The project’s intended audiences were dislocated workers, multilingual adult learners, new Americans, and families in poverty. Although not every activity went exactly as planned, overall the project was successful in reaching these audiences and in expanding the library’s response to diverse community needs
Dislocated workers received technological assistance through the LSTA-purchased laptop lab. Twenty-one classes on the Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment were offered to multilingual adult learners at the St. Cloud PublicLibrary. Additionally,both the assessment and the Minnesota Career Information System portal were accessible to residents throughout the region via the library’s website.
New Americans and English language learners attended Conversation Circles at libraries throughout the region and at off site locations. Staff training has increased the library’s capacity and ability to assist this group and to better recognize the importance of equity in providing services.
Pop-up libraries to reach families in poverty took place at free summer lunch sites throughout the city of St. Cloud. Additionally,the library became an approved training entity through Achieve – the Minnesota Center for Professional Development.
Through these individual efforts, the library succeeded in its larger goal of building a framework to better reach and engage with the entire community, including Somali speakers. Access was provided beyond traditional library sites, to include apartment complexes, a factory, daycares, and city parks, among others. The needs of the community and region were diverse and significant, and through the grant the library was able to increase its capacity to respond. Further, the grant provided a catalyst to strengthen relationships with library partners, allowing for additional, and more effective, community engagement opportunities in the future.
