Written by Brooks Rainwater, President & CEO, Urban Libraries Council...

In his latest message, ULC President & CEO Brooks Rainwater reflects on the strength of our shared leadership, the success of the 2025 ULC Annual Forum, and what’s ahead for ULC’s advocacy and data-driven initiatives.

I know many of you are carrying a lot right now. The climate in this country, and beyond, is shaping staff morale, community trust, and the daily realities inside your libraries. In times like these, the relationships we have with each other matter most. Here are a few priorities I want to elevate this month at ULC...

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.

By Brooks Rainwater, President & CEO, Urban Libraries Council...

Reconnect with ULC this summer through key opportunities to lead with impact. Register for the 2025 Annual Leadership Forum, invite your elected officials to visit your library during the August recess, and complete the 2025 Library Insights Survey to support national advocacy with powerful data.

In his latest message, ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater celebrates the energy and impact of ULC member libraries during the busy summer season. From dynamic programming to national advocacy, libraries are creating meaningful connections and driving change. He shares updates on key initiatives like the launch of the ULC Fellows Program, the debut of the ULC Academy Branch Managers course, and ongoing federal advocacy to protect IMLS funding.

ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater addresses the urgent threat to federal library funding following news that state library grants from IMLS may be cut in half for FY2025. ULC is actively meeting with congressional leaders across party lines to push back on these cuts, advocate for FY2026 funding, and highlight the essential role libraries play in education, workforce development, and civic life.

At ULC, one of our top strategic priorities is to Support the Urban Library Leader—and that means equipping you with robust professional development opportunities, advocacy tools, and peer-to-peer networks that drive measurable impact.

At the heart of our communities, public libraries are breaking new ground every day. The Urban Libraries Council (ULC) is proud to showcase these changemakers through our Innovations Initiative, which has amplified transformative projects from our member libraries for 15 years. This year, we are proud that more than 100 ULC member libraries shared nearly 240 innovative ideas to be considered for award recognition.