Welcome, New ULC Member!
Pikes Peak Library District

ULC is excited to welcome our newest member, Pikes Peak Library District, located in El Paso County, Colorado! Please give them a warm welcome and look out for new peers on your Member Community calls in the future.

See ULC's full member list.

Highlighting Library Card Sign-up Month with Limited Edition Library Cards
San Antonio Public Library

It's Library Card Sign-Up Month! To celebrate, the San Antonio Public Library is now offering all new, limited edition library cards featuring the rich cultural traditions of San Antonio. The classic Mexican card game Lotería, the famous San Antonio skyline, cowboy boots and bluebonnets, are just some of the iconic San Antonio cultural images featured on the cards.

“A San Antonio Public Library card is your key to the vast resources and opportunities offered by the library,” said Kathy Donellan, Interim Library Director. “I encourage everyone in San Antonio to take a few minutes to visit their local library and pick out one of these beautiful new library cards while they last!”

Library cards are free to all residents of San Antonio and Bexar County and all employees of the City of San Antonio. Existing library patrons can also swap their classic library card for a new design by bringing a photo ID to any library location.

Check out the beautiful designs via Fox San Antonio.

Powwow Trail 101
Calgary Public Library

This summer, the Calgary Public Library is teaching guests what they need to know about visiting a local powwow. Powwow Trail 101 is a drop-in program where participants can learn powwow protocols and etiquette, experience drumming and dancing demonstrations and gain deeper insight into Indigenous traditions. Autumn EagleSpeaker, a powwow coordinator, says the events take place all over North America during the summer months.

"We see a lot more people coming to the powwows now that reconciliation is more of a thing," EagleSpeaker said. "Prior to that, there used to be kind of like, almost people wondering if it's OK to come on the First Nations reserves, but this is a way to teach people that it is OK to come to the community and to participate." EagleSpeaker is southern Alberta's first female powwow emcee.

Kelli Morning Bull is the library's Indigenous services design lead. "The library is such a vessel for gatherings; it's just a natural place," she said. "So why not have this beautiful library hosting this Indigenous event, celebrating Canadian culture and bringing people together?

Read more and watch the story via CTVNews Calgary.

Promoting Commitment to Sustainability and Reducing Carbon Footprint
St. Louis Public Library

The city of St. Louis Public Library, in partnership with decarbonization company Veregy, has made several energy efficiency upgrades at its Buder, Schlafly, and Julia Davis branches as part of its sustainability efforts. The upgrades include installing solar photovoltaic panels, replacing outdated lighting with energy-efficient LED systems, and improving mechanical systems. These efforts are expected to reduce the library’s carbon emissions by 817,734 pounds of CO2 per year, equivalent to 931,964 miles driven by a typical car or the annual energy use of 45 homes!

“These upgrades not only enhance the comfort and experience for our patrons but also demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and responsible energy use” St. Louis Public Library’s Chief Operating Officer Justin Struttmann said. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have on our community and the environment.”

The 64kW (direct current) solar arrays at Buder and Julia Davis are expected to generate 161,940 kWh of electricity in the first year of production, resulting in over $18,700 in annual savings. Mechanical and lighting improvements will further reduce energy consumption by more than 390,000 kWh, saving an additional $39,000 each year.

Read the full article from EnergyTech.