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G2S Project Code: 2017-CT-79109
State: Connecticut
Fiscal Year: 2017

Grantee
Connecticut State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Dawn La Valle
Director Phone: 860-757-6507
Director Email: dawn.lavalle@ct.gov

General Information
Title: Resource Sharing Online
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2016
End Date: 09/30/2018
Abstract:

The CT State Library provides multiple statewide services to support resource sharing among libraries. These services are delivered online and provide all Connecticut residents and students with free online access to essential library and information resources. Many of the electronic resources and databases are accessible via a portal called researchIT CT. Additional eBooks and eAudiobooks are available through the RBDigital and eGO platforms,where they can be accessed directly by anyone with a Connecticut public library card. This project also includes the statewide library catalog, the ILL system,and related training opportunities on these resources for librarians.

State Goal: Resources and delivery systems

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$120,971.00

$1,726,436.00

$0.00

$1,847,407.00

Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
General (select only for electronic databases or other data sources)
Library Skills

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Statewide catalog (findIT CT)
Narrative:

The statewide library catalog and its interlibrary loan (ILL)feature allow patrons and librarians to discover and request items fromlibraries across Connecticut with a single search. Interlibrary delivery isaccomplished through deliverIT CT, another LSTA-funded project.

CT is the first state to use FulfILLment, an open-source system,for a statewide catalog and ILL.

The first version of the new findIT CT statewide catalogwent live in May 2016. As of as of June 2018, therewere 314 public, academic, school, and special libraries participating. Holdingsare updated annually. To alleviatestorage problems, a new, larger server was installed during July 2017. The findIT CT catalog had 277,196 visitsyielding 1,105,145 pages or page views; 868,164 files; and 1,517,671 hits inFY2018.

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

Activity: Content
Mode: Description
Format: Digital

Quantity
Number of items made discoverable to the public: 20,095,478
Number of collections made discoverable to the public: 0
Number of metadata plans/frameworks produced/updated: 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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 204
Academic Libraries: 37
SLAA: 3
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 20
School Libraries: 50
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Statewide interlibrary loan (requestIT CT)
Narrative:

The statewide library catalog and its interlibrary loan feature(requestIT CT) allow patrons and librarians to discover and request items fromlibraries across Connecticut with a single search. Interlibrary delivery isaccomplished through deliverIT CT, another LSTA-funded project.

The new ILL system debuted with 24 pilotlibraries in April 2017, went statewide in September 2017, and had 144libraries participating in June 2018. Librarians can easily place requests onbehalf of patrons, update requests, and track the status of requests as theymake their way through the ILL process. System improvements in spring 2018facilitated multiple copy requests for book discussion groups.

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

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Physical

Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 0
Average number of items circulated / month: 0
Total number of ILL transactions: 8,071
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 673

Partner Information

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: 124
Academic Libraries: 8
SLAA: 2
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 2
School Libraries: 8
Other: 0

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: ILL training for library staff
Narrative:

Division of Library Development staff conducted training forstaff from 134 public, academic, school and special libraries on using the newrequestIT CT system for interlibrary loans. Library staff members were trained on the basic ILL system, which allowslibrary staff members to place requests on behalf of patrons. Sessions wereoffered at nine different locations around the state.

DLD staff announcedthe first round of training sessions at noon on August 31, 2017, and within 24hours, 91 people from 75 libraries had signed up to attend training sessions inSeptember and October. Due to the unexpectedly high demand, DLD staff set upmore training sessions in the late fall and spring.

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

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 180
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 11
Number of times program administered: 21

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 116
Academic Libraries: 7
SLAA: 2
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 2
School Libraries: 7
Other: 0

Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 195
Agree: 27
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 130
Agree: 77
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 14
Disagree: 2
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 184
Agree: 35
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 4
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 176
Agree: 36
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 10
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 1

Activity Details
Title: Statewide databases (researchIT CT)
Narrative:

The State Library provides access to 34 databases for allConnecticut residents, students, and faculty. The databases are available fromall libraries in the state as well as from home. They include resources geared toK-12 students, college and university students, and the general public. researchITCT also furnishes a growing collection of downloadable eAudiobooks and eBooksfor K-12 students and the general public, which are reported in anotherproject.

In preparation for developing an RFP and negotiating newdatabase contracts in 2019, CSL conducted an online survey and series of focusgroups for the library community around the state to help determine whatresources are most useful for their patrons.

Due to budget cuts at CSL, academic libraries are sharingthe cost of resources that are provided exclusively to their users.

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

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Digital

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 34
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

Public Libraries: 239
Academic Libraries: 41
SLAA: 3
Consortia: 3
Special Libraries: 88
School Libraries: 529
Other: 18

Activity Details
Title: Statewide databases training for library staff
Narrative:

DLD offered training opportunities in using the statewidedatabases for librarians. Full time professional trainers with EBSCO Information Services conducted 17 trainingwebinars to demonstrate the advantages of researchIT CT over free web searchengines and the ways in which current online resources support Common CoreState Standards. Webinar topics included "Databases and Interfaces forSchool Libraries," "EBSCO Explora," "researchIT CTOneSearch for Academic Libraries," and "Advanced Searching in OneSearchand EBSCOhost."

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

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 5
Average number in attendance per session: 5
Number of times program administered: 3

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 16
Academic Libraries: 7
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 1
School Libraries: 13
Other: 0

Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 27
Agree: 20
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 15
Agree: 27
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 5
Disagree: 2
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 24
Agree: 16
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 7
Disagree: 2
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 19
Agree: 26
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 2
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 1

Activity Details
Title: Statewide eBook platform (eGO)
Narrative:

The custom statewide eBook platform is still underdevelopment but made large advances this year. CSL formed a new partnershipwith the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) to participate in a means ofstatewide eBook acquisitions, called the Content Exchange. The State Library alsopartnered with LYRASIS for development of the middleware, called circulationmanagers, that is required for the eGO platform to eventually connectlibraries' eBook vendors' content with the libraries' users. In addition tomiddleware development, LYRASIS worked with development staff at the New YorkPublic Library (NYPL) to adapt its SimplyE eBook app for eGO's use. By June2018 there were 16 public libraries installed in each of 3 circulationmanagers.

eGO makes itpossible for Connecticut public library users to access eBook titles from theirindividual public libraries, from a parent regional library system, and fromthe DPLA Open Bookshelf, all in one intuitive, easy-to-use mobile app.

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

Activity: Content
Mode: Other
Format: Digital
Other: Other - Platform Development

Quantity

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 239
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Digital materials circulation
Narrative:

CSL maintains a statewide collection of downloadable booksand audiobooks in RBDigital. The collection includes Nutmeg, Newbery, andCaldecott award winning titles, Great Courses audios, and eAudiobook and eBooktitles purchased or licensed in response to patron recommendations.

Because the digital collections are available through a self-service model,State Library staff have no role in the circulation process. They areresponsible only for collection development and licensing. Usage statisticsshow that the statewide collection of downloadable books and audiobooksincludes 3,912 titles which were checked out 10,842 times, a 17.66% increaseover last year. researchIT CT staff conducted 2 training sessions on RBDigital for59 librarians at public libraries and school media centers.

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

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Digital

Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 2,590
Average number of items circulated / month: 216
Total number of ILL transactions: 0
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 0

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
As a result of these resource sharing activities, all Connecticut residents and students had free access to high-quality electronic resources for school or personal research and entertainment.
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 will begin to charge libraries that participate in requestIT $325 in fiscal year 2019. This is the same fee that we had been charging libraries for the previous ILL system. The participation fees will be used to enhance the system and to build connectors which will allow requestIT to interoperate with a library's Integrated Library System (ILS), streamlining the ILL process and saving participating libraries valuable staff time. We anticipate work on connectors will begin in fall 2018. The State Library submitted a list of enhancements to FulfILLment developers, and most of the enhancements are scheduled to be integrated into the system over the next few months. As more libraries are added to the eGO platform, more support will be needed to ensure that users' needs are met. Rising user interest in downloadable audio books will affect eGO as we seek to add audio playback functionality to the SimplyE app and integrate our statewide RBDigital eAudiobooks into eGO.
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: reQuest, ILL, iCONN