Via Route Fifty: "Public libraries have evolved from traditionally supplying communities with books to expanding their selection of services to serve as health care hubs, lend musical instruments and offer cooking classes. Now, artificial intelligence-focused programs are another tool being offered ...

Via The Charlotte Observer: "President Donald Trump this month rolled out his federal spending pitch for the 2027 fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1. The plan calls for defunding the federal agency that supports libraries — the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The administration previously...

From the City of Boise: "Boise Public Library has been selected for a $15,000 grant as part of the Civic Makers Lab for Adults initiative from the Urban Libraries Council (ULC). The grant, which was awarded to only 10 libraries in the U.S., supports the City of Boise’s Youth Roadmap, promoting civic...

"Officials with the Central Arkansas Library System said a grant announced on Tuesday would equip young people to be active contributors to their communities. "Officials said the $15,000 grant from the Civic Makers Lab for Adults is part of an initiative from the Urban Libraries Council. The program...

UAlbany's "The Engagement Ring" Podcast: University at Albany Center for Technology in Government Director Ramon Gil-Garcia and Research Director Mila Gascó-Hernández discuss the role public libraries are playing in empowering communities to help ensure that emerging artificial intelligence technolo...

From Pasadena Now: "The Pasadena Public Library announced Wednesday that it received a $15,000 grant as part of the Civic Makers Lab for Adults initiative from the Urban Libraries Council (ULC), North America’s leading nonprofit for urban libraries. The library is one of 10 libraries nationwide to r...

From Library Journal: "The Carnegie Corporation of New York has awarded a $1,000,000, two-year grant to the Urban Libraries Council, to establish a national network of Civic Labs for Youth. "ULC member libraries with Carnegie-built branches will be invited to propose projects that encourage active ...

"At its quarterly meeting held in New York City on March 5, 2026, Carnegie Corporation of New York’s board of trustees approved 50 grants totaling $44,275,000."The Urban Libraries Council has been awarded a 24-month grant of $1,000,000 for project support to launch Civic Labs for Youth pilots across...

Deborah Fallows, co-Founder of Our Towns Civic Foundation, writes about the 2025 ULC Innovation Award-winning "Reading Railroad" program from Dayton Metro Library."This report, from Dayton, Ohio, is about a library that has just been recognized by the ULC for its original and innovative new steps to...

Spectrum News Columbus — "Libraries are working to turn the page on a new chapter, one that brings young people back through the doors in a digital age. From career workshops to work study programs, they’re finding creative ways to reengage teens who may have drifted away.“Having young people exc...