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G2S Project Code: 2016-CT-78097
State: Connecticut
Fiscal Year: 2016
Grantee
CYRENIUS H. BOOTH LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Alana Bennison
Director Phone: 203-426-4533
Director Email: chbooth@chboothlibrary.org
General Information
Title: MAKEConnections
State Project Code:
Start Date: 02/01/2017
End Date: 09/30/2017
Abstract: The C.H. Booth Library received feedback and survey data indicating that people in Newtown sought meaningful volunteerism and wanted to participate in concrete projects focused on helping others. The initial project of the MAKEConnections program was the assembly of 3D printed prosthetic hands for distribution by Project e-NABLE, a group that supplies 3D printed assistive devices to people in developing nations.

A second phase of the program started in July 2017 with volunteers making quick-release paracord bracelets to donate to Operation Gratitude to be shared with troops serving overseas. The library supplied the materials, and volunteers taught each other how to assemble the bracelets and also wrote letters to bracelet recipients.

This program was developed through the CT State Library’s pilot project, EXCITE Transformation for Libraries.


State Goal: Literacies and learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$1,923.00
$0.00
$4,505.00
$6,428.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Community Concerns
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Making Activities
Narrative:

Through an open house, informational presentations, and drop-ins, thelibrary recruited volunteers to help create functioning prosthetic hands foradults and children using 3D printed parts. Volunteers learned how to print andclean the parts and then assemble each hand, which is a multi-day process.Stretchy strings on the hand allow it to close when the wrist is bent. Thehands were donated to Project e-NABLE, which had provided the printer files andassembly instructions. Once the volunteers learned the process, they were ableto work independently on their own time, cumulatively donating 75 hours of volunteer work. 

The next making activity, paracord bracelets, was verysuccessful as a drop-in activity.


Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 45
Number of sessions in program: 13
Average number in attendance per session: 16
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: CYRENIUS H. BOOTH LIBRARY
Address: 25 MAIN ST.
City: NEWTOWN
State: CT
Zip: 06470
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 1
Agree: 4
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: 1
Agree: 4
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 4
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 1
Agree: 4
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 1
Agree: 4
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:
As shown in the library's focus group, teens want to be involved in meaningful volunteerism.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Library staff quickly found that more oversight and staff involvement was needed than was originally anticipated. The teen volunteers were enthusiastic but not as detail oriented as was needed.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Less technically involved projects are very satisfying for participants.
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:
As the library considers how its Maker equipment could be used in more meaningful ways – such as to solve problems, convert memory storage to newer formats, and collaborate with others – library staff must devote a considerable amount of time talking to people and gathering input to discover "what would have to be true" in order for them to participate.
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: EXCITE, community, Making