ULC 2013 Top Innovators
Learning: Howard
County Library System (MD) HiTech: The Road to a STEM Career delivers
cutting-edge science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education using
hands-on technology projects, experiential learning and peer-to-peer
communications.
Civic and Community Engagement: Los Angeles Public Library (CA) Your Path to Citizenship Starts at the
Los Angeles Public Library program provides a safe place for immigrants to
access a wide range of services. Nearly 10,000 people have taken advantage of
the resources available in “citizenship corners” in all 73 library locations.
Collections:
Nashville Public Library (TN) Limitless Libraries increased circulation of
school library resources by 79 percent since its launch in 2009. Today, it
serves all 128 schools with two full-time collection development librarians and
a materials budget of more than $1 million.
From infoDOCKET: Tennessee:
Kent Oliver, Director of Nashville Public Library “Envisions Library of the
Future” (July 9, 2013)
Customer Experience: Calgary Public Library (AB) Grow a Reader Early Literacy App takes the
fun, interactive contents from early childhood literacy programs and delivers
it to parents via mobile devices. In less than two months, the Grow a Reader
app was downloaded 1,200 times.
From infoDOCKET: Get
to Know Calgary Public Library’s Free Early Literacy App “Grow a Reader”, Free
for iPad and iPhone (March 27, 2013)
Economic and Workforce Development: Saint Paul Public Library (MN) NorthStar Digital Literacy Project has
led to more outcome-driven digital literacy instruction by using assessments
for pre- and post- tests and tailoring program content to the assessment
standards. The certificate of mastery has also increased interest in computer
literacy classes, particularly among non-English speakers.
Health, Wellness and Safety: Pima County Public Library (AZ) Library Nurses Program provides a safe
and welcoming environment for all patrons and staff at library branches and
minimizes the number of 911 calls. During the program’s first year, library
nurses interacted with more than 2,800 patrons, and 911 medical calls from
libraries fell by 20 percent.
From infoDOCKET: Tucson:
“More Than Just Books: Arizona Libraries Add Public Health Nurses” (March 31,
2013)
Operations: New York
and Brooklyn Public Libraries (NY) BookOps: Shared Library Technical Services
will combine acquisitions, cataloguing, processing, sorting and delivery of
books and resources to the New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library
and will save the two library systems up to $3.5 million annually.
Organizational Change and Strategic
Management: San Francisco Public Library (CA) Community Impact through Renewed
Engagement initiated a research process to renew community connections in five
city neighborhoods. From walks in the neighborhoods, to ride-alongs with
police, to interviews with community members, the teams spent three months
gathering data and then presented their findings to community members and
library staff.
Positioning the Library: Free Library of Philadelphia (PA) Flying High: Library of Philadelphia
Touches Down in the International Airport provides library resources to airport
travelers and employees. The library’s presence at the airport is part of its
commitment to ensuring that the library remains a hub of possibilities for
residents and those just passing through the region.
Sustainability:
Sacramento Public Library (CA) Read and Feed: Partnerships for Building Healthy
Communities supports a comprehensive healthy communities initiative in a
neighborhood with a majority of its children living in poverty and limited
access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Special Honor
ULC is also honoring three libraries for their leadership in helping
communities respond to crises.
Johnson County Library (KS) A
Conversation about Sandy Hook engaged 94 community
members for a conversation about the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary
School in Newtown, Conn.
Queens Library (NY) Queens Library
Responds to Hurricane Sandy by opening a mobile
library site along the hard-hit waterfront to provide referral information and
resource sheets for shelters, food and benefits. More than 8,300 visitors used
the makeshift libraries during the first week.
Poudre River Public Library District
(CO) Libraries as First Responders formed
after a massive wildfire forced the evacuation of 3,000 people. Library staff
worked with first responder agencies to serve as an information hub that
provided up-to-date and reliable information throughout the crisis.
Direct to ULC
Top Innovators (16 pages; PDF)
