From the Urban Libraries Council:
The Urban Libraries Council has recognized 20 libraries for their innovative programs, services and operating practices – from race and social equity to civic engagement and economic development.
The 2018 Top Innovators and Honorable Mentions were presented during a special Innovations Celebration on September 6. The event was part of ULC’s 2018 Annual Forum—Leading Forward. Award winners were chosen by a panel of expert judges who considered 220 submissions in 10 categories of library service and operations.
“The modern library is a public laboratory, continually thinking of and executing bold, new and purposeful programs that benefit us all,” said Susan Benton, Urban Libraries Council President and CEO. “I congratulate these libraries and all public libraries who demonstrate a commitment to transformative and creative community leadership.”
The Award-Winning Top Innovators and Honorable Mentions include:
Education: Birth through Teens
Top Innovator: San Francisco Public Library “FOG Readers: Helping Struggling Readers Succeed”
Honorable Mention: Lexington Public Library “Snow Day Mini-Videos”
Education: Adults
Top Innovator: Brooklyn Public Library “Teacher Lab: Library Literacy and Classroom Teachers”
Honorable Mention: San Jose Public Library “Empowerment Through Writing”
Collections
Top Innovator: Ottawa Public Library “Offering Express eBooks”
Honorable Mention: DC Public Library “The Memory Lab Network”
Customer Experience
Top Innovator: Spokane Public Library “Lilac City Live”
Honorable Mention: Howard County Library System “DIY Education Center”
Positioning the Library
Top Innovator: Austin Public Library “Austin Public Library Social Media Ambassadors”
Honorable Mention: Gwinnett County Public Libraries “Expanding Library Access with Livestream and Video”
Workforce and Economic Development
Top Innovator: Hartford Public Library “Immigrant Career Pathways Initiative”
Honorable Mention: Providence Public Library “Rhode Coders and Data Navigators: Technology Careers”
Race and Social Equity
Top Innovator: Pima County Public Library “Library Restorative Practices for Youth”
Honorable Mention: Edmonton Public Library “Voices of Amiskwaciy”
Civic and Community Engagement
Top Innovator: Los Angeles Public Library “New Americans Initiative”
Honorable Mention: Montgomery County Public Libraries “Reading and Educating to Advnace Lives: REAL Change”
Health, Safety and Sustainability
Top Innovator: Broward County Library “BCLFit Wellness Centers”
Honorable Mention: Kansas City Public Library “Be Smart Safe Gun Storage”
Organizational Change and Strategic Management
Top Innovator: San Mateo County Libraries “Building Engagement to Accelerate Employee Performance”
Honorable Mention: Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library “Creating a Dynamic, Modern Library Staffing Model”
Learn More, Details About Each Program and Library
24 pages; PDF.
See Also: Learn About About Innovation Awards (Winners and Submissions, 2010-1018)
About Gary Price
