Funding: Urban Libraries Unite (ULU) Receives Four-Year, $1 Million Grant From Mellon Foundation

The Mellon Foundation has awarded Urban Librarians Unite (ULU) one million dollars in general operating support over the next four years through its Public Knowledge program. This signiicant gift, the largest ever received by ULU, is a powerful recognition of our history of work supporting urban library professionals and will empower ULU to enhance current initiatives including professional development, mentorship, and resources tailored to the unique needs of those working in urban libraries.

Executive Director Lauren Comito says, “ULU has been a labor of love for our community of library workers for over a decade. This support will allow us to build that community and work together to provide support and resources to urban library workers across the country” The one million dollar grant will fuel Urban Librarians Unite’s commitment to professional development programs, mentorship initiatives, and resources designed to address the unique challenges faced by urban library workers by funding new positions and adding operational capacity.

Through this support, ULU aims to provide the support and community needed to fortify the skills, resilience, and eectiveness of those who dedicate themselves to providing essential library services in urban settings. This transformational grant will allow ULU to expand its operations, ind other sustainable funding sources, and employ sta. With this increased capacity, ULU will continue to focus on library worker health and safety, expand our publication work, and work to create policy models to address library issues at local, regional, and national levels. It will renew and expand core projects like library advocacy and refugee support while allowing the organization to explore new challenges and opportunities.

“We are beyond thrilled to receive the incredibly generous gift from the Mellon Foundation,” said Jen Manley, Chair of the ULU Board of Directors. “ULU has been in the trenches ighting for librarians and libraries in urban settings here in NYC and nationally for over a decade now. This gift is signiicant not just in its size and its impact, but in its recognition of the importance and eectiveness of ULU’s work since day one. We could not be more grateful to the Mellon Foundation for seeing, understanding and supporting our vision.”

Urban Librarians Unite extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Mellon Foundation for recognizing the importance of investing in the well-being and professional growth of urban library workers. This collaboration signiies a shared commitment to ensuring that urban library workers are given the support they need to remain agents of their communities, creating vibrant hubs of knowledge and community engagement.