Last week the Executive Board of the Urban Libraries Council met in Chicago. That meeting reinforced one of the most inspiring aspects of my new position as President and CEO of ULC: the opportunity to witness the dedication of the Board in guiding our organization forward. The mission and direction of ULC are clearly and strongly articulated in Raymond Santiago's Message from the Chair. ULC leaders are positive, bold, and determined to ensure the best possible urban libraries for our communities. Their energy is captured in Raymond's message and it provides the momentum for the work we have ahead.--Susan Benton
Of all the meetings of boards, committees, and work groups that I have attended during my years in the library profession, few have been as important as last week’s meeting of the Executive Board of the Urban Libraries Council.I was reminded, once again, of the extraordinary collective vision, wisdom, and energy that this amazing group embodies.In the course of two days of intense discussion, we reaffirmed ULC’s historic values, addressed tough financial issues, and set a strong strategic direction for the organization that you have entrusted to us.I want to share a few highlights with you.
ULC’s Historic Values.Throughout our 38-year organizational history, the Urban Libraries Council has maintained a strong commitment to the needs and concerns of members.This commitment continues.From our upcoming conference, Partners for Success: Regional Solutions for Local Vitality to be held at the Nashville Public Library December 3-4, to our expanding series of audio conferences and webinars, to our ongoing support of on-line and face-to-face consultation, ULC remains dedicated to work that is useful to our members and beneficial to the communities you serve.The Executive Board strongly commits ULC to programs and services that address members’ needs and expectations.As a result, you can expect more individual contact with members of the Executive Board and the ULC staff in the coming months.We want to hear your thoughts and ideas, so that ULC can be most helpful to you.
Historically, the most valued element of ULC membership has been the connection with knowledgeable, generous colleagues.Margaret Danziger, Deputy Director of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, recently captured this in a message to her counterparts:“I requested info about pairing and/or clustering of branch services.Nine of you took the time to respond with great insight and experience and detail.I really appreciated that help.”And Ann Rohrbaugh, Director of the Kalamazoo Public Library, described her experience with a query: “Within minutes, the advice started hitting my mailbox and now just 24 hours later, I’ve heard from at least a dozen libraries, all with good advice based on their experiences.I’d rather pay ULC dues than a consultant.”ULC will do everything we can to encourage and sustain this treasured resource.
Financial Issues.We know that all ULC members are feeling doubly pressured in these unprecedented times.Greatly reduced revenues are coupled with greatly increased community needs.In addition to grappling with your own local library challenges, you learn daily of the difficulties our colleagues throughout the country are facing.ULC feels these pressures too. Adopting our operating budget for calendar 2010, we decided to maintain our staff at its present reduced size, seven full-time employees.We recognize that these able, dedicated people are now tackling a workload formerly addressed by 9.75 fte staff.Second, like many of you, we instituted a salary freeze for the coming year.
Strategic Direction.In partnership with our dynamic new President/CEO Susan Benton, who brings a whole new set of perspectives to our thinking, the Executive Board is launching ULC in an exciting strategic direction.Focusing especially on library directors and library trustees and extending our reach to elected and appointed decision-makers in local government, we will emphasize three strengths:
We will provide thought leadership and new research in support of the ongoing transformation of libraries.
We will bolster a community of support.
We will deliver strong assistance in articulating the public library value proposition to local urban audiences.
Regular discussion of member opinions, concerns, and interests will assist in shaping these three emphases.We will scan the horizon for opportunities and threats.We will raise the concerns and interests of urban and metropolitan libraries in forums where individual library voices might not be heard.We will communicate our plans and intentions regularly, giving our members chances to weigh in.We will exhibit the creativity, initiative and resilience for which ULC has long been known.
As our slogan says, the Urban Libraries Council exists to strengthen the public library as an essential part of urban life.Along with all the members of the Executive Board, I am confident that we will fulfill the promise of that slogan in the months and years to come.
