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G2S Project Code: 2015-CT-75932
State: Connecticut
Fiscal Year: 2015
Grantee
DOUGLAS LIBRARY OF HEBRON

Project Director
Director Name: Amanda Brouwer
Director Phone: 860-228-9312 ext. 316
Director Email: abrouwer@hebronct.com
General Information
Title: Growing an Appreciation for the Library - Douglas Library
State Project Code:
Start Date: 07/01/2015
End Date: 09/30/2016
Abstract: Douglas Library of Hebron expanded its offerings to young adult patrons to offer fun, educational opportunities and an outlet for completing the school district's community service requirements in a meaningful way. A new 3D printer and printing classes enabled the library to engage with the young adults differently, discussing new technologies on equal footing. In addition, installing and maintaining a community garden enabled the teens to learn new skills, contribute to the community by donating the crops to veterans at the neighboring American Legion post, and fulfill their community service requirements for graduation.

State Goal: Literacies and learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$4,941.00
$0.00
$4,118.00
$9,059.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Environment
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Classes and workshops
Narrative: The library purchased a new 3D printer and offered introductory and intermediate printing classes for staff, teens, and adults, with a two part advanced follow-up workshop for more interested teens. The library also initiated a Teen Advisory Board (TAB) to solicit teen input on programs and recruit additional volunteer help. As a result of suggestions from the TAB, the library offered additional 'tween and teen-oriented Maker classes on catapults, bath fizzes, and circuitry.

The library established a new community garden on its grounds and offered gardening workshops, including work sessions to plant seeds, build a raised bed, and install a drip irrigation system. Teens worked additional volunteer hours on their own in the garden. At the end of the summer, volunteers were able to harvest crops weekly and donate the food.


Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 18
Average number in attendance per session: 14
Number of times program administered: 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: Rural
For what age groups: 13-17 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: DOUGLAS LIBRARY OF HEBRON
Address: 22 MAIN ST.
City: HEBRON
State: CT
Zip: 06248
Activity Details
Title: Library resources
Narrative: The library purchased 36 print titles on gardening and Maker activities as well as young adult fiction. These titles became a part of the library's circulating collection and were available to all library patrons.


Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

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: 36
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 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: DOUGLAS LIBRARY OF HEBRON
Address: 22 MAIN ST.
City: HEBRON
State: CT
Zip: 06248
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
The overall atmosphere of the library has become more positive with much more teen involvement. Teens approach library staff more easily and spend more time interacting with each other. Over the fifteen month grant period, teens completed 342 community service hours, with 52 of those hours spent in the garden helping to grow vegetables. Communication with the neighboring American Legion post has improved as a result of the project. Food grown in the community garden was donated to the veterans, and the library is currently planning a book discussion group to be held at the post.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
The library's efforts paid off as intended in terms of increased young adult participation at the library.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Survey
Review of Administrative Data
Participant Observation
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:
By locating the 3D printer on the main floor near the circulation desk, where patrons could watch it print, library staff were able to engage with patrons and increase registrations for printing classes.
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: Young adults, Making