View Project

G2S Project Code: 2019-NV-83796
State: Nevada
Fiscal Year: 2019
Grantee
Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records

Project Director
Director Name: Hope Williams
Director Phone: 775-684-3381
Director Email: hwilliams@admin.nv.gov
General Information
Title: Nevada Talking Book Services
State Project Code: 19-13
Start Date: 07/01/2019
End Date: 06/30/2020
Abstract: Nevada Talking Book Services (NTBS), part of the NLS federal program available to all U.S. residents with an identified handicap preventing them from reading print materials, administered the program to all qualifying Nevadans enrolled in the program, so all may read. NTBS enrolled and provided reading materials, players and some accessories free of charge, in accessible formats they could use. The grant supported the annual cost for the specialized database which allows each patron with a personalized reading experience. This grant also provided funding for staff that circulated books, monitored and updated patron accounts; assisted patrons with book selection and equipment instruction and replacement; repaired and tracked players; helped patrons with the electronic download process, and shared information with potential patrons though outreach efforts. This grant year's focus regarded staff providing phone instruction to patrons on how to use the online catalog (OPAC) and download books option. Additionally, the outreach tech and librarian offered four training sessions on different aspects of downloading books. Both are ongoing. The results of staff efforts is that NTBS patrons were able to read for pleasure, improve their quality of life, and increase their independence. Project partner: National Library Service (NLS), a federal program of the Library of Congress, provides the majority of books, all machines and accessories, the download site (BARD) and consultation. This year, they also provided a computer, the software (Gutenberg), a starter supply of mail cards, cartridges, containers and labels for the duplication on demand (DoD) circulation system. They have also provided troubleshooting support for the new system.
State Goal: Goal 3: Nevada libraries will provide responsive and accessible learning environments that meet the needs of all Nevada residents
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$293,283.99
$0.00
$72,259.00
$365,542.99
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Other
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Catalog Training, 1
Narrative: We offered four formal training opportunities to patrons on downloading books through Braille and Audio Download (BARD). Each was one hourlong; each training was offered only once. The first one was offered November 13, 2019; it was on applying for access and establishing an account. No one signed up for this training. The second training, January 8, 2020, was about searching and downloading from the BARD site. Two patrons signed up and took part in in this training. The third training offered was using BARD Express, a program that simplifies the download process for Windows users; this was done Mary 11, 2020. Four patrons took part in this training and responded to the survey questions. The fourth training offered was on BARD Mobile, a free applications for iOS, Android and Kindle devices. This was offered May 13,2020; three patrons signed up, but only one attended.
There was not a lot of participation for these training sessions, but the training materials were developed and can be offered again with little preparation.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 4
Average number in attendance per session: 2
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: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
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: No
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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 27
Agree: 12
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 27
Agree: 10
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 3
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 27
Agree: 10
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 3
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 24
Agree: 9
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 4
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 3
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 21
Agree: 5
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 4
Disagree: 5
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 6
Activity Details
Title: Catalog Training, 2
Narrative: Staff gave phone instruction to patrons on how to use the online catalog and the BARD download site. The survey questions were read and answers recorded. Staff did not always remember to offer the survey, so not 100% of those who received instructions were given the chance to respond. 

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 55
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 5


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: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
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: No
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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Talking Books Collection
Narrative: Staff time was used to select and attach all new titles added to the collection July through April. As of May, we no longer received copies of individual titles.

Matching funds were used to purchase 10 books for the recording program. Twenty-nine titles, four issues of Nevada magazine, three SilverLining newsletters and two Nevada Women's History issues were created and circulated; 11 issues of other magazines were distributed by the recording program. The recording program staff was paid with matching funds. 

LSTA funds purchased the Keystone Systems (KLAS) contract for period July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. This software is used by staff for patron data, reader advisory, circulation of books, serials and machines, statistics and machine inventory. The KLAS contract also provides catalog services including loading of MARC records and updates, software support, software updates, address validation service and data backup.

In this fiscal year, high demand items were downloaded and made ready for circulation by Library Assistant II paid with LSTA funds. Staff created these titles to supply requested titles to patrons quicker. Project outputs include 1) 68 high demand items and 294 permanent for a total of 362 copies of 181 high demand titles; 2) approximately two hours per title, or 362 LSTA staff hours were committed to creating new items and monitoring the new items use; 3) staff time was also used to circulate the high demand titles created by the project. This project was curtailed in February when we were told we were getting the duplication on demand (DoD) system from the National Library Service.

We purchased two moveable recording booths with matching funds. The booths are used by the recording program which produces titles not selected by NLS to record but would be of interest to our Nevada patrons.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

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


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 2
Number of software acquired: 1
Number of licensed databases acquired: 1
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 10
Number of electronic materials acquired: 5,806
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: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
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: No
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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Talking Books Newsletter and Website
Narrative: Four issues of the SilverLining newsletter were created, then produced in paper by the State Printer, audio by the recording program and electronic text formats by the librarian. The newsletters contain current event information we want to convey to our patrons as well as the titles of new Nevada books. Content for the Talking Book Services website, nsla.nv.gov/ntbs1, was created and updated as needed. A banner was placed on this page with links to 10 lists of award winning books and their corresponding book numbers: Alex Award Winner, Nobel Prize for Literature, Pulitzer Prize fiction books, Neustadt Prizes, Women's Prize for Fiction, Costa Book Awards, The Odyssey Award, John Newberry Medal, Robert F. Sibert Information Book Medal, and Children's Literature Legacy Award.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

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


Quantity
Number of items digitized: 4
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 4
Number of physical items: 276
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 10
Number of plans/frameworks: 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: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
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: No
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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The goal of this program is to provide a responsive learning environment and improve our patrons' quality of life. To this end, in addition to all other facets of our service, the emphasis of this grant year was patron instruction on the online catalog (OPAC) and book download process (BARD). Staff participated in and reported on 40 BARD and 15 OPAC one-on-one training sessions over the phone with patrons. Staff assisted patrons in completing a survey on the phone for each session. The results are included in this report as BARD Survey Responses and OPAC Survey Responses. Staff also offered four scheduled conference call trainings on using BARD. Outcomes: Patrons gained knowledge and confidence regarding these options. They also intend to apply what they learned, are more aware of resources and services and are likely to use other library resources and services, per their survey responses.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The survey results show that staff are proficient on the topics of the the OPAC and BARD providing useful and reliable information. It was a good activity for staff as well as patrons, providing positive feedback for staff and instilling confidence in their knowledge and abilities to convey the information to patrons.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Staff frequently forgot to ask patrons the survey questions after giving instructions over the phone on the OPAC and BARD. I did remind them verbally though requiring a weekly report from each in writing may have gotten a better return rate. The scheduled training sessions were not well attended. It was advertised in each newsletter, but possibly we could have made some cold calls to patrons or asked staff for suggested names to elicit better participation. The preparation for the training sessions was a good learning experience for the outreach staff; he learned some of the finer details of organizing his material and presenting and was able to create a well organized, complete document that anyone could use for training in the future.
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:
Talking Books moved to a new location within the state library this year. Matching local funds used to move equipment and purchase new recording booths were one-time-only expenditures.
Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
Yes
Explain:
This program will continue at its current level of service as long as funding is available. We will continue our outreach efforts to share this resource and increase our patron base. We will continue to fund the local recording program with gift funds. We will continue to look for ways to improve and expand services and respond to patron needs. In the coming year, our focus with be to inform patrons of some of the statewide databases, how to use them, and how to access them.
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: