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G2S Project Code: 2017-MN-79957
State: Minnesota
Fiscal Year: 2017

Grantee
CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM

Project Director
Director Name: Jodi Edstrom
Director Phone: 952-442-3054
Director Email: jedstrom@co.carver.mn.us

General Information
Title: Preschool STEM Storytime
State Project Code:
Start Date: 11/12/2017
End Date: 09/30/2018
Abstract:

The Carver County Library Youth Services Team developed curriculum to offer “Preschool STEM Storytimes” targeting children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. The curricula includes four rotating kits, one for each Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) theme. The storytimes launched during the 2018 Summer Reading Program and gave children and caregivers the opportunity to experience literature pertaining to STEM, as well as corresponding playful and engaging early STEM activities and experiences. Offering this program in all of our branches gave us the opportunity to reach a broader audience, giving an opportunity to families living in lower income and/ or rural areas with less technology access.

State Goal: Increase access to library resources

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$2,284.04

$0.00

$2,284.04

Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Early Literacy
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Preschool STEM Storytimes Staff Training
Narrative:

The Youth Services team presented training to all library staff on the purpose and content of the Preschool STEM Storytimes at an all-staff meeting. In addition to a formal presentation, several sample stations were set up for staff to explore during the meeting. At least one activity from each STEM storytime kit was featured, alongside books and curriculum guide displays. Evaluations were conducted for staff that interacted with the stations.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

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

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 75
Number of presentations/performances administered: 2
Average number in attendance per session: 65

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: No
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

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

Activity Details
Title: Preschool STEM Storytimes
Narrative: Thirty-two storytimes were facilitated by five branch youth service librarians and one associate librarian. Each 30-minute storytime included 2-3 age-appropriate books on the selected theme, along with rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and other accompanying activities. Each program included at least one song, puzzle, game or other form of participatory or interactive activity. Storytimes were designed so that the preschool attendees could achieve one or more of the five outcomes aligned with both Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress and Every Child Ready to Read 2 Practices. Following the traditional storytime, 3-5 stations were set up to facilitate STEM activities specifically related to the storytime theme.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

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

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 60
Number of presentations/performances administered: 32
Average number in attendance per session: 36

Partner Information

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: Suburban
Rural
For what age groups: 0-5 years
For what economic types: Below Poverty
For what ethnicity types: Indian
Asian
Black
Hispanic
Pacific
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: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Alphabet Junction Childcare Center
Address: 7840 Victoria Drive
City: Victoria
State: MN
Zip: 55386
Name: Auburn Meadows
Address: 591 Cherry Drive
City: Waconia
State: MN
Zip: 55387
Name: Lil Explorers Childcare Center
Address: 583 Cherry Drive
City: Waconia
State: MN
Zip: 55387

Activity Details
Title: Preschool Storytime Kit Creation
Narrative:

We created four different rotating kits (one for each STEM theme) that included a storytime curriculum along with 3-5 related activity stations. In order to tie together the Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress and Every Child Ready to Read 2 Practices, we used our traditional storytime curriculum guides, and included guides for facilitators to create understanding of how early literacy practices relate to the Early Childhood Indicators of Progress. We modeled our templates on the Spokane County Library District guides

Storytime curriculum sheets were available to patrons at each program. Each of the rotating stations had signage with instructions and questions for the activities. Facilitating librarians followed curriculum guides for ideas and suggestions on implementing the concepts.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Combined physical & digital

Quantity
Number of items digitized: 4
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 4
Number of physical items: 78
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 1
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 4
Number of plans/frameworks: 0

Partner Information

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
Suburban
Rural
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: 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: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Alphabet Junction Childcare Center
Address: 7840 Victoria Drive
City: Victoria
State: MN
Zip: 55386
Name: Auburn Meadows
Address: 291 Cherry Drive
City: Waconia
State: MN
Zip: 55387
Name: Lil Explorers Childcare Center
Address: 583 Cherry Drive
City: Waconia
State: MN
Zip: 55387

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The library was showcased as a provider of enriched early literacy children’s programs and a resource for caregivers to learn to build early literacy skills through play and daily home life. We facilitated 32 storytimes, which included outreach visits at three local preschool centers. The intended impact was exposure to STEM concepts for children and families that might not otherwise have the opportunity or might have limited resources available. We aligned intended outcomes with both Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress and Every Child Ready to Read 2 Practices. Each storytime program included at least one song, puzzle, game or other form of participatory or interactive activity in which a majority of the preschool children in attendance demonstrated one or more of five outcomes.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Because of the high attendance at these programs, excellent patron feedback, and ease in outreach use, we are actively looking at ways to continue these programs, whether through storytimes, stand-alone programs, or other age-appropriate activities. The project was effective at connecting the Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress and Every Child Ready to Read 2 Practice, giving us a successful launching point for continuing to connect these two areas.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
While we advertised and geared these programs to the preschool-aged group, we also prepared for toddler-aged children to attend. Some of the manipulatives, books, and activities were adaptable for younger children. The kits are versatile, making it easy and convenient to use them for outreach at local daycares/preschools. Plan for replacement and/or retooling for manipulatives and other kit contents. During high use periods, items may need repair or complete replacement. This is especially important when considering continuing use in future programs.
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:
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: STEM, early literacy