New York City Libraries and the Freedom to Read Day of Action
Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, Queens Public Library

This weekend, libraries and members of the public who believe in the freedom to read held rallies and took action across the country for the Freedom to Read Community Day of Action! This Day of Action was organized by Unite Against Book Bans, the American Library Association, the Association for Rural and Small Libraries and ULC members Brooklyn Public Library, The New York Public Library, and Queens Public Library, in collaboration with libraries and advocates nationwide. The leaders of these libraries contributed to an article in TIME about why this day is so vital:

"Book banning is an attempt to silence voices and erase entire groups of people. By deeming characters of color and discussions of racism uncomfortable and by labeling queer characters and relationships obscene, these acts of censorship send an alarming message to young people—who are just beginning to discover their own identities— that anyone who isn’t straight, white and cisgender is a threat."

Read the full article from TIME.

EPL’s Together We Grow Program Wins Minister’s Award
Edmonton Public Library

Earlier this month, Edmonton Public Library was honored with the distinguished 2024 Minister's Award for Municipal and Public Library Excellence. The library was recognized for its impactful initiative, Together We Grow, an innovative program that exemplifies the Library's commitment to innovation and community engagement. Together We Grow brings EPL's early literacy programming to seniors' residences and long-term care facilities, where they can be enjoyed by seniors and young families together. The program promotes social connection, reduces feelings of loneliness, and creates meaningful interactions that benefit participants of all ages.

The program's impact extends far beyond its adorable entertainment value, having a positive effect on seniors with dementia. "It's incredible to see the classic children's songs trigger memories from the seniors’ own childhood, bringing them back to a moment in time where they can join in and sing along," says Ben Ehlers, at EPL.

Families with young children have also reported significant benefits from the program. One mother shared that the classes have been instrumental in socializing her child, who had limited opportunities for interaction with people of different ages due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are delighted to be recognized for our Together We Grow program," said Pilar Martinez, CEO at EPL. "This program is a shining example of how libraries can bring people together and foster positive change in their communities. We look forward to continuing to expand this program, and to sharing its benefits with even more Edmontonians."

Read the release from Edmonton Public Library.

"Philadelphia as a Literacy-Rich Environment"
The Free Library of Philadelphia

Consulting group The Learning Agenda, with the support of the William Penn Foundation, recently released a report on creating literacy-rich environments in everyday spaces and places—including informal learning settings—across Philadelphia, called "Philadelphia as a Literacy-Rich Environment: Unlocking Potential and Creating Change." This was developed by a group of researchers and practitioners - including library leaders from the Free Library of Philadelphia. An Executive Summary is also available.

The report aims to help community leaders envision parks, grocery stores, buses, barber shops, and laundromats, along with informal learning settings in afterschool programs and museums as the perfect spots to create fun, literacy-bosting activities and installations for children and families!

Explore the full report and Executive Summary.

Giving a "Leg Up" to Entrepreneurs
Toledo Lucas County Public Library

As part of ULC's Strengthening Libraries as Entrepreneurial Hubs initiative, the Toledo Lucas County Public Library developed strategies to help members of underserved populations in the city start their own businesses. This summer, the library officially opened a small business and nonprofit workspace to help the more than 3,100 (and growing!) people who come to the library each year for business support. NPR recently visited the library and talked to librarians and small business owners in Northwest Ohio about how these free services are the biggest value for them.

"Tucked in the basement of a stately 1940s art deco building, the brightly-lit room has flexible meeting spaces, cubicles and computers for anyone to use. Librarians hold drop-in hours and take one-on-one appointments. They also hosts classes on topics like bookkeeping, grant writing and business plan development. And it's all free.

Linda Faye Lucas, a former business consultant, used to charge clients hundreds of dollars for this kind of work. "I've been able to do what I did for people that never would have been able to afford the services," she says. "I have made some wonderful connections with business owners."

Read the full article from NPR.