Urban Libraries Council

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.

Leadership Brief: Leading Social Impact

In June 2025, ULC gathered 70+ library CEOs for an exclusive Roundtable in Toronto focused on leading social impact. From designing for civic connection to confronting mission creep, these leaders shared real challenges and promising practices across the field. This Leadership Brief offers new strategies for advocacy, staff culture, and reading, and reflections on how libraries are navigating division, disconnection, and change.

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ULC Members Elect the 2025-2026 Board of Directors

In ULC's virtual Annual Business Meeting on June 12, 2025, members elected the 2025-2026 Board of Directors. The current Board welcomes two brand new members and three members in new officer positions. Read about each member of the ULC Board of Directors below.

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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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America’s Public Libraries Support IMLS

The Association for Rural & Small Libraries, the Public Library Association, and the Urban Libraries Council urge the administration and Congress to rescind this recent round of cancellation of grants to state library agencies, libraries, and museums. IMLS must continue to honor appropriated and statutory programs and grants as Congress intended.

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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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