Skip Navigation
Back to Navigation

2026 ULC CEO Roundtable

2026 ULC CEO Roundtable: Chicago, Illinois | May 3-5, 2026

Thank you for joining us!

2026CEORT_Opt1.png

Hosted in partnership with Chicago Public Library and the Chicago Public Library Foundation.

Thank you so much to those who were able to join us at the 2026 ULC CEO Roundtable! We hope you enjoyed our programming and everything the city of Chicago had to offer.

Special thanks to the Chicago Public Library team and Commissioner Chris Brown for hosting us in your beautiful city. ULC also extends our gratitude to our program sponsor, Hoopla, for the generous support of this event.

We look forward to seeing you all next spring for the 2027 CEO Roundtable in San Francisco!

2026CEORT_PhotoCollage.png

The 2026 ULC CEO Roundtable event was generously supported by Hoopla.


Hoopla_Logo_colorGrad_shadow-3.png

Hoopla Digital combines media and library expertise with the latest in web and mobile technology to deliver a flexible, all-in-one experience with the most robust catalog in the digital library world. We share knowledge to help libraries thrive, have a passion for service that sets us apart, and take pride in working with libraries, patrons, and vendors to connect people to great content.

Explore Previous Roundtables

    Since 2023, ULC has annually convened library CEOs and Directors to connect on the latest trends and challenges in the public library field. Click the tabs below to explore past events' highlights.

    2025 CEO Roundtable - Toronto, ON

    2025-CEO-Roundtable-9.png

    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.

    2025-CEO-RT-Photo-Grid.png

    2024 CEO Roundtable - Los Angeles, CA

    2024RT_Headers.png

    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.

    2024CEORT_pics.png

    2023 CEO Roundtable - New York, NY

    CEO Roundtable

    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.

    2023CEORT_Pics.png