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G2S Project Code: 2014-DC-73925
State: District of Columbia
Fiscal Year: 2014

Grantee
District of Columbia Public Library

Project Director
Director Name: Marcia Harrington
Director Phone: 202-727-2554
Director Email: marcia.harrington@dc.gov

General Information
Title: Adult Literacy Resource Center
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2014
End Date: 09/30/2015
Abstract:

The DC Public Library used LSTA funds to:

fund a consultant to conduct interviews and focus groups and gather information on possible future directions for the library's adult literacy services
purchase books for the ALRC’s book discussion series for adult learners, A Feel for Books
support the salaries of four staff members in the Adult Literacy Resource Center who provide information and referral services and assist in the Adult Learning Lab

State Goal: Lifelong Learning

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$294,030.72

$208,248.46

$0.00

$502,279.18

Intent(s)
Improve users' formal education.
Adult Literacy

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Recommendations for Future Directions: A Report on Focus Group and Interview Feedback to the Adult Literacy Resource Center (ALRC), DC Public Library
Narrative: This project captured key themes and ideas suggested by 3 focus groups (24 participants) of library staff, instructors, tutors, and partner service providers who use the ALRC services and 3 interviews with city leaders in the field of adult literacy. Eight recommendations for developing future directions/services resulted:

Become a state-of-the art training center;
Use/partner with the Adult and Career Pathways Taskforce;
Broaden the focus of ALRC services;
Expand services that prepare low-skilled adults to access and use technology;
Build access to ALRC services by pushing them out to branches;
Support adult learner persistence;
Scaffold library resources, exhibits, and events to build basic skills and knowledge;
Revisit staff roles.

Intent: Improve users' formal education.

Activity: Planning & Evaluation
Mode: Prospective
Format: Third party

Quantity
Number of evaluations and/or plans funded: 1
Number of funded evaluation and/or plans completed: 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: Urban
For what age groups: 18-25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 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: Yes: leaders in adult learning throughout the city; instructors, service providers, library staff

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 1
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Book Purchase
Narrative: DC Public Library used LSTA funds to purchase 317 books for its adult learner book discussion series, A Feel for Books.
Intent: Improve users' formal education.

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: 317
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: Below Poverty
Unemployed
For what ethnicity types: Black
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: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: No

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 1
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Information & Referral; Adult Learning Lab Assessments,Tutoring & Assisted Learning
Narrative: DC Public Library used LSTA funds for salary support for four staff members of the Adult Literacy Resource Center. These staff members provide information and referral services for patrons as well as assessments, tutoring, and assisted learning in the Adult Learning Lab.
Intent: Improve users' formal education.

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

Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 5,995
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 500

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: Below Poverty
Unemployed
For what ethnicity types: Black
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: Yes
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: No

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 1
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:

Please briefly describe importance of findings:

What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
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:
No
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: Ad ult Literacy