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Beth Dempsey, 248.349.7810 or beth@bethdempsey.com

SANTIAGO ELECTED CHAIR OF ULC EXECUTIVE BOARD

Library Trustees Anna and Harder will serve as Board Members

July 12, 2009 (Chicago) -- The Urban Libraries Council (ULC) has elected Raymond Santiago, Director of the Miami-Dade Public Library System (FL), to Chair the ULC Executive Board.  As Chair, he will lead ULC’s 16-member Board, its primary decision-making body, from July 2009 through June 2010.  Representing both ULC members and major stakeholders of North America's major public libraries, the Board sets direction and guides ULC's programs and its development.

The 2003 Library Journal Librarian of the Year, Mr. Santiago, has led the Miami-Dade Public Library System – which encompasses 900 employees in 48 facilities, serving more than 2.5 million residents – since 1998. During his tenure, the Library System's annual budget has grown from $29 million to its current $91.5 million and has implemented an aggressive eight year capital expansion program.   Mr. Santiago has emphasized staff development through training for all staff, as well as creating trainee and intern classifications for full-time employees working towards their Masters in Library Science degrees.

Mr. Santiago has served as an adjunct faculty member of the School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Florida where he has taught courses in library administration, public libraries and collection development. He is a Past Chair of the Board of Directors of Lyrasis, a member organization of over 1,850 libraries from throughout the southeastern United States, and is a Past President of the Executive Board of the Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN), a consortium of 30 public, academic and special libraries.  As a member of the Urban Libraries Council Executive Board since 2005, he has been a key member of its finance and nominating committees.  Most recently, Mr. Santiago served on ULC’s CEO Search Committee.   

“Raymond has a keen understanding of local politics and how they present challenges and opportunities for libraries,”   said ULC President and CEO Susan Benton.  “His leadership will be instrumental in evolving ULC learning programs and initiatives aimed at helping libraries elevate their profiles in their communities and, especially, among other government agencies.”

ULC membership also elected two new Board members to replace two outgoing members.  Both are trustees, reflecting ULC’s commitment to providing a forum for important library stakeholders’ voices.  Ruth Neil Anna begins her first term in July.  She has been a Trustee of the Jefferson County Public Library (CO) since 2002, serving as Vice Chair and Chair. She has also served as the Trustee and Friends Division Chair of the Colorado Association of Libraries. Additionally, she brings more than 20 years experience in public relations.  Jan Harder also begins in July.  Board Chair of the Ottawa Public Library Board (ON), she is also serving as President of the Canadian Library Trustees Association and is on the Executive Council of the Canadian Library Association.

ULC is a membership organization of 180 of North America’s premier metropolitan public library systems and related library consultants and suppliers.   ULC is respected for its research about issues facing urban libraries; its cultivation of innovations in library services to cities; and for its programs that help libraries to remain competitive and agile in fast-changing environments.   

About the Urban Libraries Council

For more than 30 years the Urban Libraries Council (ULC) has worked to strengthen public libraries as an essential part of urban life.  A membership organization of North America’s premier public library systems and the corporations that serve them, ULC serves as a forum for sharing best practices resulting from targeted research, education and forecasting.  ULC’s programs are acclaimed for inspiring new organizational models that invigorate urban libraries and enrich the areas surrounding them.  ULC is headquartered in Chicago.  For more information, visit the group on the web at: www.urbanlibraries.org.  

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