corissa Goodrich will provide library leaders with the information they need to advance their library’s data strategy.
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Upcoming Webinar: Promoting Civic Discourse in Public Libraries
Over the last 18 months, ULC has partnered with Everyday Democracy to train 50 library leaders in multi-partial facilitation. Now, in our upcoming webinar, hear from 12 libraries across the U.S. and Canada that put that training into action. In this webinar, library leaders will share the conversations they hosted, what they learned and the impact they saw in their communities. Everyday Democracy will also share themes from across the cohort and practical ideas for bringing community dialogue to your library.
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Jumpstart Your Safe Routes to Libraries Planning With ULC's GIS Mapping Tool & Tip Sheet
As part of ULC's collaboration with the Safe Routes Partnership, we are excited to announce a new resource as part of the Safe Routes to Libraries initiative. The Urban Libraries Council's Safe Routes to Libraries GIS Mapping Tool & accompanying Tip Sheet help public libraries and local governments better understand the existing infrastructure supporting pedestrian, bike, scooter, and transit access to libraries, while also setting a baseline for opportunities to improve access. These resources are part of ULC's larger Safe Routes to Libraries resource package, which includes the previously published Safe Routes to Libraries Impact Brief.
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The 2026 Innovations Initiative is Open Now!
The 2026 ULC Innovations Initiative is NOW OPEN for submissions. All active Urban Libraries Council member libraries can participate. Entries should feature library programs, initiatives and transformative ideas that launched between July 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026, or achieved significant breakthroughs during that time. Submissions will close on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
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Register Now for the 2026 ULC Annual Leadership Forum!
The 2026 ULC Annual Leadership Forum, "In Demand: The People and Power of Public Libraries", will bring ULC members together in Las Vegas for a high-energy, highly interactive gathering focused on relevance, leadership, communication, staff strength and community value. Hosted in partnership with the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, this year’s Forum will create space for ULC members to sharpen the message, strengthen the teams behind the work and make library value impossible to miss.
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ULC Announces Andrew Carnegie Foundation-Funded Civic Makers Lab for Youth Library Grantees
The Urban Libraries Council (ULC) is proud to announce the 10 participating member libraries for its Civic Makers Lab for Youth (15-18) project, made possible by a generous grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, formerly Carnegie Corporation of New York. The participating libraries will offer hands-on civic learning experiences that complement school education, and partner with community organizations and families to deepen civic impact.
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"Messaging the E-books Crisis: A Communications Toolkit for ULC Libraries"
ULC is excited to share our new E-books Toolkit to help our members educate and inform the public, local leaders, and authors about how public libraries are affected by e-books licensing models and prices, and what they can do about it. It’s full of facts, messaging, resources like social media templates and an op-ed example, and most importantly, informed by the voices of libraries themselves, with a wealth of examples from libraries already speaking publicly about the e-books crisis.
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Announcing the 2026-2027 ULC Board of Directors
In ULC's virtual Annual Business Meeting on Thursday, June 11, ULC members confirmed the 2026-2027 Board of Directors. We are thrilled to announce the election of 4 Board Officers, 1 new Board Member, and the reelection of several returning Board Members!
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ULC Joins Leading Public Library Organizations to Call for E-book Action
ULC joins our peers at the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL), the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), Canadian Urban Libraries Council / Conseil des Bibliothèques Urbaines du Canada (CULC/CBUC), and the Public Library Association (PLA) to publicly call attention to the e-books pricing crisis and demand change from the largest publishers. This effort matters because it sends a message that, as organizations advocating for and representing nearly all public libraries in the US and Canada – small and large, urban and rural, and everything in between – we stand united for change while open for dialogue, at a moment when states are turning up the pressure on publishers with legislative efforts.
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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 190 leading North American public libraries.
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Support the Urban Library Leader
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Drive Advocacy for Urban Libraries
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ULC provides a forum for library leaders to share best practices and innovative ideas that inspire programs that support 21st century learning, a strong economy and an active democracy.
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