Each year, the Urban Libraries Council proudly gathers public library leaders from across North America to explore emerging challenges and opportunities facing libraries. This past October, more than 240 library leaders gathered in Philadelphia, PA for the 2024 ULC Annual Leadership Forum, themed Trust, Transformation, and Tomorrow. Read on for a full recap of the Annual Forum's activities, sessions and takeaways and see photos from the event.

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Public libraries play a crucial role in fostering civic health by providing spaces for community engagement, promoting informed citizenship, and facilitating access to resources that support democratic participation and social equity. This virtual summit included lightning talks from guest speakers, a panel discussion with library leaders, and breakout discussions with other attendees. Throughout the two-hour virtual summit, attendees explored themes related to how libraries encourage an active citizenry and help facilitate civil discourse. Speakers and panelists addressed how libraries are leading efforts to counter misinformation and disinformation, promoting race equity, and fostering socioeconomic mixing.

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In this webinar, members learned what ULC's Barbershop Books Pilot for Libraries revealed about effective library community engagement practices and reviewed findings from ULC research on this pilot. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Cleveland Public Library and Columbus Metropolitan Library staff directly about their strategies.

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ULC hosted an Innovations Office Hour on Tuesday, July 16 at 2:00 p.m. In this meeting, ULC staff provided an overview of the application process, took questions from attendees about their submissions, and provided direct technical assistance with applications.

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During this webinar designed specifically for public librarians and library staff, our featured speakers focused on enhancing summer learning programs through the integration of elements of the Science of Reading. The webinar provided attendees with evidence-based strategies and tools to take the first step in fostering literacy development among young readers and summer learning participants.

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During this meeting, members heard a mid-year report from ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater on the current state of the organization, highlights of successful programs from ULC members and details on upcoming events like the 2024 ULC Annual Leadership Forum. Members also voted on the proposed board slate, which outlines the Board Officers standing for election 2024-2025 and Board Members standing for election for the 2024-2026 term.

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From May 19-21, 2024, ULC gathered more than 40 library directors and CEOs from across North America for our 2nd Annual CEO Roundtable. Held in partnership with the LA County Library and the Los Angeles Public Library, the event focused on strategies for public libraries’ responsiveness to the critical issue of homelessness.

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In the Spring of 2024, ULC hosted the Entrepreneurship Boot Camp Series, a webinar-based learning series that provided instruction and resources for libraries to effectively support entrepreneurs. The Boot Camp was designed with two separate tracks for library staff of differing levels of expertise. Libraries are a critical support for small business owners and entrepreneurs in communities, providing access to a wide range of programs and services that can bolster their work. The full Boot Camp sessions are available to view below and can be taken as asynchronous learning.

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Members from the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library team led an insightful webinar showcasing their groundbreaking Community Leadership Certificate pilot program. This collaborative initiative between the library system and Cincinnati State Technical and Community College was created so library staff members could gain access to leadership and management roles without the prerequisite of an MLS/MLIS degree.

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ULC held this webinar to help members understand the ways public libraries can continue to provide sustainable broadband access in their communities in the wake of the end of ACP funding. Attendees heard from library leaders on the importance of effective partnerships and collaborations and a post-ACP world. Attendees also learned how to access your state’s Digital Equity Plan to identify new pathways to meet your community’s goals.

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Public libraries all across North America are discovering the power of community reads. In May 2024, ULC hosted a Member Conversation with representatives from Chicago Public Library, DC Public Library and San Francisco Public Library about the libraries' experiences hosting Big Read/City Read programs, covering everything from book selection to program design and funding.

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In this webinar, members heard from library leaders involved in NTIA’s Digital Equity Leaders Network, which has developed statewide digital equity plans. These plans are designed to engage an ecosystem of local partners, especially libraries, who are working together to implement new opportunities with funding from the Digital Equity Act. NTIA seeks to expand broadband Internet access and adoption in the U.S., expand the use of spectrum by all users, and ensure that the Internet remains an engine for continued innovation and economic growth. This webinar was co-hosted by the American Library Association (ALA), Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL), Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) and the Urban Libraries Council (ULC).

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In this March webinar, Cyndee Landrum of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Executive Director Kelvin Watson of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, and Karl Dean, Former Mayor of Nashville and ULC’s then-Immediate Past Board Chair, joined ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater for this conversation about the critical and evolving role of the library. This event was targeted to both libraries and local government leaders and will highlight what these shifts mean for the field itself, strategies for communicating this to stakeholders and the local community and how the library connects with local policy goals.

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