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G2S Project Code: 2014-CA-72157
State: California
Fiscal Year: 2014

Grantee
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Margaret Donnellan Todd
Director Phone: 562-940-8400
Director Email: mdtodd@library.lacounty.gov

General Information
Title: Computer Literacy en Espanol
State Project Code: 40-8483
Start Date: 08/01/2014
End Date: 07/31/2015
Abstract:

In response to our communities’ needs for computer literacy classes in Spanish, we developed a six-week course for beginning computer users for: basic mouse and keyboard skills; basic word processing; saving and opening files on a flash-drive; basic internet browsing and searching; and accessing the County of Los Angeles Public Library online resources. A trainer taught the first two sessions of the class, provided input on the curriculum, and coached two staff librarians in best practices of teaching the course. The librarians assisted with the first two sessions of the class, taught the second set of classes, and used in-class experience and the feedback of the trainer and students to revise the curriculum. The curriculum was provided to all County of Los Angeles Public Libraries to encourage and empower other libraries to offer computer literacy classes in Spanish. 59 Spanish-speaking adults participated in the class sessions and 42 completed the full course. The students increased their skills and confidence in using computers and gained increased knowledge of library resources. To encourage further learning, new computer books in Spanish were purchased and made available to the staff and customers of the County of Los Angeles Public Library.

State Goal: Goal V: Bridging the Digital Divide

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$2,900.00

$0.00

$29,615.00

$32,515.00

Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Community Concerns
Programming & Event Planning

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Computer Literacy Classes in Spanish
Narrative: A computer trainer and two librarians taught four sessions of six-week computer classes in
Spanish. The classes were targeted at beginning computer users, and taught basic mouse and
keyboard skills, basic word processing, saving and opening files on a flash drive, basic internet
browsing and searching, and accessing the online resources of the County of Los Angeles Public Library.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 90
Number of sessions in program: 6
Average number in attendance per session: 8
Number of times program administered: 4

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: Urban
For what age groups: 18-25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 years
70+ years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Hispanic
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: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: No

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 17906 Avalon Blvd.
City: Carson
State: CA
Zip: 90746
Name: LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 11940 Carson St,
City: Hawaiian Gardens
State: CA
Zip: 90716

Activity Details
Title: Computer Literacy (Spanish) Trainer
Narrative: The Computer Literacy Trainer provided input on the Spanish curriculum, trained staff in best practices for teaching computer classes, and taught the first two series of classes, with the librarians acting as assistants. The training increased the librarians’ knowledge and confidence levels and prepared them to teach the second set of classes on their own. The trainer’s input on student
learning styles, managing the class, and the structure of the curriculum assisted greatly in creating a valuable experience for the students.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: In-person
Other: In-person instruction

Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 20
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 4

Partner Information

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: 26-49 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: LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 11940 Carson St.
City: Hawaiian Gardens
State: CA
Zip: 90716
Name: LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 17906 Avalon Blvd.
City: Carson
State: CA
Zip: 90746

Activity Details
Title: Purchasing Computer Books in Spanish and Typing Tutorial Software
Narrative:

Computer books in Spanish were added to library collections and typing tutorial software was installed on library laptops. The books and the typing tutorials provided opportunities for students to work on computer their computer skills outside of the classes. The books covered class subjects in more depth, as well as new subjects. The computer books were also used project staff to help create the format and content of the curriculum.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Combined physical & digital

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 6
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 38
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0

Partner Information

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: Urban
For what age groups: 18-25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 years
70+ years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Hispanic
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: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: No

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 11940 Carson St.
City: Hawaiian Gardens
State: CA
Zip: 90716
Name: LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 17906 Avalon Blvd.
City: Carson
State: CA
Zip: 90746

Activity Details
Title: Spanish Computer Class Curriculum
Narrative:

Library staff developed curriculum and 6 Power Point presentations in Spanish for a six-week beginning computer class. The curriculum focused on basic mouse and keyboard skills, basic word processing, saving and opening files on a flash drive, basic internet browsing and searching, and accessing County of Los Angeles Public Library online resources. Library staff used input from the computer trainer and students and their classroom observations to edit and refine the curriculum throughout the project. After the completion of the classes, project funds were used to print and bind 50 copies of the curriculum, so that it can be used in future classes; a PDF version of the curriculum was posted on the County of Los Angeles Public Library staff intranet to allow easy access for other staff.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Combined physical & digital

Quantity
Number of items digitized: 0
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 0
Number of physical items: 50
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 7
Number of plans/frameworks: 0

Partner Information

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
According to students who completed a pre- and post-survey: 68% felt increased confidence in using computers; 70% felt increased confidence in using the internet; 79% increased their knowledge of library resources; 82% increased their basic internet skills; 93% increased their basic computer skills; 100% wrote that they enjoyed the classes and that they would like to continue learning about computers, the internet, and specific programs like Word and Excel. Students also experienced a renewed or increased sense of the importance of computer literacy. Student Rosario S. shared in her post-survey: “El tener una clase de computación nos ayuda a poder usarlo en la vida diario, y seguir estudiando y poder conseguir un mejor trabajo y poder realizarnos como personas.” Translation: “Having a computer class helps us to be able to use [computers] in our daily lives, and to continue studying, and to be able to get a better job, and to be more fulfilled as people.”] Student Maria A. wrote: “Esta clase me es importante y de mucha ayuda para integrarnos a los nuevos tiempos del mundo de la computación.” [Translation: This class is important to me and is very helpful to integrate us into this new age of computers.”] Student Irene S. wrote; “Yo recomiendo a otra persona por ahora en este milenio todos los persona tenemos que aprender computadora es muy importante.” [Translation: I will recommend to other people because now in this millennium everybody needs to learn computers it is very important.] The librarians and computer trainer teaching the classes observed that even the students who had started the course with the lowest levels of confidence regarding computers gained many valuable skills they had previously lacked, such as using the mouse and keyboard, opening software programs, and conducting a basic internet search. Based on self-evaluations written before and after the project, there were also several positive outcomes for the library staff involved. Although both librarians are bilingual, Spanish is their 2nd language, and at the beginning of the project, both noted that they knew only basic vocabulary regarding computers, and that they felt somewhat anxious at teaching a 90-minute class entirely in Spanish, both because of the linguistic challenge and because they had no experience teaching. After completing the curriculum, working with the computer trainer, and teaching the classes themselves, both librarians noted increases in their knowledge of Spanish computer terms, their comfort level in teaching in Spanish, and their confidence in teaching computer classes.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
The student surveys, observations, and self-evaluations show that this project met its goals to increase the confidence and skill levels of the students and library staff. The interest level of the students in continuing their education also shows that this project should continue and, when possible, be expanded to include intermediate-level classes.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Survey
Participant Observation
Other
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:
The librarians were surprised at some of the statistical results from their surveys, as, based on their observations, 100% of the students who completed the course increased both their confidence levels and skill levels in all areas. Upon reviewing the surveys, the librarians realized that the survey responses were sometimes inconsistent; for example, a student who had marked on both the pre- and post- survey that she only felt only “a little” confident using computers remarked in the comments that the class had helped her grow more confident in using the computer. These results helped the librarians understand that future evaluations either needed to be expressed more clearly or with a wider scale of evaluations – perhaps by using a 0- to-10 scale instead having students choose from three-to-four descriptive phrases. The student comments and observations by the trainer and library staff also emphasize the value of testing and refining a project. By going through the classes four times, and refining the curriculum during and after the classes, the librarians involved in the project have a much higher level of confidence both in their teaching ability and in the value of their curriculum than if the classes had only been taught once and the curriculum remained static. Two of the previous challenges to teaching computer classes in Spanish were the lack of a curriculum and lack of experience. This project has done away with both challenges: library staff now has a tested curriculum that is printed and bound and can be used in future classes, and the librarians involved in the project have the training, experience, and confidence to continue to teach the classes. Most importantly, input from students in the classes and even from community members who were not able to attend the initial classes shows that there continues to be both a need and a desire for these classes in the communities served by the libraries.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
Yes: Having a vetted curriculum and trained, experienced staff will allow us to offer future classes that require much less preparation and research for the librarians involved in the project. The positive responses of the students to the classes and new connections with community members and organizations will allow promotion of future classes with less effort. The classes in Hawaiian Gardens filled up so quickly that the library staff established a wait list; the individuals on this list are a pre-made target audience for the next set of classes. As the initial project resulted in bound and electronic copies of the curriculum, flash drives for student use, training materials, and computer books to enhance the collections and support further learning, the biggest future “expense” the project will require is staff time.
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: Computer Literacy, Adult Literacy, Outreach to Hispanic Communities