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G2S Project Code: 2018-TX-81414
State: Texas
Fiscal Year: 2018
Grantee
BALCH SPRINGS LIBRARY-LEARNING CENTER

Project Director
Director Name: Sandra Gallion
Director Phone: 972-913-3000
Director Email: sgallion@cityofbalchsprings.com
General Information
Title: Space Exploration @ the Library
State Project Code: TXR-19002 - Space Exploration @ the Library
Start Date: 09/01/2018
End Date: 08/31/2019
Abstract: The Balch Springs Library-Learning Center included a NASA display in the library for two weeks during our Summer Reading Program that included an Apollo spacesuit, Apollo helmet, planet display, and space food samples exhibits to support the summer reading theme of space. Programs included space-themed crafts and space movies for participants. Since many of the children, and their parents, who attend the library's programs do not have the opportunity to go to the Houston Space Center, the project sought to bring the Space Center to them.
State Goal: Goal 3: Access to library services for early literacy, digital literacy, and lifelong learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$6,100.00
$0.00
$0.00
$6,100.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Reading Program (Summer Reading)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Space programming for summer reading
Narrative: The library planned several activities for their space-themed summer reading program. They received a NASA spacesuit on loan and displayed it as a great backdrop to the summer reading program. The spacesuit arrived on June 11th and with the help of the Balch Springs City Maintenance Department, was set up in front of the Earth/Moon wall poster with two large cardboard aliens on each side. The spacesuit has stairs in the back and patrons can look through the helmet for picture taking. At the end of the program the suit was then packed and shipped back to NASA Johnson Space Center on July 18th.

Space-themed programs were scheduled for the six weeks. Each Monday included a performer/program; Tuesday activities included a space-related craft; Wednesday was STEM kit day; Thursday included Teen Time; and Friday was movie day. Program activities ranged in length from 60-120 minutes.

Thesummer reading program was a 6 week program that started on June 10, 2019 andended on July 19, 2019. The total attending the entertainment on Mondays was508. The children's crafts were attended by 171 people. The stem time wasattended by 67 people. The summer story time was attended by 93 people. Theteen time was attended by 76 teenagers and the movies were attended by 115people. Total people that attended the different programs during the summerreading program was 1030. 

The library also purchased 71 books on space to add to the collection. The books circulated 193 times.


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: 30
Average number in attendance per session: 34


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
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: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: BALCH SPRINGS LIBRARY-LEARNING CENTER
Address: 12450 ELAM RD
City: BALCH SPRINGS
State: TX
Zip: 75180
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
From the subrecipient: We had a small increase in teen registration and an increased attendance for our teen events. The Teen Time! event attendance in 2018 was 45 for the six weeks of the Summer Reading Program. This year attendance was 82, which is an increase of 37 (45%). Some of the teens only come to the library very occasionally so we were able to expose them to the various programs offered for their age group at our library. We also had an increase in adults registering for the Summer Reading Program, from 83 in 2018 to 122 this year (32% increase). Attendance for the children's entertainment increased by 109 when compared with 2018 (increase of 21%). Some of the increases in our programs were not as dramatic, but overall we had increases in most of our categories, such as registration, performance attendance, Teen Time! attendance. etc. We are not really able to quantify changes in knowledge, skills, behavior, attitude, etc. by patrons who attended the space exhibit; however, it seems to the library staff that most people who attended the exhibit reacted positively to the information presented to them. Most of the staff have said that patrons told them how "cool" the spacesuit exhibit was and how much they enjoyed coming to the library to see it. The Children's Librarian asked several of the children if they liked the freeze-dried ice cream bar. Most of them said that it was different, but they liked it. Almost everyone who got a freeze-dried ice cream bar said that they had never seen anything like that. On one afternoon a young man in a wheelchair came in to the library with his caregiver. The man was not verbal and had erratic movements of his body, but his caregiver said that he had heard about the space exhibit at the library and wanted to come see it. So she brought him and helped him to wheel over to see the spacesuit. He seemed very excited to see the suit. As they were leaving, a staff member asked the caregiver if the young man could eat a freeze-dried ice cream bar. She said that he could so we gave them both a freeze-dried ice cream bar. We also had many grandparents bringing their grandchildren to see the exhibit; undoubtedly telling the children about seeing the moon landing live on television in 1969. Many adults said that it was amazing to be able to touch the spacesuit and realize an astronaut had worn it at some time. We were very lucky to receive the NASA spacesuit this year because we were told by NASA that every library in the country was calling for the exhibit. As stated previously, obtaining anything from NASA requires advanced planning which we did. We had people from all different areas around Dallas County and beyond coming to see the spacesuit. We are very appreciative for TSLAC making funds available to us for this project. Also, we had many participants at our summer events this year as compared to other years. Our numbers were actually down for the number of people coming to the library and signing up for the summer reading program, but the events were all very popular and we believe in part it is because we had the NASA spacesuit.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The increase in attendance by certain age groups may necessitate adding additional materials and programming in coming years.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
From subrecipient library: Because of the demand for space memorabilia, the best advice is to begin the scheduling process very early to guarantee being able to obtain any space exhibits from NASA. This year it was especially important to begin early because of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. Staff need to consider all aspects of having an exhibit from NASA at your facility. Many staff hours were invested in determining placement of the exhibits and rearrangement of the library furniture, etc.; scheduling assistance from the city maintenance department for heavy-duty moving equipment to move the spacesuit to and from the shipping van; phone calls confirming dates and times of scheduling the exhibit and shipping information; obtaining sufficient insurance coverage; obtaining security, both during times when the library was open and after hours; ordering promotional and decorating materials; decorating the library; determining the best way to promote the exhibit(s); packing and unpacking the exhibits, and arranging for shipping back to NASA.
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 summer reading program will continue each summer, but the theme and level of activity may change dependent upon that theme.
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: summer reading, space