Urban Libraries

The Urban Libraries Council (ULS) will identify strategies and define models for barrier-free access to learning for kids, from Universal Library Card adoption to fully integrated municipal One Card systems. On April 30, 2015, President Obama issued the ConnectED Library Challenge calling upon library leaders to work with their mayors, school leaders and librarians to create or strengthen partnerships so that every child enrolled in school can receive a library card. In response, ULC successfully rallied over 30 public libraries and their communities to answer the challenge. To ensure success, the cooperative agreement will identify and share leading practices for adoption of universal or one card systems. ULC will also describe and document successful programs and models so that other cities and counties across the United States can successfully implement a program that ensures a library card in every student's hand.