Illinois Makes History with Signing of New Book Ban LawChicago Public Library Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill into law designed to discourage libraries from banning books. The first-in-the-nation law is a defense against a nationwide trend demanding that books be removed from library shelv...

Reimagining Civic Commons interviewed four thought leaders — including ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater — for their ideas about how to solve the nation’s downtown crisis and to illustrate the key role that public spaces could play in a downtown comeback....

A new article from School Library Journal examines how public libraries are bridging equity gaps in summer learning for children, ensuring all learners receive high-quality summer programming. The article features a quote from ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater: "Look at your existing [summer] ...

On June 15, 2023, the Urban Libraries Council (ULC) announced the election of Roosevelt Weeks, the Austin Public Library director and Texas Library Association’s 2023 Librarian of the Year, as the new Board of Directors Chair. Weeks was elected by a contingent of ULC’s 170 library members in the org...

Today, the Urban Libraries Council elected its 2023-2024 Board of Directors during its Annual Member Business Meeting. ULC members elected four newly named Board officers, including: Roosevelt Weeks (Director, Austin Public Library) as Chair Pilar Martinez (Chief Executive Officer, Edmonton Public L...

ULC Libraries Launch New Barbershop Books ProgramsCharlotte Mecklenburg Library, Shreve Memorial Library Over the weekend, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Shreve Memorial Library celebrated the launch of their Barbershop Books, Inc. programs, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services!...

As part of a national partnership with Barbershop Books (BSB) and the Urban Libraries Council (ULC), Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (N.C.) and Shreve Memorial Library (La.) will host events on Saturday, June 3, 2023, to celebrate the launch of their Barbershop Books programs. The program aims to expa...

IMLS 2023 National Medalists for Museum and Library Service LA County Library, Toledo Lucas County Public Library ULC members LA County Library and Toledo Lucas County Public Library have been selected as IMLS 2023 National Medalists for Museum and Library Service! The libraries were among eight w...

Pasadena Public Library's signing of ULC's Declaration of Democracy was featured in an article from Pasadena Now. “Since its inception, the Pasadena Public Library has been a welcoming space for all that celebrates differing points of view while making programs and services accessible to all,” said ...

A new article from WorkLife examines how library systems like Boston Public Library are leaning into the coworking space trend with innovative amenities. ULC connected with reporter Cloey Callahan to comment on these trends....