As you wrap up summer programming and shift into back-to-school mode, I know you’re juggling fall planning, and the push to boost learning, literacy, and engagement. To support that momentum, I am sharing a few new resources and an advocacy update you can use with your teams, boards, and local and federal partners.

New Resources

Central Libraries = Downtown Anchors (new analysis + maps) | A national, data-rich look at how flagship public libraries draw people downtown, extend dwell time, and energize nearby businesses and civic spaces.

• Read the introductory blog.
• Explore maps + full story.

Leadership Brief: Leading Social Impact A concise synthesis of the 2025 CEO Roundtable in Toronto that is full of speaker insights, field examples, and plain-language framing and question prompts you can use with staff, boards, and partners. Download Now.

Upcoming Events

2025 Innovations Initiative — The 2025 ULC Innovations application cycle will open on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. ULC's Innovations Initiative showcases out-of-the box thinking and successful alignment of resources to further education for people of all ages, projects that address inclusion and digital equity in our communities, opportunities to build awareness of the library, programs that enhance civic engagement for a strong democracy, and strategic internal operations and staff management. The 2025 Innovations Initiative is proudly supported by EBSCO, the premier supporter of public library innovation.

ULC Annual Leadership Forum (Cincinnati, Oct) — SOLD OUT. Thank you for registering and bringing your teams. We’ll dig into Leading with Advocacy and will discuss how we can make clear, outcome-focused asks and build advocacy that resonates with mayors, city managers, and governors. If you would like to join the registration waitlist, you can do so here.

ULC Advocacy Update

• Encouraging signs on IMLS + state library block grants: the Senate HHS–Ed recommendation is close to FY25 levels. The House returns in September, so we’re leaning in and pushing for support for libraries!
• August recess was successful for many! Members were home, and you got them in the door through steady relationship-building, quick invites to district schedulers, and visits tailored to what each office cares about.
• In the press: ULC’s Angela Goodrich was quoted in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on IMLS’s value to states like Wisconsin.

Wishing you all a strong start to fall!