View Project

G2S Project Code: 2018-TX-81422
State: Texas
Fiscal Year: 2018
Grantee
IRVING PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Stephanie Gimble
Director Phone: 972-721-3723
Director Email: sgimble@cityofirving.org
General Information
Title: Hispanic Heritage Celebration with Author Carmen Agra Deedy
State Project Code: TXR-19010 - Hispanic Heritage Celebration with Author Carmen
Start Date: 09/01/2018
End Date: 08/31/2019
Abstract: Irving Public Library's East Branch presented an author event featuring award winning, Cuban-American author Carmen Agra Deedy during Hispanic Heritage month. The event was bilingual and the author event was followed by a brief talk about the other early literacy programs and adult education classes the library makes available to its patrons.
State Goal: Goal 2: Access to resources and services to meet community and personal goals.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$4,382.82
$0.00
$0.00
$4,382.82
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Reading Program (Not Summer Reading)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Hispanic Heritage Month author presentation
Narrative: The library celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month on September 22, 2018, with a storytelling presentation by bilingual children's author Carmen Agra Deedy.  Seventy-five (75) people attended the program

The library also had representatives from Catholic Charities and the Irving Independent School District present about free programs they offer in the Library and the community, including Citizenship Classes, GED Classes, and English as a Second Language Classes.  A Library representative promoted our language learning databases, and library programs, including Bilingual Storytime.

Here are some comments from program participants:
Fue una experiencia bonita. La autora del libro Martina la cucaracho Carmen Agra es muy expontanea y alegre entretiene a adultos y niños. Son personas que hacen conocer su cultura con historias muy bonitas. La musica me encanto con mucho ritmo. Me hubiera gustado probar el sason Cubano. Todo esubo muy bonito. Me dio mucho gusto conocer a Carmen Agra Deedy. Me hubiera gustado que mas personas estubieran aqui. (It was a beautiful experience. The author of the book Martina the Cockroach, Carmen Agra, is very spontaneous and happy; she entertains adults and children. They are people who help others learn about their culture with beautiful stories. I enjoyed the music with lots of rhythm. I would have enjoyed tasting the Cuban flavors. Everything was very beautiful. I really enjoyed meeting Carmen Agra Deedy. I would have liked to see more persons attend. )

El evento que nos dío la libreria con la autora. Carmen Agra Deedy fue muy expectacular. Ella tiene un carisma que envelve a sus fans a vivir lo que cuenta. En el libro que me regalo es muy bonito, es el de Martina una cucarachita muy linda habla sobre matrimonio y sobre el consejo que le da su abuelita para casarse como dicen. A veces las abuelita saben mucho. Es hermoso cuento. A mi niño le regalo el de El gallo que no se callaba. Aun no e platicado sobre su el libro con mi hijo pero el me dijo que estaba muy bonito. Gracias por presenter estos programas a nuestros hijos y a nosotros los padres.
(The event given by the library with the author Carmen Agra Deedy was very spectacular. She has a charisma that invites her fans to live the story she tells. The book she gifted me is very beautiful, it is the story of Martina the beautiful cockroach which speaks about marriage and advice given to her by her grandmother on how to get married. At times grandmothers know a lot. It is a beautiful story. My child was gifted the book The gallo who would not be quiet. At this time I have not spoken to him about the book but he told me his book was very nice. Thank you for presenting these programs to our children and to our parents.

Me gusto por que tuve la oportunidad de conocer a la Sra. Carmen Agra Deed. Mis niños llevaron sus libros autografiados por ella y ahora los leen para hacer sus tareas. La Señora Carmen Agra Deedy es muy linda y amable. Muy buen ambiente se vivio en la biblioteca. (I enjoyed the program because I had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Carmen Agra Deedy. My children had their books autographed by her and now they read them to do homework. Mrs. Carmen Agra Deedy is a very cute and kind. We had a good time in the library.)


My experience with the program was a positive one. I especially enjoyed the way she told the stories of her youth with her mom and their adventure in the journey to learn English as a second language. What a great storyteller!

I loved the Hispanic Heritage program at East Library! The author, Carmen Agra Deedy, was so personable and so friendly! I felt like I had known her for a long time. I love her book, Martina the Beautiful Cockroach, so much that I adapted the text to be a puppet play. I actually went to the event hoping to buy a copy of the book and possibly get her to sign it. Well, my hopes were far exceeded! Imagine my surprise when I was told that free copies of her book would be given out and she was willing to sign one for everyone in attendance. Wow! That really blew my mind! The guest musicians were fabulous, as well. I even enjoyed dancing a little with the staff! I had a really awesome experience.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

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


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 90
Number of presentations/performances administered: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 75


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: IRVING PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 801 W IRVING BLVD
City: IRVING
State: TX
Zip: 75060
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:

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:
From the subrecipient: Best practices included cooperating with different agencies, including the Irving Independent School District and Catholic Charities. I would advise others to hire a quality speaker, such as Carmen Agra Deedy. I learned that the weather can discourage attendance, so it may be better to have a program such as this during the summer months. In the future, I would have my event several months after receiving the grant, so that I would not be rushed, and could follow all of the directions carefully. I would have another librarian on my team double check requirements.
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:
Program management will be dictated by community interest and resulting activities.
Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
Yes
Explain:
Activities may change each year based on community interest.
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: Hispanic heritage, author visit