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G2S Project Code: 2014-MD-74547
State: Maryland
Fiscal Year: 2014
Grantee
CALVERT LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Carrie Plymire
Director Phone: 410-535-0291
Director Email: cplymire@somd.lib.md.us
General Information
Title: Association for Rural & Small Libraries, 2015 Conference Scholarships
State Project Code: Subgrants
Start Date: 08/15/2015
End Date: 12/15/2015
Abstract: The subgrant provided the opportunity for five Maryland public library staff from around the state to attend the 2015 Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) conference for the first time. 
State Goal: Statewide Initiative: Staff Development
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$6,137.68
$0.00
$0.00
$6,137.68
Intent(s)
Improve the library workforce.
Continuing Education and Staff Development
Activities
Activity Details
Title: 2015 ARSL Conference
Narrative: Five Maryland library staff attended the four-day conference. Session highlights included Attract and Inspire Your Community's Youth with NASA Activities, Groove to the Beat and Move your Feet, 15 Ways to Spice Up Your Library's Facebook Page, and Now for Something Completely Different: Creating a 'Culture of Yes' at your library and in your community. 
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Other
Format: Other
Other: Conference travel for librarians


Quantity


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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: CALVERT LIBRARY
Address: 850 COSTLEY WAY
City: PRINCE FREDERICK
State: MD
Zip: 20678
Name: CARROLL COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1100 GREEN VALLEY ROAD
City: NEW WINDSOR
State: MD
Zip: 21776
Name: CHARLES COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 2 GARRETT AVENUE
City: LA PLATA
State: MD
Zip: 20646
Name: HARFORD COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1221-A BRASS MILL ROAD
City: BELCAMP
State: MD
Zip: 21017
Name: KENT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 408 HIGH STREET
City: CHESTERTOWN
State: MD
Zip: 21620
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
The scholarship recipients reported about their ARSL conference experience in the CRAB, the Maryland Library Association’s quarterly newsletter. Please see the full article attached. Brief excerpts are included below and in the next section. "Some of us had never been to a professional conference and others were conference veterans, but all of us were first time attendees at ARSL. We came away from the conference with renewed passion and many ideas about how to improve service and how to leverage our small size as an asset. Several months later, what we remember most are ideas tied to our communities and our ability to provide personal service."
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
"Another theme that emerged was “Create a culture of YES!” As small organizations, we have a huge advantage in how fast we can change – but this change is only possible if staff is empowered to build relationships with the community and bring the community’s ideas back to the library. Since ARSL, several of us have revisited and revised policies and procedures that were less patron-friendly than they could be. One of our Maryland attendees will be leading a training session in her system based on two customer service themes: the culture of yes, and delighting your patrons. Another one is creating a “No to Yes” log to track the ways they can better serve patrons."
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
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:

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
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