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G2S Project Code: 2019-PA-83095
State: Pennsylvania
Fiscal Year: 2019
Grantee
Pennsylvania Library Association

Project Director
Director Name: Christi Buker
Director Phone: 7177667663
Director Email: christi@palibraries.org
General Information
Title: PaLA, College and Research Division (CRD) Professional Development
State Project Code: FC4100081545
Start Date: 10/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2020
Abstract: This grant supported two primary, annual professional development opportunities administered by the College & Research Division of the Pennsylvania Library Association for academic librarians: Academic-library focused sessions and speakers at the Pennsylvania Library Association Annual Conference, and the College and Research Division Spring Workshop. These professional development programs focused on timely topics for academic librarians, featured national and regional speakers, and provided strategies that librarians can actively implement in their libraries to better serve their campus communities. In addition to the statewide events, grant funds were awarded to regional chapters in support for local professional development workshops, as well as individuals to defray the cost of attending professional development events. Grant funds provided Pennsylvania academic librarians scholarships to participate in innovative learning experiences. Topics covered were digital literacy, open educational resources, information literacy, and assessment.

State Goal: Training and Support
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$34,805.00
$0.00
$178.00
$34,983.00
Intent(s)
Improve the library workforce.
Library Infrastructure & Capacity
Continuing Education and Staff Development
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Implicit Bias Workshop
Narrative:

Dr. Bentley Gibson presented training on implicit bias. He covered the psychology, the impact for libraries on employment, services provided, and collection development.  A self-assessment test aided the attendees to identify their unknown biases.  More information on the subject was presented with resources and further reading list.



Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 37
Number of times program administered: 2


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: 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: 10
Academic Libraries: 25
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 4
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 20
Agree: 7
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 13
Agree: 12
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 20
Agree: 6
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 17
Agree: 6
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 3
Disagree: 2
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Connect and Communicate
Narrative: Ongoing sessions provided an open-forum for librarians across the state to discuss current issues, topics and trends that impacted the academic community.  Subjects covered were Listening to Community Users, Safe Space in Academic Libraries, White Fragility (book discussion), Centering Student Voices, Academic Libraries and the Autism Spectrum Disorder, Academic Freedom  and Academic Libraries, Setting the stage to Civic Minded Education, Health Information for Distance Learning, and Providing Services during COVID-19.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 50
Number of times program administered: 21


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: 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: 0
Academic Libraries: 65
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 10
Agree: 6
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 6
Agree: 9
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 6
Agree: 9
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 9
Agree: 6
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Me & White Supremacy
Narrative: Author Layla F. Saad, presented a program for public and academic librarians.  Copies of Saad's books, Me & White Supremacy were distributed to attendees in advance of programs.  The sessions provided concrete methods to make personal and professional changes with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.  
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 135
Number of times program administered: 2


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: 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: 68
Academic Libraries: 78
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 4
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 21
Agree: 7
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 17
Agree: 9
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 4
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 19
Agree: 10
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 16
Agree: 11
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The primary outcome of this project increased opportunities for academic librarians to access high-quality, relevant professional development, as well as increase their ability to access this development through reduced costs and with methods accessible during the pandemic. Funds supported programs that reached a total of 556 Pennsylvania librarians. Virtual sessions allowed more librarians to attend without the time and cost of travel. Feedback was positive from attendees. .
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The surveys and open-ended feedback for supported programs was positive and showed participants learned from these events and plan to apply what they have learned. The feedback indicated a need for continued virtual engagement for those with limited travel abilities. Virtual programming provided unexpected benefits for Pennsylvania academic librarians as they conducted research and fulfilled the requirements for promotion and tenure at their institutions. Based on feedback, virtual training will continue.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The most important lesson learned was adapting to meet the needs of the community. By pivoting to a virtual environment, more librarians participated than in-person trainings.
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: Academic Libraries, Continuing Education, Continuing Education