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G2S Project Code: 2014-CT-73089
State: Connecticut
Fiscal Year: 2014
Grantee
DARIEN LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Mallory Arents
Director Phone: 203-669-5254
Director Email: marents@darienlibrary.org
General Information
Title: Senior Moments - Darien
State Project Code:
Start Date: 07/01/2014
End Date: 06/30/2015
Abstract: When Darien Library formed a Senior Advisory Board, it became apparent to library administrators that there was a need in this target population for more hands-on workshops that encourage socialization and interaction among participants. In response, the library created Senior Moments, a monthly coffee and conversation program for seniors in the community. During the one-year grant period, the library hosted eleven monthly programs on topics selected with input from the Senior Advisory Board to attract local seniors who don't usually attend library programs. The programs alternated between hands-on workshops and academic-style lectures and concerts. The library also acquired materials to create circulating kits of books to encourage interaction between grandparents and grandchildren.



State Goal: Literacies and learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$5,000.00
$0.00
$5,000.03
$10,000.03
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Programs
Narrative: The library hosted film screenings, technology instruction, and monthly programs, alternating lectures with hands-on or active programs. Subjects included a painting party, origami instruction, historical lecture on the origins of World War I, line dancing, Qigong, lecture by Stamford Symphony music director, lecture on history of Grand Central Terminal, hands-on Excel instruction, concert and lecture on popular love songs from World War II, technology instruction called "Gabbin' with Grandkids" via Facetime or Skype, a short story discussion group, and the history of Sing Sing prison.



Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 75
Number of sessions in program: 12
Average number in attendance per session: 31
Number of times program administered: 1


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Suburban
For what age groups: 50-59 years
60-69 years
70+ years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: DARIEN LIBRARY
Address: 1441 POST ROAD
City: DARIEN
State: CT
Zip: 06820
Activity Details
Title: Items for the library collection
Narrative: The library created circulating kits – tote bags featuring the "Gabbin' with Grandkids" logo – that contain several books meant specifically for grandparents. All the books have rhythmic narratives and large, bright illustrations that can be seen easily via Facetime or Skype. Patrons can check out the kits and take them home, then use the materials while interacting with grandchildren



Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 80
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Suburban
For what age groups: 50-59 years
60-69 years
70+ years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: DARIEN LIBRARY
Address: 1441 POST ROAD
City: DARIEN
State: CT
Zip: 06820
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
66% of participants reported having mastered a skill within the program period. 100% of participants reported having gained new knowledge within the program period. 82% of participants reported feeling connected to the community during the program period. Senior Moments attracted 23 new participants who had never attended a library program before.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
The project was successful in conveying new knowledge and skills to participants. The project director was particularly impressed by survey results indicating that every participant gained new knowledge as a result of attending a Senior Moments program. In the future, Darien Library will use that measure, rather than attendance numbers, to assess the impact of its programs.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Survey
Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field:

Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
Yes: The library will continue to offer monthly Senior Moments programs using funds from their own budget.
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
No
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
No
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: Older adults