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G2S Project Code: 2017-IA-80185
State: Iowa
Fiscal Year: 2017
Grantee
State Library of Iowa

Project Director
Director Name: Gary Krob
Director Phone: 515-281-6618
Director Email: Gary.Krob@iowa.gov
General Information
Title: State Data Center
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2016
End Date: 09/30/2018
Abstract: The State Data Center is a unit of the State Library of Iowa with a mission to increase the availability of census data in Iowa and to help people use it. We provide access to and understanding of Iowa's population and economy through reports available to Iowans on the State Data Center's website. Services include, but are not limited to, having an official web site of U.S. Census Bureau demographic, social, economic, and housing statistics about Iowa; answers to quick data requests; providing custom data tabulations, thematic maps, statistical profiles of Iowa communities and special population groups; and training on how to find and use these statistics. Iowa librarians and Iowa citizens use information from the State Data Center to apply for grants, justify their budgets, and become informed about their communities and the state overall.

State Goal: Deliver access to collections
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$113,713.57
$0.00
$0.00
$113,713.57
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Research & Statistics
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Develop and publicize profiles and reports
Narrative: The State Data Center coordinator developed and updated profiles on the various populations in Iowa and posted them on the State Data Center website. The updated profiles include Iowans with Disabilities population profile, the Latinos in Iowa, African American Community, Status of Women in Iowa, Asian and Pacific Islanders, and the Older Iowans profiles. 
Data collection from nursing facilities and prisons started as part of the population estimates program. 
Existing reports on Immigration, Pension, Building Permits, Foster Care, and English Language Learners, and County Business Patterns data were updated on the website. 
The 2017 state population estimates were released and published on the SDC website. The 2012-2016 American Community Survey data was released and posted. Final 2017 population estimates were released with a specific focus  on city populations and demographic characteristics for all of Iowa as well as for each of the 99 Iowa counties. 


Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Digital


Quantity
Number of items digitized: 138
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 138
Number of physical items: 10
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 2
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 3
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 10
Number of plans/frameworks: 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: Yes
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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 544
Academic Libraries: 77
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 64
School Libraries: 0
Other: 49
Question 1: I am satisfied that the resource is meeting library needs.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: Applying the resource 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: Develop and present workshops and presentations
Narrative: The State Data Center Coordinator developed and presented 8 workshops and presentations on a variety of subjects having to do with statistical information and it's use,  for a variety of audiences. The coordinator also prepared news releases concerning Census data releases and articles on information relating to the statistics that are available on the website. Email updates were sent 2-3 times a month to report new data on the website.


Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Combined in-person & virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 60
Number of presentations/performances administered: 8
Average number in attendance per session: 41


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: Yes
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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 544
Academic Libraries: 77
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 64
School Libraries: 0
Other: 49
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Librarians and Iowa citizens use the information from the State Data Center website to find important information that is used for requests for funding and for planning, informing them of important community data. The SDC website received 456,643 page views during the year and the coordinator received 734 reference requests for statistical information. Presentations on Population Trends in Iowa were given to Simpson College, the Iowa Ideas Conference, and to the State Library Commission. A presentation on using State Data Center services was given to United Way of Central Iowa, and a Census Round-table was presented to the Iowa Technology and Geospatial Conference. A presentation, "Understanding and Accessing Census Data" was presented to the Public Library Management 2 class, a group of new librarians learning various aspects of their jobs. Statistical profiles were updated and posted to the website which allowed for more current statistical information that can be easily accessed.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The availability of the census information and the profiles detailing various populations that exist in Iowa improve the public's understanding of Iowa's culture and makeup. It also helps librarians across the state understand their communities more clearly, which helps when developing collections, developing programming at their libraries, or developing their strategic plans. The State Data Center website makes information easier to find and use, and also help librarians utilize data in preparing budgets and writing grants. All users of the website find information that helps them understand details about their community.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The importance of having current, correct information available for all Iowans is crucial, and in having access to that information be as intuitive as possible is extremely important.
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: data, statistics