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G2S Project Code: 2015-AZ-75596
State: Arizona
Fiscal Year: 2015
Grantee
AVONDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Jesse Caufield
Director Phone: 623-333-2643
Director Email: jcaufield@avondale.org
General Information
Title: Special Lending Items: Exploration, Recreation and Healthier Living
State Project Code: 2015-0010-01
Start Date: 05/20/2015
End Date: 08/01/2016
Abstract: LSTA funds were used to purchase special lending items that focus on health and wellness to add to the library’s collection. This new special collection is for all ages, and is particularly geared towards families to interact together while exercising and exploring the outdoors. The items were cataloged together as one collection called Beyond Books. Items purchased included telescopes, binoculars, weights, kettlebells,  animal anatomy kits for STEM learning, outdoor exploration kits, Baggo, croquet, horse shoes, BlongoBall, tennis racquets, golf clubs, scales, park play kits, indoor parachute, metal detector, a step workout kit, and a geocaching kit. 
Avondale is a Let’s Move City, and these lending items help encourage exercise and outdoor participation.
State Goal: Collections
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$5,500.00
$0.00
$294.66
$5,794.66
Intent(s)
Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their personal or family health & wellness.
Personal/Family health & wellness
Collection Development & Management
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Collecting Special Lending Items for Health and Wellness
Narrative: The Avondale Public Library acquired one or two items of 57 different types of materials, accounting for a total of 124 items. These items were cataloged and barcoded for check out. Staff created informational cards for each item detailing the contents, and these cards were used for check out. The items were cataloged together as one collection called Beyond Books, and the cards were kept in a special display unit located at each of the two library locations.
Intent: Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their personal or family health & wellness.

Activity: Content
Mode: Description
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of items made discoverable to the public: 124
Number of collections made discoverable to the public: 1
Number of metadata plans/frameworks produced/updated: 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: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: AVONDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 11350 N CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
City: AVONDALE
State: AZ
Zip: 85323
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
There were 295 total checkouts of special lending items over a period of nine months. The Beyond Books lending collection accounts for only 0.125% of the total collection, but accounted for 0.2% of total circulations during the time it was available. 100% of surveyed participants indicated that they would continue to check out items from this collection. 100% of surveyed participants said they used the time to engage in a healthy activity, either going outdoors or engaging in exercise. 75% of surveyed participants said that their experience with the item made them want to engage in that healthy activity more. 92% of participants also agreed that it was a good idea to have new, nontraditional items available alongside traditional books and DVDs, specifying that it was “a great idea”, “a wonderful idea”, “[good] for the growth of the library and its guests”, and “awesome!”.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The special lending items helped enhance family engagement. One patron said that they used the outdoor adventure kit “to spend time with kids and learn how to use all equipment as intended…We took a nice hike and used all equipment. They really enjoyed using binoculars.” Another said that they used the dumbbells for “exercise, and quality time with my wife.” Another checked out the scale because they had “been working out, wanted to get weighed in before new year.” Regarding the stomach model they checked out, a participant said “we talked about healthy food and why it’s better for our bodies…we love learning about health and why we do what we do.”
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
A few of the more exciting items, like the telescope, were very popular but also seemed to be more susceptible to damage or not being returned. These items are still a good idea, as long as the price point isn’t too high, as they may need to be re-ordered.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
Yes
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: