Boston Magazine: "Why We Need Libraries More Than Ever"
Boston Public Library

In a new, in-depth feature from Boston Magazine, writer Tom McGrath posed the following question to Boston Public Library president David Leonard: “If public libraries didn’t exist and we tried to start them today, what do you think would happen?”

Here's how he responded: “The quick answer is, I’m so glad we don’t have to [start libraries today] because we have 175 years of delivering value. I think the deeper philosophical question in there is, what kind of society do we want to live in? Where do we want public discourse to exist? How do we want to control information and knowledge? I think if the library didn’t exist, we would need it."

The feature goes on to examine BPL's commitment to community-focused programming, such as English-as-a-second-language (ESL) classes, sewing workshops for teens, family movie nights and even health information sessions held in conjunction with the Boston Public Health Commission. The author, McGrath, commends the library's ability to be "Free to All," as its mission states, in a time when nothing is really free anymore.

"The ‘all’ part is as important as the ‘free’ part in that phrase," said Leonard. "It really has to be everybody.”

Read the full article from Boston Magazine.

Introducing ULC's Newest Members
Elkhart Public Library and Simi Valley Public Library

Join us in welcoming ULC's two newest library members — Elkhart Public Library in Indiana and Simi Valley Public Library in California! Elkhart Public Library, located in Elkhart, Indiana, serves a population of 53,000+ at its five branches. Simi Valley Public Library is located in Simi Valley, California, part of the Greater Los Angeles Area, and serves 125,000 residents.

We are so glad to have you in the ULC ranks! Learn more about Elkhart Public Library and Simi Valley Public Library.

OPPL Recognized for ‘Outstanding Efforts on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People’
Oak Park Public Library

In October, OPALGA+ (Oak Park Area Gay and Lesbian Association) recognized Oak Park Public Library for “outstanding efforts on behalf of LGBTQ+ people in Oak Park and the surrounding area.” OPPL Executive Director Joslyn Bowling Dixon accepted the OPALGA+ Mel Wilson Founders Award at the OPALGA+ Annual Scholarship Fundraiser Gala on October 22. As the library strives to be A Library for Everyone, Dixon said, “I am proud of the inclusive and engaging efforts of our teams to create an inclusive and safe space for all of our patrons.”

OPALGA+ praised the library for being a book sanctuary, for hosting “a powerful display to honor lives lost to transgender violence to mark Transgender Awareness Day” last November, for offering drag storytelling since 2019 and the Read to the Royals program earlier this year, and for “creating a warm and affirming space for people, and especially youth, to find their voice, stand up for what they believe and share who they are.”

Read the whole press release on the Oak Park Public Library website.

Library and Public Health Workers on the Front Line
Kansas City Public Library

"The most qualified librarian should never replace medical providers and social service experts. Yet necessity has transformed many library staff members into front-line health workers," writes John Herron, executive director of the Kansas City Public Library. "The noisy debates about book bans dominate national headlines, but it is the work that libraries provide in safety net health services that should get everyone’s attention, because the situation is becoming unsustainable. The solution is for U.S. health-care providers to form stronger partnerships with public libraries."

In a recent op-ed for The Washington Post, KCPL executive director John Herron writes about the common goals and, often, front-line roles of public library and public health workers. Strong partnerships between libraries and local health systems, Herron posits, can build more vibrant, healthy and resilient communities.

Partnerships with local health systems could also lead to expanded health programming for library patrons as well as much-needed specialized public health training for staff, Herron writes. Just as significant could be sponsorship of mental health intervention and support groups, improved access to government health benefit programs and urban housing resources.

Read the full article in The Washington Post.