The Urban Libraries Council announced Toledo Lucas County Public Library (TLCPL) as an Innovations Initiative Honorable Mention award winner during the 2019 ULC Innovations Celebration held on Oct. 17 in Salt Lake City. The annual Innovations award program recognizes leading practices from ULC’s member library systems across the U.S. and Canada.

A panel of expert judges selected the Workforce and Development Service Model as an Honorable Mention from 260 submissions in 10 categories that showcase out-of-the box thinking and creative applications of library resource. TLCPL received recognition in the category of Workforce and Economic Development. Award winners were recognized for their level of creativity, ability for other libraries to adapt their work and the outcomes achieved. All 2019 ULC Innovations can be viewed at urbanlibraries.org.

“This year’s winners put forth bold ideas that will fundamentally bring about positive change,” said Urban Libraries Council President and CEO Susan Benton. “For this year’s Innovations Initiative, we received our most diverse and exceptional forward-thinking submissions to date. We celebrate Toledo Lucas County Public Library for presenting a groundbreaking initiative that is sure to transform their community and inspire libraries across North America.”

“Our Library’s Workforce and Development team broke the mold for how we serve entrepreneurs, in the community, and in the process, they’ve greatly expanded the impact they are having on local businesses,” said Jason Kucsma, TLCPL Executive Director.

About Urban Libraries Council

The Urban Libraries Council is an innovation and impact tank of North America’s leading public library systems. ULC drives cutting-edge research and strategic partnerships to elevate the power of libraries as essential, transformative institutions for the 21st century. More than 150 urban member libraries in the U.S. and Canada rely on ULC to identify significant challenges facing today’s communities and provide new tools and techniques to help libraries achieve stronger outcomes in education, digital inclusion, workforce and economic development, and race and social equity.