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2023 ULC Annual Forum: People, Power, Place

The 2023 ULC Annual Forum: People, Power, Place — Today’s Urban Public Library — is happening October 25-27, 2023 in Seattle, WA! Learn more about the featured speakers, sessions and attending libraries at the link below.

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Mapping Summer Learning Equity

This summer, nearly 100 libraries and other organizations signed on to ULC’s Statement on Summer Learning and committed to advancing equity through expanded summer learning programs targeted to historically excluded youth. To celebrate an incredible turnout for the first summer of ULC's Building Equity: Amplify Summer Learning initiative, ULC developed an interactive map to highlight what these ideas look like when they’re implemented by libraries.

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The Fundamentals of Learning & Building Community

Read ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater's monthly message to membership, with updates on recent back-to-school programs, providing free entrepreneurial and creative resources, and connecting with other leaders in the field.

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Four Libraries Pilot Community Engagement Programs with Local Barbershops

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Cleveland Public Library, Columbus Metropolitan Library and Shreve Memorial Library are participating in the Barbershop Books Pilot for Libraries​, an initiative in partnership with ULCl and Barbershop Books​ and supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

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Leadership Brief: Libraries as Cornerstones of Democracy

Informed by the work of ULC's Democracy Advocacy Group, this Leadership Brief highlights the core areas libraries can focus on to increase their reach in promoting a more democratic community, as outlined in the Declaration of Democracy.

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Declaration of Democracy

ULC member libraries and supporting organizations are working to build policies and actions that preserve and protect democracy in our communities.

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Libraries Build Tailored Program Plans to Improve Youth Outcomes

Eleven representatives from leading libraries gathered in Washington, D.C. from May 31 to June 2, 2023, for a convening focused on developing program plans that will effectively serve opportunity youth. Opportunity youth are at the highest risk of involvement with the criminal justice system.

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White Paper: Libraries as Spaces for Innovation and Productivity

ULC’s newest White Paper explores the importance of libraries as places of congregation in a post-pandemic world and offers recommendations of ways the value of libraries as spaces for innovation and productivity can be emphasized.

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Public Libraries as Critical Spaces for Convening

Hear from ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater about the importance of libraries as physical convening spaces. Through creative development of these spaces, libraries can contribute to the wellness, civic engagement, and productivity of their communities.

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Libraries Serve Youth at Risk of Incarceration

With the support of the Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity, ULC is working to build a body of research on how libraries are working with African American youth. This initiative is called Creating Youth Opportunities.

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Statement on Summer Learning

Summertime reveals significant inequities for many and the time to act is now. ULC joins the National Summer Learning Association in issuing a call to action on summer equity.

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2023 Innovations Initiative

The honorees for the 2023 Innovations Initiative have been named! The panel of judges selected a Top Innovator and Honorable Mention from each category. See the list of winners now!

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For 50 years, the Urban Libraries Council has served as an outcomes-driven research and innovations network of more than 170 leading North American public libraries.

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Impact Stories

Discover how ULC member libraries invigorate and inspire public libraries on our blog.

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Find out the latest news and updates on the vital issues facing ULC members.

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Innovations

Get inspired by cutting-edge work that addresses key issues among the ULC membership.

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Edge 360

New benchmarks for anti-racism, digital equity, economic opportunity and education.

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Education

Education transforms the lives of individuals and is the foundation for strong, economically vital communities. In the knowledge economy, the library is the learning institution ready to guide and support citizens at every age and level of need.

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Digital Equity

Libraries are critical anchors for digital access and equity in local communities. For millions of people, libraries are their gateway to the digital universe and digital readiness.

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Healthy, Sustainable Communities

Libraries are powerful partners for creating healthy, sustainable communities. With local government, business and other community organizations, libraries are key players in a strong economy, a healthy environment and racial/social equity.

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The Voice of Public Libraries

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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