Urban Libraries Council

06/03/2026

In an exclusive new interview with Louisville Public Media, Louisville Free Public Library mascots Gorp and Stick share what’s in store for the library’s “Wild About Reading” summer reading program, from prizes and activities to the books and outdoor adventures inspiring their own summer reading lists. LPM’s Ayisha Jaffer spoke with library mascots and Louisville celebrities Gorp and Stick about what readers can expect from the program, their love of libraries and what’s on their own summer reading lists...

Read more: https://buff.ly/AvOBBkz

Library mascots Gorp and Stick share what’s in store for Louisville Free Public Library’s “Wild About Reading” summer reading program, from prizes and activities to the books and outdoor adventures inspiring their own summer reading lists.

06/02/2026

Today, the Urban Libraries Council joins 8 leading cultural organizations in delivering a simple message to Congress: protect and expand funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

Museums, libraries, and archives form the bedrock of our nation and communities, long serving as gateways to knowledge, literacy, workforce skills, culture, and civic life in uniquely American ways. As the nation celebrates our 250th anniversary, it’s more critical than ever to celebrate the institutions that stand at the past, present and future of every American community: rural or urban, large or small.

Read the full sign-on letter here: https://buff.ly/6upvC0c

06/01/2026

NYPL The New York Public Library Chief Librarian and ULC Board Member Brian Bannon for The New York Times: "We had opened the library for a large-scale reading party for the first time. [..] There weren’t enough chairs, and we ended up turning hundreds of people away. This was not an anomaly. More New Yorkers are borrowing books from the New York Public Library today than 15 years ago; borrowing is up 27 percent since 2010. And yet America is facing a book-reading crisis."

Read the new op-ed here: https://buff.ly/ZHdQVsW

06/01/2026

Read ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater's latest monthly message: "Over the past several months, I have had conversations with library leaders across North America that reinforce something important: public libraries continue to play an increasingly visible and essential role in our communities... At ULC, our work is centered on supporting you and your teams as you lead through this moment."

"Just last week, ULC joined with ARSL, COSLA, CULC, and PLA to publicly address the ongoing e-books pricing crisis and call for change from the largest publishers. This unified effort reinforces the importance of libraries speaking collectively around access, literacy, and the future of reading."

Read more: https://buff.ly/LFNZsGi

05/29/2026

Whether it be as a university student or now as the mother of a toddler son, Ayesha Naseem has spent countless hours at Milton Public Library's Main branch. So when the chance to put her artistic stamp on a place she considers a “second home” presented itself, it was a bona fide pinch-me moment.

“Honestly, it was one of those 'dream come true and I can’t believe it’s happening to me' opportunities,” said the 29-year-old Miltonian, a project manager by trade who’s in the midst of creating a lively, interactive mural in the library’s children’s area. Now Naseem is embracing what MPL Director of Customer Experience Chris Dorscht calls the five practices of early literacy – namely sing, talk, read, write and play.

Read more:

Ayesha Naseem bringing five early literacy practices to life at Main branch

05/29/2026

Libraries are typically quiet spaces, but this month, inside Baltimore County Public Library branches, the loud roar of drums fills the air. The sounds are being created by Taiko instructor and performer Mark H. Rooney, who uses music to bring people together and share his Japanese heritage. Taiko drumming has been a part of Japanese culture for centuries. The word "Taiko" is the Japanese word for "drum."

For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Rooney is performing at Baltimore County Public Library Branches. WJZ caught up with him at the Essex Branch, where he performed both traditional and contemporary songs and rhythms. "Probably outside of a pipe organ, it might be the loudest instrument in the world," Rooney laughed.

Learn more: https://buff.ly/vAQ576X

A Taiko drum instructor is bringing Japanese Culture to Baltimore County for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

05/27/2026

ULC joins our peers at the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL), the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), Canadian Urban Libraries Council / Conseil des bibliothèques urbaines du Canada (CULC/CBUC), and the Public Library Association (PLA) to publicly call attention to the e-books pricing crisis and demand change from the largest publishers.

This effort matters because it sends a message that, as organizations advocating for and representing nearly all public libraries in the US and Canada – small and large, urban and rural, and everything in between – we stand united for change while open for dialogue, at a moment when states are turning up the pressure on publishers with legislative efforts.

Read our full statement: https://buff.ly/cbnGjrd

05/27/2026

With the support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), ULC and the Safe Routes Partnership have collaborated since 2024 to lay the groundwork for a national "Safe Routes to Libraries" program — designed to foster walking, biking, and rolling access to public library buildings across the United States.

In February 2025, we surveyed members of ULC and the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) to understand the existing landscape of Safe Routes to Libraries work before the implementation of a national initiative. This new Impact Brief explores the work libraries are already doing across North America to improve the walkability and bikeability of their buildings — from transportation safety and bike education programs to community audits and StoryWalks!

Read the Impact Brief now: https://buff.ly/dWNmap9

Thanks to our program partners Safe Routes Partnership, Association for Rural & Small Libraries, and Dr. Noah Lenstra of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

05/26/2026

Cleveland is celebrating its 230th year, and a massive new initiative is bringing the entire city together: "One Cleveland." One Cleveland is a citywide civic pride campaign from Cleveland Public Library that celebrates the people, neighborhoods, stories, and institutions that connect Clevelanders. CPL Executive Director & CEO Felton Thomas, Jr. spoke to Cleveland 19 News about the initiative.

Programming will take place over the next year and has already kicked off with "Cleveland 230," a recognition of individuals whose work, leadership, and impact reflect the spirit and strength of the city. Starting with city founder Moses Cleaveland, the library will announce one "Cleveland 230" member every day for the rest of the year. One Cleveland programming will take place in all 27 CPL branches in the greater Cleveland area.

Watch the story:

Celebrating 230 Years: Cleveland Public Library Launches 'One Cleve...

05/26/2026

ULC is excited to welcome Boone County Public Library (Kentucky) as our newest member! Please join us in welcoming their staff to the ULC network!