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G2S Project Code: 2018-MI-81768
State: Michigan
Fiscal Year: 2018

Grantee
Library of Michigan

Project Director
Director Name: Karren Reish
Director Phone: 517-241-0021
Director Email: reishk@michigan.gov

General Information
Title: Library Science & Programming Resources Collections
State Project Code: Resource Collection/Circulating Kits/WebJunction/Manuals
Start Date: 10/01/2018
End Date: 09/30/2019
Abstract: In order to assist libraries of all types to increase staff capacity and knowledge as well as improve programming opportunities in their communities, the Library of Michigan has focused on providing a range of professional resources. These resources include a Library Science materials collection, a collection of programming kits, WebJunction resources and the development of a TV WhiteSpace manual and the update of a Public Library Financial Management Guide.

The Library Science Collection is a circulating “Librarian’s Library” of professional library science books and materials. The collection serves all librarians and library types in Michigan. The programming kits are kits that include all the materials necessary for a particular activity or outreach program. Libraries may reserve the kits for a specific time and check it out to use at their location at that time. The collection and kits are in the second year of circulation this year. WebJunction is a collection of library programming and management related content (text, video, etc.) available online. The TV Whitespace manual and the Public Library Financial Management guides are written specifically for Michigan public libraries to provide professional level assistance in these areas.

State Goal: Goal 2: Current Services & Support

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$68,064.77

$0.00

$68,064.77

Intent(s)
Improve the library workforce.
Continuing Education and Staff Development
Programming & Event Planning

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Library Science collection
Narrative: The Library Science Collection is a circulating “Librarian’s Library” of professional library science books and materials. The collection serves all librarians and library types in Michigan. Library staff need continuing education to improve and inform their collections and services. With this professional collection, they can learn more about a range of issues, such as managing technology, strategic planning, collection analysis, supervising staff or volunteers, managing digital collections, developing and digitizing historical collections, providing storytimes, teaching parents early literacy skill development, budgeting, facilities management, serving special populations of patrons, standards for school libraries, etc. The collection is wide-ranging and includes materials for public, academic and school libraries. In 2019, 315 items circulated from the collection.

Anyone can borrow the materials through MeLCat, the statewide resource sharing system, or interlibrary loan. People can find materials by searching the Library of Michigan's catalog, ANSWER, by topic, or browse the Library Science Collection (#3 in the lists of new materials).

For ease of use by libraries in remote areas of the state, books are circulated through the statewide resource sharing system, MeLCat, delivery service.

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 234
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 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

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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 398
Academic Libraries: 110
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 11
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 265
Other: 0

Question 1: I am satisfied that the resource is meeting library needs.
Strongly Agree: 11
Agree: 6
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 3
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: Applying the resource will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 12
Agree: 5
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 3
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Activity Details
Title: Circulating Program Kits
Narrative:

The Library of Michigan has continued to provide kits of STEM programming materials for children and teens on space science as one of four state library agencies to be selected for NASA @ My Library, a nationwide science-technology initiative launched in 2018. In 2019, the Library of Michigan duplicated the original two NASA @ My Library kits into a total of sixteen kits to circulate to public libraries for programming and worked out a system to develop new programming kits on a range of topics. We have also increased outreach to public library staff on kit availability and training on kit materials.

The first kit, “Sun Earth Moon Connections,” contained program support tools for modeling eclipses, ultraviolet light detection tools, Suncolulars for safely viewing the sun, and other items that explore the connections between our planet and the sun and moon. The second kit, “Be a NASA Detective,” included materials such as a telescope, binoculars, infrared thermometers, and more to assist participants in observing our earth and solar system with more than our normal vision and senses. Books, activity supplies and more were included with both kits to teach and interactively engage participants of all ages with space science activities through the public library. These books and activity supplies are intended to teach and interactively engage all ages with space science activities through the library. The Library of Michigan replaced consumable materials as needed as well as purchasing the other items listed. The 16 current kits circulated 47 times total.

Finally, the project includes a circulation system (Kitkeeper) to manage reservations and circulation of kits. Kits are shipped through UPS and shipping is covered by the Library of Michigan to allow small and rural libraries in remote areas of the state to participate.

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical

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

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 398
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: WebJunction subscription
Narrative:

The Library of Michigan supports public library staff skill building by providing access to WebJunction. WebJunction is a collection of training materials and content for public libraries on a range of administrative and public services issues. It includes hundreds of library-related live online webinars, archived webinars and self-paced online classes. These materials provide library staff continuing education in the areas of management, library services, technology and staff training and development.

For the fiscal year 2018, 216 courses were accessed 3,784 times.

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Digital

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

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 195
Academic Libraries: 23
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 11
Special Libraries: 4
School Libraries: 18
Other: 0

Question 1: I am satisfied that the resource is meeting library needs.
Strongly Agree: 66
Agree: 94
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 7
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: Applying the resource will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 66
Agree: 84
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 14
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 3

Activity Details
Title: Manuals for Public Library Administration
Narrative:

The Library of Michigan revised and expanded the Michigan Public Library Financial Management Guide in 2019 and provided training around the state about the updates. The revisions were written by an accounting firm with expertise in public library accounting to ensure library directors and boards had the most up-to-date and accurate information on budgeting, retirement funds, accounting standards, etc. to manage their library finances.

The Library of Michigan also worked with library staff who had implemented a TV Whitespace (TVWS) project to improve internet connectivity in their community to write a "cookbook" for public libraries to do similar projects in their communities. TVWS is unused, license-exempt portions of the radio spectrum traditionally allocated to television broadcasts but can now be harnessed to transmit WiFi and extend internet connectivity options in areas that may not be able to receive access through other means. Increasing the public library workforce's understanding of the technology and supporting their ability to investigate the technology for use in their own local communities can provide greater digital inclusion for residents.

Both manuals are available online. The financial management guide is being printed and sent to Michigan public library directors in 2020.

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

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

Quantity
Number of items digitized: 0
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 2
Number of physical items: 2
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

Public Libraries: 398
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 11
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Question 1: I am satisfied that the resource is meeting library needs.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: Applying the resource 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

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The focus of this project began in 2018 with the purchase of circulating kit materials and library science materials. We have expanded it to reflect the range of professional library science and programming materials we provide directly to public libraries. The response from the field has been very strong. The kits are reserved all the time so our concern about where to store them turned out not to be an issue. As for WebJunction, the library science collection, and the new manuals, the usage stats and feedback from the field are quite positive.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Library science administrative training, books and materials and specialty programming items are expensive for local libraries and are of limited use. Due to these budget and use issues, librarians are rarely able to purchase or use items like these. By purchasing them for statewide use, librarians and libraries can take advantage of the materials without the burden of the cost for specialty items.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
For both the library science collection and the circulating kits, since these are physical items, we are having trouble keeping up with demand so we are anticipating expanding these resources.
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:
We plan to add to the Library Science Collection and Circulating kits. We also plan to provide a revised and updated Michigan Public Library Trustee Manual and Library Law manual in 2020.
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: library science collection, programming kits