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G2S Project Code: 2018-NV-81853
State: Nevada
Fiscal Year: 2018

Grantee
Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records

Project Director
Director Name: Hope Williams
Director Phone: 775-684-3381
Director Email: hwilliams@admin.nv.gov

General Information
Title: Nevada Talking Book Services
State Project Code: 18-13
Start Date: 10/01/2017
End Date: 09/30/2019
Abstract: Nevada Talking Book Services (NTBS), part of the NLS federal program available to all U.S. residents with an identified handicap preventing them from reading print materials, administered the program to all qualifying Nevadans enrolled in the program, so all may read. NTBS enrolled and provided reading materials, players and some accessories free of charge, in accessible formats they could use.
The grant supported the annual cost for the specialized database which allows each patron with a personalized reading experience. This grant also provided funding for staff that circulated books, monitored and updated patron accounts; assisted patrons with book selection, equipment instruction and replacement, helped patrons with the electronic download process, and shared information with potential patrons though outreach efforts.

This grant year, staff participated in 10 reader advisory (RA) activities to increase their resources and quality of RA. Additionally, pre and post surveys were sent to 10% of enrolled patrons to determine if patrons noticed improved speed of requests filled.

The result is that NTBS patrons were able to read for pleasure, improve their quality of life, and increase their independence.

Partners: National Library Service (NLS), a federal program of the Library of Congress, provides the majority of books, all machines and accessories, the download site (BARD) and consultation.
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

$279,002.88

$0.00

$33,464.51

$312,467.39

Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Other

Activities
Activity Details
Title: New Talking Books Titles
Narrative: Staff time was used to select and attach all new titles added to the collection. This includes 125 permanent digital copies that were selected, ordered, received and attached each quarter for a total of 500 items in the year.

Matching funds were used to purchase 23 books for the recording program. Forty two titles were added to the collection through the recording program. The recording program staff was paid with matching funds.

The recording program produced 40 books in audio format about Nevada or by Nevada authors to supplement the national collection. The number is included in the number of copies and titles added below.

Two magazines, Nevada Magazine and Nevada Women's History, and each issue of the newsletter were recorded and distributed by this program; a total of 32 magazine issues and 4 newsletter issues were created. The program also made copies of Guideposts and Mother Earth News to circulate to subscribed patrons. A total of 1189 magazines were circulated this year. This program is managed by an employee who is paid with matching funds.

LSTA funds purchased the Keystone Systems (KLAS) contract for period July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. This software is used by staff for patron data, reader advisory, circulation of books, serials and machines, statistics for circulation and machine and machine inventory. The KLAS contract also provides catalog services including loading of MARC records and updates, software support, software updates, address validation service and data backup.

In this fiscal year, high demand items were downloaded and made ready for circulation by an LAII paid with LSTA funds. Staff created these titles to supply requested titles to patrons quicker. Project outputs include 1) 162 high demand items and 1122 permanent for a total of 1284 high demand titles; 2) approximately 225 LSTA staff hours were committed to creating new items and monitoring the new items use; 3) staff time circulating the high demand titles created by the project.

Matching gift funds were used to purchase 23 books for the recording program this year.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

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

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 1
Number of licensed databases acquired: 1
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 23
Number of electronic materials acquired: 1,284
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0

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: Yes
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: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
Rural
For what age groups: All Ages
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: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

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

Activity Details
Title: Silver Lining Newsletter
Narrative: Four issues of the SilverLining newsletter were produced in paper and electronic formats. These contain current event information we would like to convey to our patrons as well as titles of new Nevada books.

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: 4
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 0
Number of plans/frameworks: 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

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

Activity Details
Title: Metadata
Narrative: Staff time was committed to database entry of all new titles with proper subject coding for circulation to patrons based on identified preferences. Staff time was also used to rate and code unrated books.

The recording program submitted 38 titles to the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled download site, BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download)

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Description
Format: Physical

Quantity
Number of items made discoverable to the public: 38
Number of collections made discoverable to the public: 0
Number of metadata plans/frameworks produced/updated: 0

Partner Information

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

Activity Details
Title: Digital Audiobook Lending
Narrative: The LSTA staff in Carson City contributed directly or indirectly to the tasks associated with the daily circulation of books to enrolled patrons. This program circulated digital audio books and machines provided by the National Library Service, the DOD/DDP project and our local recording program. Staff processed interlibrary loan requests for physical titles not in our collection. These circulation tasks are performed by two LSTA funded positions: the circulation clerk and the machine clerk.

Machines were mailed to new patrons and those requiring replacement players. Accessories such as headphones, remote controls and USB elbows were also distributed to patrons. These tasks were performed by an LSTA funded the machine clerk LA II position

Total circ: 115,910 books;596 machines; 372 accessories
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Physical

Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 116,878
Average number of items circulated / month: 9,740
Total number of ILL transactions: 1,114
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 93

Partner Information

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

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The goal of this program was to provide a responsive learning environment. To this end, in addition to all other services we provide, the emphasis of this grant year was to increase the reader advisers' (RA) abilities to help patrons, instill confidence in the RAs and increase patron satisfaction by having a monthly staff RA training. Staff participated in 10 training sessions. Staff completed a survey for each training they attended or conducted. The results are included with this submission. Outcomes: Staff knowledge, confidence, and ability to help patrons find what they want/need increased due to the RA training sessions, thus increasing in the quality of reader advisory for patrons. Pre and post surveys were sent to 10% of our patrons to determine if they request books and how quickly do they receive them. The rate of return for the post survey was significant over the the number of pre-survey's returned. But similar results were received for both surveys with slight increases to positive responses on the post-survey. 2% more responded on the post survey that they request books. 3% more responded to question 2 they receive their requested books very quickly. Patrons seem more receptive to the post-survey and gave slightly more positive responses. Outcome: Based on the survey results, patrons perceived they got titles they wanted quicker due to duplication efforts.
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:
Some staff were reluctant to offer training to other staff, and one staff did not present an effective training sessions. Each staff person was required to offer two training sessions. They were allowed to choose the topic, with approval from the supervisor. To address these challenges, one might not require that each staff person present. Make it ~ voluntary rather than required. Content could have improved in some cases by reviewing the materials with the presenter beforehand and/or practicing presenting the material. One staff person enjoyed the prep as much as the presentation by creating a game of Bingo based on a questionnaire about the program, which we could answer beforehand. She even had small gifts to give the 1st and 2nd winner so staff enjoyed it and learned something also. An issue with the pre and post survey being sent to the same patrons both times was that some patrons were not on the program for the second survey; either they quit or were deceased. Also, some patrons did not read the survey description that this was a post survey as some wrote they had already answered these questions once.
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:
Yes
Explain:
This program will continue at its current level of service as long as funding is available. We will continue our outreach efforts to share this resource and increase our patron base. We will continue to fund the local recording program with gift funds. We will continue to look for ways to improve and expand services and respond to patron needs. In the coming year, we will offer four training sessions over the phone to patrons who want to learn the basics of downloading books. RA training and sharing will be encouraged but not required.
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: