Urban Libraries Council

2025 Library Insights Report Now Available!

The Urban Libraries Council’s 2025 Library Insights Report captures how urban libraries are evolving to meet community needs, revealing continued growth in both in-person and digital engagement. Now in its third year, the Library Insights Survey draws on four years of member data to illuminate trends in library programs, staffing, budgets, and operations—offering a clear picture of where libraries are today and how they’re shaping the future.

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Webinar | Unlocking Teen Potential: Lessons from ULC’s Creating Youth Opportunities Initiative

Join ULC for our final webinar celebrating the Creating Youth Opportunities initiative and the work of libraries that are expanding pathways for opportunity youth. This session will highlight lessons learned, key findings, and practical program ideas for libraries interested in deepening their own youth engagement strategies. Hear from cohort members about their program successes. Register now!

New Case Study on AI in Libraries from CTG UAlbany

ULC and the University at Albany’s Center for Technology in Government (CTG UAlbany) are partnering to examine how libraries can empower communities to better understand Artificial Intelligence and ensure its ethical design and application. Just published in November, the third case study of this project reports how Palo Alto City Library introduced AI initiatives, particularly in the form of robotics programs for youth. The case study reviews the library's AI programming and the benefits associated with implementation.

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New ULC Analysis: Downtown Libraries Are Driving City Revitalization

In-person visits at major city central libraries have risen significantly, and those visits are driving patrons to local businesses and area attractions, according to a new data analysis from the Urban Libraries Council (ULC). Using innovative anonymized data techniques, ULC looked at five flagship library branches in major cities across the country — Austin, Boston, Chicago, Jacksonville, and San Francisco — in order to assess how visits to the library influenced visits to other nearby community offerings. Read the analysis now.

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Congress: Stand up for your constituents by standing up for public libraries

As Congress returns from recess and refocuses its attention to the appropriations process, it must not lose sight of a decision that could fundamentally endanger American public libraries: whether to fund the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which provides states with vital grants that strengthen communities nationwide.

ULC Academy is Now LIVE!

This new learning platform from the Urban Libraries Council supports library leaders at all levels with dynamic, flexible professional development through live courses, self-paced content, and exclusive webinars. Our first live course offering, Managing from the Middle, is tailor-made for branch managers to sharpen leadership skills and build team confidence. Spots are limited – register for Managing from the Middle by July 1!

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Put Numbers Behind Your Library’s Impact—Explore the Updated BVC Today!

ULC’s updated Business Value Calculator (BVC) helps libraries put real numbers behind the contributions of libraries’ business services—strengthening advocacy efforts and making a compelling case for continued investment. Want to learn about how ULC members have used the updated BVC? See the new BVC Impact Report to read about seven ULC libraries that have used the updated tool to calculate their business services value—a total value of over $17 Million!

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"A Guide to Engaging Elected Officials and Cultivating Library Advocates in Government"

Urban Libraries Council’s newest toolkit is crafted to help library professionals build strong relationships with elected officials, demonstrating firsthand the vital role libraries play in literacy, information access, and lifelong learning. It provides step-by-step guidance to plan impactful visits, including customizable outreach templates and a detailed checklist to ensure a memorable experience for visiting officials.

Access on the ULC Member Hub

For over 50 years, the Urban Libraries Council has served as an outcomes-driven research and innovations network of more than 190 leading North American public libraries.

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Strategic Priorities

Support the Urban Library Leader

Center the Transformative Role of Public Libraries

Drive Advocacy for Urban Libraries

The Voice of Public Libraries

ULC provides a forum for library leaders to share best practices and innovative ideas that inspire programs that support 21st century learning, a strong economy and an active democracy.

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Find out how ULC membership empowers hundreds of leading library systems across North America.

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