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G2S Project Code: 2016-CT-76921
State: Connecticut
Fiscal Year: 2016
Grantee
Connecticut State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Dawn La Valle
Director Phone: 860-757-6665
Director Email: dawn.lavalle@ct.gov
General Information
Title: EXCITE Transformation for Libraries
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2016
End Date: 09/30/2017
Abstract: DLD and Innovation Builders led an extensive four-month program of training in 21st century skills, tools, and behaviors for teams from seven public libraries. Between October 2016 and February 2017, the teams learned and practiced collaborative processes to uncover community insights and create innovative, community-engaging programs and services. Each team that completed the training received an LSTA Quick Grant of $2000 or less to implement their new programs over spring and summer 2017. Training was led by Jeanine Esposito from Innovation Builders, an organization with experience guiding companies to innovate new products and services and transform ways of doing business.

State Goal: Literacies and learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$34,433.00
$0.00
$0.00
$34,433.00
Intent(s)
Improve the library workforce.
Continuing Education and Staff Development
Outreach & Partnerships
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Training sessions
Narrative: In October 2016, the teams attended a 3-day bootcamp where they learned the language, tools, and process for the project. This was followed by a gap where the teams started research within their communities to uncover insights, needs, and drivers.

In November 2016, the teams returned for a 2-day session where they immersed themselves in sharing insights from research, fueling and transforming ideas to address community needs and turn these ideas into real initiatives for programs or services. Teams returned to their communities and sought to gain stakeholder support, setup partnerships, and develop the final implementation of their projects. (One team dropped out of the program after this session.)

In January 2017, the teams came back together to present their funding pitches to a panel of judges representing libraries and businesses. The judges awarded grants of seed money so the teams could begin their projects. These projects are reported separately.

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 1,120
Number of sessions in program: 3
Average number in attendance per session: 23
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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: CHESHIRE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 104 MAIN ST.
City: CHESHIRE
State: CT
Zip: 06410
Name: CYRENIUS H. BOOTH LIBRARY
Address: 25 MAIN ST.
City: NEWTOWN
State: CT
Zip: 06470
Name: DANBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 170 MAIN STREET
City: DANBURY
State: CT
Zip: 06810
Name: FERGUSON LIBRARY
Address: ONE PUBLIC LIBRARY PLAZA
City: STAMFORD
State: CT
Zip: 06904
Name: JAMES BLACKSTONE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Address: 758 MAIN ST.
City: BRANFORD
State: CT
Zip: 06405
Name: MILFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 57 NEW HAVEN AVE.
City: MILFORD
State: CT
Zip: 06460
Name: WALLINGFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 200 NORTH MAIN ST.
City: WALLINGFORD
State: CT
Zip: 06492
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 22
Agree: 2
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 5
Agree: 15
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 3
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 15
Agree: 9
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 16
Agree: 8
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:

Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:

Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:

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:
Yes
Explain:
The State Library received a grant from IMLS in the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarians category to continue the project with new teams from a broader geographic region.
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:
Yes
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
Yes
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Project Staff
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Review Surveys
Interviews
Did you collect any media for the data:
Photos
Videos
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Statistical Methods
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
Census – We selected everyone (or every item).
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Pre-post comparison for a reported output or outcome: We surveyed participants after both sessions 1 and 2 using the same questions. Outcomes after the second session improved, with a greater percentage of participants reporting that they strongly agreed with the four outcome statements.
Exemplary: Yes
Exemplary NarrativeThe reported outcomes from this project were so compelling that the State Library sought additional Federal funding to expand the program to more libraries.
Project Tags: EXCITE, community, CE