This recent article from The Oklahoman lays out clearly what many library patrons may not understand: that for every e-book you want to borrow, there are a lot of restrictions placed on libraries in order to get it to you. "There's a lot of discrepancy in the cost of those materials depending on who...

This Baltimore Banner article highlights the annual successes of Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library, citing Pratt's recent work with ULC's Creating Youth Opportunities Initiative:"There’s no one reason why loans have surged, said Enoch Pratt Free Library chief of collections and access services Mi...

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...

From Publisher's Weekly:On December 3, the Institute of Museum and Library Services announced on its website that it “has reinstated all federal grants.” This action is the result of a permanent injunction ordered on November 21 by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in State of Rhode Is...

From Publisher's Weekly: "The Urban Libraries Council, a North American advocacy organization of nearly 200 public library systems, has released its 2025 Library Insights report. For four years, the ULC has been collecting data from public libraries across the U.S. and Canada that participate in its...

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...

This WVTF RadioIQ article highlights ULC's Director of Civic Health and Economic Opportunity Shamichael Hallman and his book, Meet Me at the Library: “Libraries have traditionally been a place that have been very trusted,” said Shamichael Hallman, director of Civic Health and Economic Opportunity at...

Publisher's Weekly interviewed ULC's Director of Research & Data, Femi Adelakun, about the recent ULC data analysis piece, "Downtown Libraries Are the Anchors Cities Need." The analysis focused on 5 metropolitan flagship libraries to find out how downtown locations can revitalize city centers. "...

"The importance of designing and maintaining public spaces that cultivate social connectedness and civic engagement cannot be overstated." — Brooks RainwaterA new Bloomberg article explores how cities seeking to revive their downtowns are increasingly turning to public libraries as anchors of vitali...