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G2S Project Code: 2017-MN-79842
State: Minnesota
Fiscal Year: 2017
Grantee
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Project Director
Director Name: Matt Lee
Director Phone: 612-624-1024
Director Email: leems001@umn.edu
General Information
Title: Electronic Library of Minnesota (ELM) Instruction
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2017
End Date: 09/30/2018
Abstract:

As a complement to the Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM), Minitex provided a multi-faceted statewide reference outreach and instruction program that offered in-person and online instruction on the use of the databases. The instruction ensured that Minnesotans had access to ELM and learned how to use the resources efficiently and effectively to find the authoritative, verifiable information they needed to succeed in school, the workplace, and their personal lives.

ELM provides Minnesota residents with access to 52 online databases that provide access to millions of articles, books, images, test preparation and other information.


State Goal: Expand sharing of resources through statewide networks
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$80,000.00
$900,000.00
$245,736.30
$1,225,736.30
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Education
General (select only for electronic databases or other data sources)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Hands-on Workshops
Narrative:

Librarystaff and educators attended 83 in-person instruction sessions throughout theyear. Sessions varied from one-hour sessions provided by one instructor, today-long, multi-session conference events (ELM Expos) involving multiplepresenters. Sessions were offered at locations around the state and customizedto suit audience needs. As such the sessions were accessible and relevant.Evaluations indicated that this ELM instruction had a positive impact onattendees’ work.



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

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 83
Average number in attendance per session: 15
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: 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: 140
Academic Libraries: 108
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 17
Special Libraries: 127
School Libraries: 958
Other: 0
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: Online Instruction
Narrative:

Twenty webinars were offered for library staff and educators. Webinar sessions contextualized ELM for a number of different environments and uses. Sessions were available on a scheduled basis and on request. Sessions were recorded and posted to the Minitex website for on-demand viewing. Evaluations indicated that ELM instruction had a positive impact on attendees’ work.



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

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 45
Number of presentations/performances administered: 20
Average number in attendance per session: 10


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: 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: 140
Academic Libraries: 108
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 17
Special Libraries: 127
School Libraries: 958
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Education Outreach
Narrative:

Outreach and Instruction Librarians exhibited and presented at 12 library or education-related conferences. These activities promoted ELM and built awareness among target audiences of available training and support.



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

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


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 0
Number of presentations/performances administered: 12
Average number in attendance per session: 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: 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: 140
Academic Libraries: 108
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 17
Special Libraries: 127
School Libraries: 958
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
ELM instruction met participants’ needs and had a positive impact on participants’ work lives. According to evaluations completed by session participants: • 98% agree or strongly agree: “The content of this session met my needs on this topic” • 98% agree or strongly agree: “I learned something that will positively impact my work” • 99% agree or strongly agree: “The instructor presented the material in a clear and logical manner”
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
ELM instruction is essential to the successful provision of ELM. Evaluations indicated a high level of impact in connecting ELM to participant needs. Library staff and educators turned to Minitex, and the activities supported by this grant, for critical guidance and support in using and implementing ELM.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
It is not enough to provide access to a suite of online research tools statewide; instruction on their use, implementation, and applicability is equally 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: statewide databases, digital literacy, information access