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G2S Project Code: 2015-AL-75271
State: Alabama
Fiscal Year: 2015
Grantee
WILCOX COUNTY LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Bettie Morgan
Director Phone: (334) 682-4355
Director Email: wilcoxlibrary@frontiernet.net
General Information
Title: Communities (Small Business Resource Center)
State Project Code: 16-9-3
Start Date: 10/01/2015
End Date: 09/30/2016
Abstract: A Strengthening Communities grant was issued to the Wilcox County Library to provide for a pilot project to help residents learn skills that will enable them to set up small home-based or online businesses.  The subject chosen for the first year was arts and crafts. Wilcox County is one of the poorest counties in Alabama and has one of the highest unemployment rates in the U.S.  The area is very rural with few local businesses and is not conducive to commuting to jobs in other areas.  The county is located in the Black Belt section of the state which is characterized by extreme poverty, poor education, and unemployment.  The population served by the library is approximately 12,000.       

State Goal: Goal 3. Support access to information, knowledge, ideas and cultural heritage through the provision of library materials in all formats and through the provision of up-to-date technology.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$20,000.00
$0.00
$5,000.00
$25,000.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' ability to use and apply business resources.
Employment
Small Business
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Art Supplies
Narrative: iPad, Cricut cutting machine, AccuQuilt GO! fabric cutter, and 10 AccuQuilt GO! dies were purchased.  Cost of individual equipment was less than $5,000.

312 books, 34 a/v materials, and 104 e-materials were purchased.  The subjects were a mixture of art related and home business titles.



Intent: Improve users' ability to use and apply business resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 3
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 312
Number of electronic materials acquired: 104
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 34


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
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: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: WILCOX COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 100 BROAD STREET
City: CAMDEN
State: AL
Zip: 36726
Activity Details
Title: Classes
Narrative: 44 classes were held on arts and crafts instruction and how to start a home business with 385 participants. 

Intent: Improve users' ability to use and apply business resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: In-person


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 0
Number of presentations/performances administered: 44
Average number in attendance per session: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
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: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: WILCOX COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 100 BROAD STREET
City: CAMDEN
State: AL
Zip: 36726
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
Participants and the general public were made aware of the business opportunities available in the rural, high unemployment area. The area newspaper took special interest in the project and provided weekly cover stories to promote it. Providing the special equipment was and will continue to be a great benefit to those needing to use it. A special area of the library was set up for this service.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
The library has limited meeting space and worked with a local business to provide class space for the larger classes. The purpose of these classes was to train local residents to produce products or services that could be used to better themselves economically.
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:
This was a pilot project designed to gauge interest in the community. Class attendance was exceptional and interest in further projects of this type has been high. The library has already secured funding from donors to continue and expand it. The public is strongly in support of future projects of this type that will benefit the area economically.
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: Yes
Exemplary NarrativeWilcox County is extremely rural with high unemployment and little chance of economic growth. The Wilcox County Library is the only library serving this county of 12,000 residents. The library has experienced budget cutbacks and has come very close to shutting down. However, the people in the area rallied around to save their only library and funding was partially restored. The library is a testimony to community outreach and trying out different programs to see what works. The residents respond positively to the library's efforts and the local media gives them ample coverage so that the community knows what is being offered for them. Designing projects to help residents become more financially secure goes a long way in generating local support.
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