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G2S Project Code: 2015-NV-76151
State: Nevada
Fiscal Year: 2015

Grantee
Carson City Library

Project Director
Director Name: Diane Baker
Director Phone: 775-283-7554
Director Email: dbaker@clan.lib.nv.us

General Information
Title: Nevada's Working Capital
State Project Code: 15-10
Start Date: 03/01/2015
End Date: 06/30/2016
Abstract: Through Nevada's Working Capital, the Carson City Library highlighted its role as a pivotal community resource for workforce development. The library leveraged its technology and special programs in boiler presentations to expose patrons to focused, informal STEM learning that was expressly relevant to local manufacturers. Building upon this, library patrons were able to access training and additional practice, outside of school or work. In addition they had access to specialized engineering design software (SolidWorks). The project delivered to community members an option for varied learning opportunities linked from the library that directly led to a Manufacturing Technician 1 (MT1) certificate,
a nationally portable and endorsed credential that demonstrates understanding of essential industry-wide technical skills for existing and emerging employers in advanced manufacturing industries.
The certification consists of two levels: Manufacturing Specialist (MS) and the full Manufacturing Technician 1. Those who earn this documentation are able to demonstrate their expertise in basic level, advanced manufacturing practical skills. These skills include manufacturing technology, math and measurement, quality and business acumen, and spatial reasoning. The Carson City Library took advantage of this unique opportunity to collaborate with Western Nevada College (WNC) and the Manufacturing Skills Institute (MSI) to help fill a workforce training need for area manufacturers: an apprenticeship portal that fosters community-based learning in highly focused science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills, essential for advanced manufacturing jobs.

State Goal: Goal II: Encourage Nevada libraries to develop and use partnerships and collaboration to maximize user resources and services throughout the state.

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$72,910.48

$0.00

$25,226.79

$98,137.27

Intent(s)
Improve users' ability to use resources and apply information for employment support.
Education
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Training and Certification
Narrative: Carson City Library worked to increase STEM skills within the local workforce with library programs, resources and local collaborations to provide opportunities for learners to practice and acquire real world tech skills. Output measures of the project that help produce this change include;
1. Development of program trainers and high tech learning center: 5 Manufacturing Skills Institute (MSI) certified trainers - 2 - Carson City Library; 2 - Western Nevada College; 1 - Washoe County Library. 3 MSI certified proctors. Advanced-level dedicated training center - 1 3-D printer (LSTA funds); 10 computer training stations, 1 projector-training stations, computer furnishings (Library Match funds)
2. 60 participants qualified for scholarship support through both institutions - Carson City Library and Western Nevada College. The program had 77 students; there were 61 Manufacturing Technician (MT1) certification earned during the program: 12 at Carson City Library and 49 through Western Nevada College. Included in the WNC group were Jump-Start students from Carson High School and participants in the combined super-fast track cohort. Two (2) Manufacturing Specialist (MS) certificate only were earned. The remaining participants did not pass the tests or only passed one test. MT1 certificates require an average 80-100 hours of coursework.
3. There were 8 cohorts in total. The library had 5 cohorts: 3 fast-track and 2 super fast-track. At Western Nevada College, 2 traditional semester programs were held. There was 1 Library-College combined cohort, super-fast track directed to employees from local area manufacturers.
Intent: Improve users' ability to use resources and apply information for employment support.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 4,800
Number of sessions in program: 8
Average number in attendance per session: 9
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: General

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: CARSON CITY LIBRARY
Address: 900 NORTH ROOP STREET
City: CARSON CITY
State: NV
Zip: 89701
Name: Carson City School District
Address: 1402 W King St
City: Carson City
State: NV
Zip: 89703
Name: Western Nevada College
Address: 2201 West College Parkway
City: Carson City
State: NV
Zip: 89703-7399

Activity Details
Title: Collection Development
Narrative: Library Materials added: 35 print, video and non-print items (inlcuding Snap Circuits) were added to the library's collection.

Intent: Improve users' ability to use resources and apply information for employment support.

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: 35
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0

Partner Information

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
Nevada's Working Capital effected changes in the learning states of the participants. Major Outcome: Project participants displayed increased knowledge/skill as result of on the Manufacturing Technician training program, learning modules and lab experience. The increase in knowledge was specifically demonstrated with each Manufacturing Technician 1 certificate gained through passing the three tests of the Manufacturing Skills Institute accredited program. Those who earned the MT1 certificate obtained a marketable workforce credential. 61 MT1 certificates from 77 students. 79% of students demonstrated the increased level of knowledge required to qualify for the MT1 certificate.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
Additional Outcome: Both the Carson City Library and Western Nevada College gained new connections or improved the level of connection with local manufacturers. This has provided a base for the library and college to continue workforce development projects and allows for the potential to explore new or related workforce projects. Additional Result: The Library has strengthened the partnership with the Carson City School District, Western Nevada College and its Applied Industrial Program faculty and students. Additional Result: The Carson City Library has demonstrated its role as an important resource for the community in workforce development that spans beyond basic workforce readiness skills into providing a path for entry level workforce certifications. The public library was the first in America to offer this kind of advanced manufacturing skill building opportunity in a library setting.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Review of Administrative Data
Interview/Focus Group
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: Yes
Exemplary NarrativeIn June of 2014 during a “big idea” meeting with leaders from the Carson City Library (CCL), the State of Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), the Carson City School District (CCSD), Western Nevada College (WNC) and representatives from area advanced manufacturing businesses, discussion considered ways to launch an advanced manufacturing apprentice program. The group talked at length about how to develop something that would efficiently and immediately train folks for beginning level (and more) advanced manufacturing jobs. Nevada’s Governor, Brian Sandoval, was looking to pilot a program and ideally replicate it statewide. What the group did not know at the time is Tesla/Panasonic would announce plans to build the world’s largest battery factory not thirty miles from where this conversation was taking place, and anticipated needing an army of skilled workers. By October the Carson City library had taken the lead and conceived, with WNC and CCSD, a LSTA grant idea that also included collaboration with the Manufacturing Skills Institute (MSI), the workforce development affiliate of the Virginia Manufacturers Association. The program, Nevada’s Working Capital, was awarded LSTA funding and began in July of 2015. The Carson City Public Library became the first library in the U.S. authorized as a MSI Assessment Center and MT1 certified training center. This partnership served as a national benchmark for innovative approaches to certifying workers for jobs in modern manufacturing. Three primary elements comprised the partnership’s program: 1) The public library as a central location that leverages its technology and special programs to expose patrons to design and experimentation, fostering focused but informal STEM learning and exposure to 3D printing. 2) The public library as an access point for patrons to gain additional practice with specialized engineering software (SolidWorks), particularly helpful to existing manufacturers who want more for employees that is not necessarily for college credit, but is practice-based and off the clock. 3) The public library as a learning forum for patrons to participate in formal training opportunities at the library, and also linked from the library to WNC and Carson High School, that directly lead to MT1 certification. Ultimately the Governor’s Office of Economic Development led the charge to embed the MT1 credential into a for credit pathway with the Nevada Department of Education’s career and technical education programs and the Nevada System of Higher Education’s two year degree programs in applied science. At present the MT1 has spread to a number of additional Nevada education institutions including two other public libraries. The images and collateral attached in this report offer an excellent "show and tell" of the story. Items include an image where project leaders defended the project idea for consideration and ranking by the NV State Council on Libraries and Literacy, pictures of the MT1 training classes happening AT the public library, a local news story regarding the program as first in the nation and a ninety second video that captures the program very well.

Project Tags: workforce, training, certificates