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G2S Project Code: 2019-CA-83221
State: California
Fiscal Year: 2019

Grantee
COUNTY OF IMPERIAL FREE LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Crystal Duran
Director Phone: 442-265-7102
Director Email: crystalduran@co.imperial.ca.us

General Information
Title: Libraries on the Spectrum
State Project Code: 40-8967
Start Date: 07/01/2019
End Date: 08/31/2020
Abstract: The Libraries on the Spectrum project sought to encourage families with individuals with autism to access their local public library for educational and recreational programs, specially curated resources, and to expand their personal networks in a comfortable and welcoming environment. The five participating local public library systems--Imperial County Free Library, Brawley Public Library, Camarena Memorial Library, El Centro Public Library, and Imperial Public Library—were on their way to achieving these goals when the Covid19 pandemic abruptly halted and delayed activities.

Prior to the closures, public library staff from all partnering libraries participated in staff training, library directors met individually with Dan Weiss from Library Connections, and each library committed to changing some aspect of their environment to make the library more welcoming and comfortable for people with autism spectrum disorder. Project staff developed and purchased a collection of equipment to be used by and with individuals with autism; library directors co-drafted an equipment lending policy to assure consistent rules, and a menu of the entire collection was created for each library to have on-site as well as online. Prior to the pandemic, library staff were trained in specific customer service skills, and each system hosted at least one family program. When library staff were laid off, project staff continued ordering and developing the collection until it is safe to install and circulate.
State Goal: Goal 1: Equitable Access

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$245,000.00

$0.00

$94,251.00

$339,251.00

Intent(s)
Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their personal or family health & wellness.
Personal/Family health & wellness
Library Infrastructure & Capacity

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Libraries on the Spectrum Book Collection
Narrative: Project staff purchased books and DVDs to create a collection that includes resources on the topic of autism such as how to support individuals with autism, how to cope with autism for other family members, and books written by individuals on the spectrum. Books also include social stories that help explain typical activities for individuals on the spectrum. Some titles in the collection include: “Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Every Parent Needs to Know”, “The Autism Social Skills Picture Book: Teaching Communication, Play, and Emotion”, “Calm-Down Time,” “Kids, Music ‘n’ Autism”. The collection includes items in both English and Spanish, and all items are cataloged with a locally created subject heading and include a distinguishing spine label of the project logo for easy identification. At the time of reporting, libraries did not lend items out due to Covid closures.
Intent: Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their personal or family health & wellness.

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: 714
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: 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

Activity Details
Title: Libraries on the Spectrum Educational and Recreational Programs
Narrative: The Libraries on the Spectrum project planned and implemented educational and recreational programs for families with individuals with autism at all partner library sites. The programs included a themed social story and discussion activity accompanied by 90 minutes of sensory exploration play. The themes for the social story and discussion activity were visiting the library, and feelings and emotions. During the social story time, families were invited to gather in a space filled with various types of seating (floor rockers, bean bags, and large cushions), and a sensory basket filled with various stimuli (textured shapes, fidgets, weighted lap pads, therapy balls). A story on the theme was read aloud and participants were asked questions throughout. Staff used various visual cues (posters, timers) to complement the story. During the sensory exploration, stations were placed throughout the library and included blocks and legos, puzzles and games, a calming corner, fidget toys, sensory exploration bins, doodling station, and stations that promoted fine and gross motor skills. Families were invited to explore the stations at their leisure and some families engaged in 1-2 stations for the duration of the program while others visited each station. At some libraries, these programs were scheduled during typical business hours, while at others, the library was exclusively open for the program.

Intent: Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their personal or family health & wellness.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 120
Number of sessions in program: 2
Average number in attendance per session: 24
Number of times program administered: 7

Partner Information

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: 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: 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: CAMARENA MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Address: 850 ENCINAS AVE.
City: CALEXICO
State: CA
Zip: 92231
Name: CITY OF BRAWLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 400 MAIN ST.
City: BRAWLEY
State: CA
Zip: 92227
Name: CITY OF IMPERIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 200 W. NINTH ST.
City: IMPERIAL
State: CA
Zip: 92251
Name: EL CENTRO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 539 STATE ST.
City: EL CENTRO
State: CA
Zip: 92243
Name: Imperial County Free Library Calipatria Branch
Address: 105 S Lake Ave
City: Calipatria
State: CA
Zip: 92233
Name: Imperial County Free Library Heber Branch
Address: 1132 Heber Ave
City: Heber
State: CA
Zip: 92249
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: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
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:
One goal of the project was to make the resources and programs available countywide so that families whose members have autism could access these much-needed resources close to their home - an important factor given the geographic spread of the county. One surprising finding was that multiple families traveled to the different programs across the county, essentially “following” the programs because they enjoyed them so much. Another unexpected outcome was the involvement of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) providers. While planning the program and resources, we connected with families and didn’t originally consider the role of the ABA provider in supporting individuals with autism. ABA providers became significant in outreach to others within the autism network and provided recommendations on the equipment lending collection.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Learning that families were willing to travel throughout the county to attend the programs only affirmed our knowledge that these types of programs and resources are much needed in Imperial County. It also attested to the fact that our libraries haven’t been serving this population to our best ability in the past but can now do so with more confidence. Throughout development of the program we enlisted families to provide input through roundtables, charting activities, and surveys, and plan to continue to include ABA providers for future program planning.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
It took much more time than anticipated to plan and implement programs, develop the equipment collection, and determine what environmental changes to make. It perhaps would have been a more manageable timeline if the project only involved 1-2 library locations but this project included five library systems. Much more time was spent on administrative tasks for the project such as connecting with vendors, placing orders, reviewing receivables, and managing claims. It is also essential to have a project lead that has knowledge and experience in serving individuals with autism as that experience is needed to lead library directors and staff in making the best decisions.
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:
We will plan and implement a mix of to-go activity kits and brief virtual program components to serve families throughout the current pandemic. Families indicated to limit the virtual programming as many of their children on the spectrum have not positively responded to this shift in learning and engagement. Future virtual programs will be recorded with specific guidelines in place such as keeping the program to just under three minutes and to model only one skill or activity.
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: Yes
Exemplary NarrativeThe Covid19 pandemic really hindered the potential for this project but we believe that under better circumstances there are various project elements that are replicable and deserve sharing. Developing the equipment collection to serve this population and anyone else with varying cognitive and physical abilities is a large task but worthwhile in providing access to tools that families might otherwise struggle with. Another key element to the project is the fact that all five library systems adopted the same lending policy and implemented the same programs; this repetition and predictability is important for serving the individuals with autism who typically struggle with change. This is also key to making services and resources easy to access for families that already have to navigate between many service providers, agencies and specialists.

Project Tags: Autism Spectrum Disorder, adaptive programming