The Urban Libraries Council expresses its deep concern over efforts in Alberta to restrict access to resources in the province’s public libraries, and stands with the Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries (CAP Libraries) in condemning this library censorship. The changes represent “a level of provin...

Contact: Evan Ottenfeld - eottenfeld@urbanlibraries.org Initiative empowers young adults ages 18-24 to be active contributors to their communities WASHINGTON, DC - The Urban Libraries Council is proud to announce the 10 recipients of its Civic Makers Lab for Adults grant, an initiative that equips l...

Pilot partnerships between public libraries and local news organizations will engage community members in shaping local news, yielding a replicable model. WASHINGTON, March 24, 2026 — More Perfect, an American alliance dedicated to revitalizing democracy, today announced a partnership with the Urban...

Contact:Evan Ottenfeld, Director of Strategic Communications - eottenfeld@urbanlibraries.orgAngely Montilla, Carnegie Corporation of New York - aem@carnegie.org WASHINGTON, DC - The Urban Libraries Council (ULC) is proud to announce the approval of a $1 million grant for a project piloting Civic La...

Contact: Evan Ottenfeld - eottenfeld@urbanlibraries.org WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Trump signed into law the Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Bill preserving funding for libraries within the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), despite an initial request to zero out the instit...

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report today that found large numbers of public libraries have building systems in poor condition, pose safety concerns, or represent a barrier to access for patrons with disabilities. Following the report’s release, the Urban Libraries Council r...

Prince William Public Libraries (VA), Dayton Metro Library (OH), Gwinnett County Public Library (GA), Pasadena Public Library (CA), DC Public Library, and the Pioneer Library System (OK) recognized for their exemplary programs Washington, DC – The Urban Libraries Council (ULC), North America’s leadi...

Third-annual Library Insights Survey sees eBook usage, room reservations, and visits continue to rise WASHINGTON, D.C. - Visits to urban libraries grew by nearly 10% from 2023 to 2024, continuing a three-year trend, and demand for in-person meeting spaces also grew by 25%, finds a new analysis from...

As office attendance has yet to rebound, central libraries are bringing people and energy back to city centers, as the Urban Libraries Council’s new data analysis shows CONTACT: Evan Ottenfeld - eottenfeld@urbanlibraries.org WASHINGTON, DC – In-person visits at major city central libraries have rise...

Washington, DC — The Urban Libraries Council is proud to announce the 2025-2026 Board of Directors, elected and confirmed during ULC's virtual Annual Business Meeting on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The ULC Board provides strategic oversight, industry perspective and vision that guides the continued evo...