In June 2025, the Urban Libraries Council convened over 70 executive directors from public libraries across North America for an exclusive CEO Roundtable focused on advancing social impact through leadership and advocacy. During the two days, the participants learned about Toronto Public Library’s social impact research, New York Public Library’s ambitions around reading, Dr Kate Mulligan’s work on ways that public spaces can reduce loneliness and on social prescribing, OCLC’s new insights on generational differences in using the library and how Professor Randy Boyagoda leads University of Toronto’s work on civil discourse

Similar to the year prior, ULC published a Leadership Brief to follow up from the event and share best practices, authored by Tommi Laitio, co-founder and principal of Convivencia Urbana, and our Roundtable facilitator.

In May 2024, the Urban Libraries Council brought together library directors and CEOs from across the United States and Canada to discuss public libraries’ responses to this pressing issue of homelessness and how libraries are at the forefront of addressing community needs. Co-hosted by LA County Library and the Los Angeles Public Library, the 2024 CEO Roundtable was an opportunity for library executives to engage in in-depth discussions on innovative approaches to support the unhoused.

As a follow-up to the conversations and best practices shared in this event, ULC produced the Leadership Brief, "Effective Strategies and Models for Urban Libraries Addressing Homelessness." The publication offers key takeaways from library leaders and case studies of effective library programs.

In May 2023, ULC held the first-ever CEO Roundtable to help directors/CEOs navigate the challenging landscape of libraries at that time. Library leaders across North America were invited to grow and hone in on the business and leadership skills they'd acquired throughout their career and connect with peers about today’s role as the library director/CEO in a disrupted and ever-changing world.