View Project

G2S Project Code: 2019-MO-82681
State: Missouri
Fiscal Year: 2019
Grantee
KANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Molly Doroba
Director Phone: 816-701-3676
Director Email: mollydoroba@kclibrary.org
General Information
Title: SLT: Spotlight on Early Learning and Sensory Storytimes
State Project Code: 2019-LFL9-SLT19CN9-9347
Start Date: 05/01/2019
End Date: 04/30/2020
Abstract: The Kansas City Public Library updated each branch's early literacy space to be more welcoming and inclusive for all children and held training for staff on working with children with sensory issues. 
State Goal: Target Library and Information Services
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$10,440.78
$0.00
$32.14
$10,472.92
Intent(s)
Improve the library workforce.
Early Literacy
Continuing Education and Staff Development
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Instructional Programs
Narrative: The Kansas City Public Library provided training for their staff on working with young patrons on the autism spectrum and providing sensory storytimes. Dr. Leni Swails provided Child-Adult Relationship Enhancement (CARE) which laid the groundwork for the Youth and Family Engagement Staff to better understand typical development and behavioral patterns in young children with autism. 

Professional storyteller, presenter, and educator Sherry Norfolk led the second training for the staff focused entirely on planning and implementing sensory storytimes. 

Along with staff training, this grant was used to purchase new toys and comfort objects that could be used during storytimes as well as be used to make the early literacy centers in the Library's seven branches more sensory friendly. These toys included soft blocks, scarves, stepping stones, stacking cups, abacuses, large interactive play cubes, and more. Comfort items included noise-reducing headphones and various weighted stuffed animals.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 300
Number of sessions in program: 3
Average number in attendance per session: 11
Number of times program administered: 1


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: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Suburban
For what age groups: 0-5 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
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: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: KANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 913 BALTIMORE AVE
City: KANSAS CITY
State: MO
Zip: 64105
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
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Many Youth and Family Engagement staff members commented on how they used the skills learned from Dr. Swails' program. Staff received countless ideas on how to modify weekly storytimes so they include and make all children feel welcome and part of their program.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Librarians can now continually promote inclusivity at the library with the early literacy centers and training in planning inclusive storytimes.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
A single half-day training can be extremely enlightening when it comes to learning about the thought processing or behavioral tendencies of children with autism. Offering this type of professional and personal development for staff not only helps create a more understanding workplace, but it helps foster better relationships with librarians and their patrons.
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:
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: Early Literacy