In partnership with Barbershop Books, ULC’s Barbershop Books Pilot for Libraries supported a small cohort of libraries in 2023 and 2024 to provide reading opportunities to Black boys directly in barbershops in their local communities. The Cleveland Public Library knew participation would be beneficial as it aligned with the library's goal to put books into the community and possibly create change.
Are you a public library leader who is eager to know where peer systems stand on questions related to operations and services? ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater encourages every member to participate in the annual Library Insights Survey.
How are downtown city libraries recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic? ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater shares some preliminary research around the connection between public libraries and economic vitality.
How Library Visits Create Daytime Foot Traffic and Promote Economic Vitality in Downtowns: A Case Study | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Washington, DC
The Urban Libraries Council recently hosted a virtual town hall on the critical roles public libraries play in our communities. We welcomed leaders with experience engaging with local, state and federal government policymakers to discuss ways for libraries to share their impact. Read on for five takeaways from the event.
How is ULC driving greater advocacy for urban libraries? Check out the latest blog post from ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater the federal legislation and funding resources needed to empower public libraries to meet evolving community needs.
How are libraries transforming lives and strengthening communities? Check out the latest blog post from ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater on the framework for public libraries to better serve — and transform! — their communities.
The beginning of the new year is often a time to set intentions, outline goals and chart paths for progress — be it personal or professional. At ULC, we are starting 2024 with a refreshed approach to the strategic priorities that will guide our work this year, and in the years ahead.
The Library Insights Survey serves as a guidepost for the resiliency of libraries and the bright spots they hold in our neighborhoods. This data demonstrates how libraries are strengthening their operations and purposefully serving their communities since the pandemic.
As architects who work with libraries, the topic of "Libraries as Place" is of particular interest. For a variety of reasons, however, it is not unusual for libraries to find themselves working with an architect who doesn’t have quite this level of experience. Fortunately, there are strategies that libraries can use with a variety of architects to design spaces and facilities that are both functional and inspirational.
