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G2S Project Code: 2017-MO-78951
State: Missouri
Fiscal Year: 2017
Grantee
CAPE GIRARDEAU PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Sharon Anderson
Director Phone: 573-334-5279 ext 110
Director Email: sanderson@capelibrary.org
General Information
Title: RTR: Destination Library - Racing to Read
State Project Code: 2017-LFL7-RTR17CN7-8631
Start Date: 06/01/2017
End Date: 05/31/2018
Abstract: Racing to Read grants provide funds to establish, improve or expand public library early literacy services for children from birth to six years of age based on the knowledge and skills taught in the Early Literacy Fundamentals regional and webinar trainings.

The Cape Girardeau Public Library focused on increasing awareness of the library’s early childhood programs, promoting early learning, teaching parents and caregivers about the importance of play with purpose, and building a community that values early literacy. The library updated its early literacy, parenting, and board book collections, adding books and parent resources that support the five, targeted skills areas of Talk and Read, Tell Stories, Sing and Rhyme, Play with Letters, and Love Books. They strengthened existing early childhood partnerships and cultivated new partnerships to help identify and reach at-risk families, by providing early literacy workshops, education, and support. Storytimes and family workshops were held, helping to educate parents and other caregivers on the importance of reading with children and its value in building a foundation for reading success. Additionally, the Library provided workshops in the library and at partner locations, targeting early literacy stakeholders.

The project was promoted through partnerships, on digital signs in the library, on the library's website, community billboards, and via social media blasts.
State Goal: Targeting Library and Information Services
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$20,000.00
$0.00
$1,323.74
$21,323.74
Intent(s)
Improve users' formal education.
Early Literacy
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Content Acquisition
Narrative: The library added 100 print books to the circulating collection: 49 picture books, 11 nonfiction books, and 40 board books. These items circulated 984 times during the grant period.

Monthly reading challenges were held with 1,012 participants. Some of these participants used the books purchased through this grant.
Intent: Improve users' formal education.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 100
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: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: 0-5 years
6-12 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
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: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: CAPE GIRARDEAU PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 711 N CLARK ST
City: CAPE GIRARDEAU
State: MO
Zip: 63701
Activity Details
Title: Instructional Programs: Storytimes
Narrative: Storytimes: The library offered 277 storytime sessions during the grant period. 8,107 attended these 30-minute programs. Weekly storytimes in the library targeted the entire age range of the targeted audience: babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. These programs helped to educate parents and caregivers on the importance of reading with children and its value in building a foundation for reading success. In addition, the library offered weekly daycare storytimes to toddler classes and preschool classes at the library. Children, parents, and caregivers participating in storytime programs were exposed to new ideas about ways to interact around books and early literacy activities that they could recreate at home.

Storytime Stay & Play groups: The library added early-literacy focused stay and play sessions after storytime. Families stayed to play with their children in the early literacy area, reinforcing the idea of the library as a destination and family fun place. Children built social skills by interacting with other children and narrative skills by playing in the puppet theater and play kitchen. Play sessions focused on the five Racing to Read skill sets. Library staff interacted with families to promote and support play as learning. 2,037 attended 61 after storytime playgroups that lasted 60 minutes at the library.

Outreach Storytimes: The library offered Racing to Read to Go storytimes to daycares in the library district. Staff presented 37 storytimes at St. Mary's, Centenary, and Head Start. 1,093 attended these 30-minute storytimes. Outreach storytimes in the community gave children positive interactions around books and helped to increase community awareness of library services and programs. In addition, the Racing to Read to Go programs reinforced the idea of library staff as early childhood professionals. Teachers increased their interactions with library staff, using library materials to help plan classroom lessons and making collection development suggestions to support curricula and early learning.

Intent: Improve users' formal education.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 30
Number of sessions in program: 375
Average number in attendance per session: 30
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: 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: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: 0-5 years
For what economic types: Below Poverty
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
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: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: CAPE GIRARDEAU PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 711 N CLARK ST
City: CAPE GIRARDEAU
State: MO
Zip: 63701
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
Activity Details
Title: Instructional Programs: Parent and Child Workshops
Narrative: There were 27 workshop sessions for parents and their children held with 1,249 in attendance. Topics included: Nutrition and Literacy, Parenting, Music, Puppet-Making, Preschool Art, Discovery Labs: Hands-On Science, Playful Learning, and Music and Movement. At these sessions library staff or appropriate presenters shared how to help children build a foundation for reading readiness and/or early learning through the topic of the day. Families took home an applicable book to build home libraries and early literacy skill cards.
Intent: Improve users' formal education.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 30
Number of sessions in program: 27
Average number in attendance per session: 46
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: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: 0-5 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
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: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: CAPE GIRARDEAU PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 711 N CLARK ST
City: CAPE GIRARDEAU
State: MO
Zip: 63701
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
Activity Details
Title: Instructional Presentations - Partners
Narrative: The library provided 12 instructional presentations for partner staff. Eleven of the sessions were 30 minutes in length and included a refresher on the importance of early literacy and ideas about sharing the five Racing to Read skill sets with caregivers. At these sessions, skill cards and books to distribute to applicable clients were distributed. Partners included in these presentations were: Parents As Teachers/Educare, Head Start, Women Infants and Children, Birthright of Cape Girardeau, Cape Immigrant and Refugee Association, Cape Girardeau Public Schools-PreK Program, and Jimmy's Friends who volunteer at the St. Francis Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

One workshop was 3 hours in length and was approved for continuing education hours through the Missouri Open Initiative. This session had 23 in attendance who work with an average of 20 students, meaning 460 families were potentially impacted by this workshop alone.
Intent: Improve users' formal education.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: In-person


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 60
Number of presentations/performances administered: 12
Average number in attendance per session: 16


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: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: 18-25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 years
For what economic types: Below Poverty
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
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: No
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: Early Literacy Stakeholders


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: CAPE GIRARDEAU PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 711 N CLARK ST
City: CAPE GIRARDEAU
State: MO
Zip: 63701
Activity Details
Title: Instruction - Outreach
Narrative: Library staff participated in 5 community events attended by 2,142 individuals, where they were able to share the importance of early literacy and skill-building techniques with those present. Participants took home skill cards, information on the library's early literacy programs and services, and a book to build home libraries to practice the demonstrated skills. 
Intent: Improve users' formal education.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Other
Format: In-person
Other: One-on-one early literacy instructional opportunities at community events


Quantity


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: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: All Ages
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
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: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: CAPE GIRARDEAU PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 711 N CLARK ST
City: CAPE GIRARDEAU
State: MO
Zip: 63701
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
43 partners and teachers were surveyed at partnership sites. 100% reported learning new skills that will help children develop early literacy skills; 100% reported an increased confidence in their ability to help children develop early literacy skills; and 65% reported confidence in helping families understand the connection between the activities introduced and the development of early literacy skills. Anecdotally, participant behavior has changed: Head Start teachers are using books more often in their classrooms; Educare state families report an increase in the amount of time they spend reading with their children; and Birthright parents have started coming to library storytimes and early childhood programs. The grant has helped library staff make mindful choices about the books that are shared in storytimes, other programs, and with the families they interact with each day.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
This project has helped the library achieve its goal of becoming a destination place in the community. This project helped the library develop partnerships with early childhood educators and with family service providers in the community. Each of these groups now think of the library when they are looking for partners in the programs and services they offer to families.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Partnerships are essential to reach the target audience. The connections made with partners helped promote library programs and services to underserved and unserved populations. Training and communication are essential for the partnership to work well.
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: Yes
Exemplary NarrativeThis project had excellent planning and management and an impact on the community that goes above and beyond what is normally expected. In particular, the library's attention to gathering outcome-based evaluation data was outstanding.
Project Tags: Early Literacy