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G2S Project Code: 2016-PA-77203
State: Pennsylvania
Fiscal Year: 2016
Grantee
CHESTER COUNTY LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Marguerite Dube
Director Phone: 610-280-2645
Director Email: mdube@ccls.org
General Information
Title: Digital Media/Makerspace
State Project Code: FC4100073521
Start Date: 07/01/2016
End Date: 06/30/2017
Abstract:

The Chester County Library’s digital media lab/makerspace provided hands-on experience with a variety of tools and software that can be used to learn new skills for work, school or pleasure. Group and one-on-one training sessions were offered to assist patrons from teens through adult explore and experiment with science, technology, art and engineering, inspiring them to become makers and connect to people and projects in the community. Community awareness of the program was promoted through two tours for community leaders and others of the digital lab and makerspace which expanded an understanding of the library and its program.


State Goal: Create opportunities for libraries to enhance their capacity to provide 21st Century resources, services and programs to their communities.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$36,121.00
$0.00
$8,209.65
$44,330.65
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)Improve users' formal education.
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Digital Media/Makerspace - Content Activity - Acquisition*
Narrative: Purchased state of the art equipment and software has fostered experimentation, invention, creation and exploration in teens and adults.  This wide array of products introduced and encouraged patrons to experiment with a variety of tools and experience the ability to create and develop new skills for work, school or pleasure. Hardware includes a 3D printer and filament, a 3D scanner and supplies, several software programs, a photo scanning system with auto-feed, 2 high end PCs and peripherals, photography equipment, and a photo printer.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 225
Number of software acquired: 53
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 0
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: CHESTER COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 450 EXTON SQUARE PARKWAY
City: EXTON
State: PA
Zip: 19341
Activity Details
Title: Digital Media/Makerspace - Content Activity - Creation*
Narrative:

An instruction sheet and diagram were created to guide patrons with the backup of their VHS tapes before converting them to DVDs.  Flyers were developed to announce classes on Digitizing Photos. A two-sided bookmark was created to announce the grant and list the equipment available to the public, and how to register for its use.  A flyer was created to place at the service desks to let patrons know they can reserve our studio equipment. The website was updated to describe the grant and update the list of available equipment. The digital media lab/makerspace was the subject of our lobby display wall for two weeks in June.  Staff created some small signs, using the 3D printer, to be placed at the service desks to promote the equipment and Digital Media Lab/Makerspace.

 


Intent: Improve users' formal education.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of items digitized: 0
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 0
Number of physical items: 15
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 0
Number of plans/frameworks: 3


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: CHESTER COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 450 EXTON SQUARE PARKWAY
City: EXTON
State: PA
Zip: 19341
Activity Details
Title: Digital Media/Makerspace - Instruction Activity - Programs*
Narrative:

Makey Makey, Circuit Scribe, Arduino, and digitizing photos classes were offered. Makey Makey classes encouraged kids to explore basic electronics, create circuits and switches, light-up LEDs, and invent something out of the everyday objects. Circuit Scribe classes instructed attendees to learn to use the Circuit Scribe conductive ink pen to draw their own circuits.  Arduino is an open source microcontroller platform designed to make it easy for hobbyists to use electronics in homemade projects. In this workshop, attendees were given an overview of the Arduino system and were helped to create and build a project. Staff also provided one-on-one sessions for patrons using the lab.




Intent: Improve users' formal education.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 2
Average number in attendance per session: 11
Number of times program administered: 24


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: CHESTER COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 450 EXTON SQUARE PARKWAY
City: EXTON
State: PA
Zip: 19341
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
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: 0
Agree: 0
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: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
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: 0
Agree: 0
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:
From March through June 2016, we held 24 group technology classes, with a total attendance of 232, and 40 one-on-one training sessions. Of those completing the point-of-service survey: - 94% said they learned a new skill; - 78% said training in the use of the equipment and software encouraged them to start a new hobby; - 11% said training in the use of the equipment and software will help them develop their business; - 10% said training in the use of the equipment and software will help them in their current job, or help them to find a new one.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
It is clear that nearly everyone who became exposed to the digital media lab/makerspace equipment learned something new, and many of them were interested enough in the technology to continue working with it as a hobby. Because much of the software and equipment was purchased at the end of the grant, such as the high-end computers and Adobe Creative software, we were unable to hold many classes that would teach patrons to apply learned skills for business and job seeking purposes. However, we plan to place more emphasis on developing these skills now that the technology has been installed.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
We held several major public relations events to announce the opening of the digital media center/makerspace, but have found that continuous promotion is required to make the public aware of the resources we offer, particularly to job seekers and the business community. Although we did meet our Anticipated Project Outputs of 12 group technology classes with 144 attendees, and 40 one-on-one sessions, we only met one of our Anticipated Project Outcomes. That is due primarily to the fact that we did not receive notification of the grant award until several months into the grant year, and therefore, got a late start on the project. However, we plan to continue with this project indefinitely and are confident that we will reach the target outcomes in the near future.
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:
We will be increasing our level of effort with matching funds. We have also re-allocated a full time staff vacancy from another department to work in the digital media lab/makerspace.
Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
Yes
Explain:
As patrons become more familiar with the equipment and software, we will tailor classes to meet their growing needs.
Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
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: digital media lab, makerspace, STEAM