Member News Round Up | June 7, 2023
Jun 06, 2023
ULC Libraries Launch New Barbershop Books Programs
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Shreve Memorial Library
Over the weekend, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Shreve Memorial Library celebrated the launch of their Barbershop Books, Inc. programs, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services! The initiative, as part of a national partnership with ULC and BSB, aims to expand reading opportunities for children in need by creating child-friendly reading spaces in barbershops and providing early literacy training to barbers.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's kickoff event was hosted at Just for You Barber/Styling Academy, where the library celebrated participating barbershops and connected young people with literacy through story times, face painting and access to MoLi, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s mobile library. In Shreveport, the library hosted its launch at Bos Man’s Barber College. The family-friendly event introduced attendees to the program and featured free haircuts and book giveaways.
ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater said, “It is fantastic to celebrate the official launch of this programming in Charlotte and Shreveport. This partnership with Barbershop Books is a promising way to amplify ULC member libraries’ community partnerships and literacy services, particularly for young Black boys.”
Shreve Memorial and Charlotte Mecklenburg are two of four public libraries to pilot this partnership, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Columbus Metropolitan Library and Cleveland Public Library will kick off programming later this summer.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant number LG252555-OLS-22.
PGCMLS Kicks off Pride with New Banned Book Club
Prince George's County Memorial Library System
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System has launched its Rock Banned Book Club. The club will feature monthly discussions of the 13 top banned books from 2022, most of which focus on LGBTQ-specific themes. At the first June meeting, the club will discuss “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe.
ULC members will recognize "Rock Banned," the library's winning submission to the 2023 Innovations Initiative. The intellectual freedom campaign aimed to inform customers about intellectual freedom and draw attention to the increase in book challenges nationally. This new book club is the latest extension of the campaign.
“We’re seeing nationally the highest rate of challenges to books in libraries since the data has been collected by the American Library Association,” said Nicholas Brown, acting co-chief executive officer of the library, said. “I think what happens with all of the discourse around book banning is that, oftentimes, not everyone participating in that discourse is actually taking the time to read the full works and discuss them and understand where the author might be coming from and whose stories are being reflected in these books.”
Read the full story from The Washington Blade.
June Jubilee: A Celebration of Black Excellence
Los Angeles Public Library
This Saturday, June 10, the Los Angeles Public Library is hosting the inaugural celebration “June Jubilee: A celebration of Black Excellence” to mark the Juneteenth Holiday. The Jubilee was curated by Changing Tones, one of the Library’s racial equity and inclusion groups, as a way to honor and share with all Angelenos the contributions and culture of African Americans throughout the history of Los Angeles and the nation.
“We’re excited to present this inaugural June Jubilee celebration that honors the rich heritage of our ancestors through a joyful exploration of Black culture that fosters unity, understanding, fun and appreciation of the American experience,” said Jené D. Brown, Racial Equity Officer and Director of LAPL’s Emerging Technologies and Collections Division.
The family-friendly event will have activities for all ages, including a scavenger hunt, storytelling, crafts for kids, games, tours and more. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage in informative workshops, speakers, live entertainment, health and wellness programs, financial literacy information and more. It will also feature a mobile memory lab, genealogy workshops and a candid conversation about the topic of reparations in California.
Read the full story from The LA Sentinel.
Calgary Kicks off Indigenous History Month with Laughter
Calgary Public Library
"For Indigenous people, laughter is medicine." Calgary Public Library kicked off a month of programming for Indigenous History Month with a comedy show from Sherry Mckay, an Ojibway Anishinaabe comedian.
"I think a lot of times when Indigenous people are mentioned or we're talked about, there's a lot of trauma and legacy of trauma that's involved in that," she said. "I think to be celebrated is extremely important. Whether it's history or culture, we just want to be highlighted in a positive way as well."
Events to celebrate Indigenous History Month at Calgary Public Library include Elders storytime, a Métis History and Jigging presentation, Inuksuk carving, dreamcatcher making and more.
For National Indigenous People's Day on June 21, there will be a special day of programming, on which Olympic medalist Alwyn Morris will speak virtually at 10:30 a.m. and on which a panel discussion about truth and reconciliation in sport.