FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2014
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) has been recognized by the Urban Libraries Council (ULC) as one of its Top Innovators of 2014. SCCLD was presented with the top award in the “Collections” category at the NEXT Library Conference in Chicago. This award recognizes SCCLD’s partnership with Silicon Valley start-up company, JukePop, Inc., that revives the lost art of episodic–fiction and introduces a new service to library patrons that provides free access to self-published e-books.
The Santa Clara County Library District’s project was selected by a panel of expert judges from more than 180 ULC Innovations Initiative applications. Top Innovator Awards honor organizations who demonstrate creative new approaches and practices which ensure public libraries continue to meet expanding community needs. Twenty-two libraries from around the country were recognized in ten different award categories for their innovative programs, services, and operating practices.
“We are honored to receive this award from the Urban Libraries Council,” commented Jason Baker, Campbell City Council Member and Chair of the Santa Clara County Library District Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Board. “By joining forces with JukePop, Inc., our libraries are now able to provide free access to stories written by talented up-and-coming self-published authors.”
“Our partnership with SCCLD provides the public with easy access to over 1,100 free, online self-published serial novels in an e-book format. Self-published authors now have a viable platform to showcase their stories, chapter by chapter, building readership and gathering feedback,” said Jerry Fan, Founder and CEO of JukePop, Inc.
All self-published content is first curated by JukePop, Inc. and then further refined by librarians before final selections are offered for free on the SCCLD website: www.sccl.org/episodic-fiction. A library card is not required to view the content.
ULC’s Top Innovators for 2014:
Category: Collections
Top Innovator: Santa Clara County Library District (CA) SCCLD – JukePop Launch Self-Publishing
Honorable Mention: Pikes Peak Library District (CO) Waldo Canyon Fire Digital Collection
Category: Leading Learning
Top Innovator: Grand Rapids Public Library (MI) DigiBridge
Honorable Mention: Palo Alto City Library (CA) makeX: Teen Mobile Makerspace
Category: Civic and Community Engagement
Top Innovator: Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library (KS) Librarians Facilitate Community Change
Honorable Mention: Wichita Public Library (KS) Activate Wichita
Category: Customer Category: Experience
Top Innovator: Denver Public Library (CO) DPL Connect: A Pedal-Powered Bookmobile
Honorable Mention: Edmonton Public Library (AB) Great Stuff: EPL Makes It Personal!
Category: Economic and Workforce Development
Top Innovator: Memphis Public Library (TN) JobLINC: Mobile Bus for Job Seekers and Employers
Honorable Mention: King County Library System (WA) Building a Workforce that Reflects Our Community
Category: Health, Wellness, and Public Safety
Top Innovator: Houston Public Library (TX) Healthy L.I.F.E
Honorable Mention: Pima County Public Library (AZ) Santa Rosa Snacks
Category: Operations
Top Innovator: Aurora Public Library (CO) Library in a Big Box
Honorable Mention: Cuyahoga County Public Library (OH) MOVE TEAM!
Category: Organizational Change and Strategic Management
Top Innovator: Skokie Public Library (IL) Realigning for Greater Access, Learning, and Community
Honorable Mention: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (NC) WorkSmart for Process Improvement and Innovation
Category: Positioning the Library
Top Innovator: Durham County Library (NC) First Library in Space
Honorable Mention: Springfield City Library (MA) Imagine: A Peace-Full City
Category: Sustainability
Top Innovator: Salt Lake County Library Services (UT) Sustainability Initiative
Honorable Mention: Milwaukee Public Library (WI) Better Building Challenge Showcase Facility
In addition, ULC is honoring two libraries for their leadership in helping their communities respond to crises: Pioneer Library System (OK) Virtual Response: May 2013 Oklahoma Tornadoes
Calgary Public Library (AB) Come Hell or High Water
Read more about the Top Innovators at urbanlibraries.org.
About the Santa Clara County Library District
Known as one of America’s best 100 public libraries, the Santa Clara County Library District promotes knowledge, ideas, and cultural enrichment. Its collection includes more than 1.9 million books, videos, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, eBooks and extensive online resources accessible from home or work.
For eleven years, the Library has ranked as one of the best in the nation for its size by Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings. Also recognized as one of America’s 2013 Star Libraries by Library Journal, the Santa Clara County Library District is one of the most-used public resources in the region.
The Santa Clara County Library District includes two bookmobiles, an online library, seven community libraries and one branch library serving Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Saratoga and the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. In 2013, the Santa Clara County Library District had more than 215,000 library cardholders and welcomed 3.2 million visitors who borrowed 9.7 million items. Visit Santa Clara County Library District online at www.sccl.org.
About the Urban Libraries Council
As a membership organization made up of America’s premier public library systems and the organizations that serve them, the Urban Libraries Council (ULC) has spent more than 40 years enriching urban communities by strengthening their public libraries. While ULC members primarily represent urban and suburban libraries, lessons from their work are widely used by all libraries. ULC serves as a forum for thought leaders sharing best and next practices resulting from targeted research, education, and emerging trends. Our programs are recognized for creating new frameworks that invigorate public libraries and their communities.
Contact:
Derek Wolfgram/Mark Fink/Lili Smith
Santa Clara County Library District
(408) 293-2326 ext. 3002/3010/3014
