About This Initiative
Libraries are more than buildings—they’re gateways to learning, opportunity, and connection. Yet, for too many, physical and transportation barriers make accessing these vital spaces difficult and even unsafe. ULC’s Safe Routes to Libraries initiative addresses this challenge head-on, ensuring everyone has safe, equitable access to the transformative resources libraries provide.
The Safe Routes to Libraries initiative strives to eliminate barriers and improve walking, biking, and rolling access to library buildings whether urban, suburban, or rural. By adapting proven strategies from the Safe Routes to School program, this initiative strives to help libraries collaborate with local partners to improve safety, infrastructure, and education.
Get Started
- Read the Safe Routes to Libraries Impact Brief to learn more about how libraries are already moving the needle on pedestrian and bike safety
- Explore ULC's Safe Routes GIS Mapping Tool & accompanying Tip Sheet to better understand the existing infrastructure supporting pedestrian, bike, scooter, and transit access to libraries using publicly available transportation and school proximity data.
- Access the Safe Routes to Libraries Resource Center for tools and tips for getting started with your library [COMING IN AUGUST 2026]
- Register for the Safe Routes to Libraries Virtual Learning Series
Resources
New! Jumpstart Your Safe Routes to Libraries Planning With ULC's GIS Mapping Tool & Tip Sheet
The Urban Libraries Council's Safe Routes to Libraries GIS Mapping Tool helps 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 for improved access. By overlaying library locations with publicly available transportation and school proximity data, the tool provides a starting point for local conversations about improving access to libraries by walking, biking, rolling, and public transit.
Use the accompanying Tip Sheet for a guide on how to read and use the data to get started!
Explore the GIS Tool | View the Tip Sheet
Impact Brief: Safe Routes to Libraries
May 2026
With the support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), ULC and the Safe Routes Partnership have collaborated since 2024 to lay the groundwork for a national "Safe Routes to Libraries" program. This initiative is designed to foster walking, biking, and rolling access to public library buildings across the United States, with the goal of safely connecting communities to library resources and programs that enhance the literacy and health outcomes of all Americans.
This new Impact Brief explores the work libraries are already doing across North America to improve the walkability and bikeability of their buildings — from transportation safety and bike education programs to community audits and StoryWalks!
Read Now
ULC’s national partners are:
- Safe Routes Partnership
- Association for Rural and Small Libraries
- Dr. Noah Lenstra, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Contact Katie Sullivan, Senior Program Manager, regarding this initiative: ksullivan@urbanlibraries.org.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant LG-256591-OLS-24.
