View Project

G2S Project Code: 2018-NV-81840
State: Nevada
Fiscal Year: 2018

Grantee
Pershing County Library

Project Director
Director Name: Kathie Brinkerhoff
Director Phone: 775-273-2216
Director Email: kbrinkerhoff@pershingcounty.net

General Information
Title: AWE Literacy Tablets
State Project Code: 18-11
Start Date: 07/01/2018
End Date: 06/30/2019
Abstract: Pershing County Library staff purchased three AWE Early Literacy Station Bilingual Tablets for use by children ages 2-8, two AfterSchool Edge Tablets for use by children ages 6-12, and a Tech Tub for secure storage. It was our objective that these literacy tablets would help ready our youngest patrons for kindergarten and introduce them to concepts that correlate to both Common Core and academic standards for Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Math (STREAM). We also hoped that young patrons over age six would use the AfterSchool Edge Tablets to help cement STREAM concepts learned at school. In addition to the tablets, we purchased library materials and Playaway audiobooks to enhance our STREAM collections.

Patrons who used the tablets used them alone or with a friend. Very few had parental involvement except to assist with basic use of the tablets. Because of this, we were not able to collect data on improved literacy or school readiness. Patrons did not complete weekly sessions, but rather chose to play games they were familiar with or, perhaps, games they were good at.

State Goal: Goal 3: Nevada libraries will provide responsive and accessible learning environments that meet the needs of all Nevada residents

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$18,942.85

$0.00

$2,072.00

$21,014.85

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

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Youth and Early Literacy Collections
Narrative: Using grant funds, we purchased three Early Literacy Tablets and two AfterSchool Edge Tablets with Accessories. The accessories packages included keyboards, headphones, and bumper pads. To better protect the tablets, we also purchased five screen protectors, four with grant funds and one with library funds. We also purchased a locking Tech Tub, which holds and charges the five tablets. We used the remaining funds to purchase books and audio visual materials. We bought 28 Playaways, 45 DVDs and 53 books.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 6
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 53
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 73

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: General

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Pershing County Library
Address: 1125 Central Ave.
City: Lovelock
State: NV
Zip: 89419

Activity Details
Title: Staff Trainings
Narrative: In August 2018, an AWE customer service representative trained all four library employees, including the library director. The training session lasted approximately one hour and included basic use of the tablets, as well as how and why to set passwords. In the following months, staff received simple instruction as needed. These as-needed sessions usually lasted five minutes or less. In June of 2019, the library director received additional training on retrieving statistics. This session lasted 10-15 minutes.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 18
Number of sessions in program: 5
Average number in attendance per session: 4
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

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: Yes
Name: Pershing County Library
Address: 1125 Central Ave.
City: Lovelock
State: NV
Zip: 89419
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: AWE Tablet Demos and Open House
Narrative: We held a Halloween Party in October 2018 with approximately 45 participants. While the children were doing crafts, the library director explained the AWE tablets to the 5 parents in attendance and demonstrated their use. After the craft while library staff were getting ready to demonstrate a simple volcano and elephant’s toothpaste, the library director spoke to all participants about the tablets and other library materials available for their use. This presentation lasted about seven minutes.

The library director also explained and demonstrated the AWE tablets to four members of the library board, five members of the Friends of the Library, and explained their purpose to the three county commissioners. Each of these presentations lasted about five minutes.

The Pershing County School District invited the library director to participate in a Back-To-School Night. We set up a table in the gym with several AWE tablets and other formats of library materials. As parents and children/youth stopped by the booth, we told them about the tablets and briefly explained their use. We spoke to about 10 parents and 20 children/youth.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

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

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 10
Number of presentations/performances administered: 5
Average number in attendance per session: 15

Partner Information

Activity Details
Title: AWE Tablet Drop-in Sessions
Narrative: During the grant period, the library director and her staff would talk to parents/guardians about the AWE tablets whenever possible. We brought the tablets out when there were groups of parents in the library so they were on hand to show patrons what they were and explain their use. We also showed them to the children who came in alone or with friends.

Some parents closely monitored their children’s screen time and would not allow their children to use the tablets. Other parents happily encouraged their children to ask for a tablet every time they came to the library.

These consultations were generally very short, lasting only 2-3 minutes.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: In-person

Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 50
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 4

Partner Information

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
We were able to observe that even the very young children increased their digital literacy. When they first started playing with the tablets they required assistance in finding a game to play. They frequently would also accidentally turn their tablet off and need assistance getting back on. Once they used a tablet a few times, they rarely needed assistance from anyone.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
We discovered that some of the parents of home schooled students did not want their children to use an electronic device. They set a limit on the time their children used electronics and were very careful not to pass it.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
We were not able to persuade any of the parents to work with their child oon the tablet. Other than helping a very young child get started, most parents left use of the tab;ets up to their children. Without parental involvement, the children were not able to work on sessions or towards any particular goal other than just the fun of playing with the tablet.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
No
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: