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G2S Project Code: 2017-TX-79419
State: Texas
Fiscal Year: 2017
Grantee
HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Fred Schumacher
Director Phone: 832-393-2222
Director Email: Fred.Schumacher@houstontx.gov
General Information
Title: Houston Public Library -- Learning Link
State Project Code: 479-18007
Start Date: 09/01/2017
End Date: 08/31/2018
Abstract: Learning Link is a cooperative project between Houston Public Library (HPL) and Houston Independent School District (HISD) designed to reach out to the city's public school students, streamlining library access specifically for them and providing e-content chosen to promote reading and learning. HPL and HISD have already worked to establish specific landing pages for each school level (elementary, middle, and high school) and have embedded a link to these landing pages on the district's student portal, connecting students to approved resources that the students can use any time they are logged in to the student portal. Project activities completed the roll-out of the Learning Link project, with (1) training for school teachers and librarians to ensure usage of the resources, (2) the supplementing of e-content with materials particularly suited to the needs of students with Limited English Proficiency, and (3) extension of the partnership to include additional school districts.
State Goal: Goal 3: Access to library services for early learning, success in school, and lifelong learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$74,999.52
$0.00
$0.00
$74,999.52
Intent(s)
Improve users' formal education.
Curriculum support
Outreach & Partnerships
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Educator training
Narrative: Houston Public Library provided at least 6 formal training sessions at library and teaching staff training events for Houston Independent School District (HISD). One hundred fifty-three (153) HISD staff members attended training.
Intent: Improve users' formal education.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 0
Number of sessions in program: 6
Average number in attendance per session: 26
Number of times program administered: 1


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
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: HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 500 MCKINNEY ST
City: HOUSTON
State: TX
Zip: 77002
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: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Learning Link
Narrative: Houston ISD students (elementary, middle and high school) gained access to an Axix360 e-book repository with limited access, as well as a collection of "Understanding Coding..." e-books with unlimited access. The e-content was added to the collection in the last 6 months of the grant period.
Total e-books circulated a total of 177 times during the grant period: 140 Axis360 collection, 37 Understanding Coding" collection.
Intent: Improve users' formal education.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Digital


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 177
Average number of items circulated / month: 30
Total number of ILL transactions: 0
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
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: Urban
For what age groups: 0-5 years
6-12 years
13-17 years
18-25 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: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 500 MCKINNEY ST
City: HOUSTON
State: TX
Zip: 77002
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:
From the subrecipient: Staff changes in both institutions presented periodic challenges to moving forward with expansion of the program. When the new Library Services Manager joined HISD, we quickly developed an open and cooperative working relationship. and significant progress in expansion and promotion of the program was possible. For future expansions of this type, we will ensure that additional appropriate staff from all institutions involved are included to act as back-ups for key participants, so changes in personnel do not result in the need to re-visit decisions previously made.
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:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

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: e-content, schools