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G2S Project Code: 2019-NV-83798
State: Nevada
Fiscal Year: 2019

Grantee
Carson City Library

Project Director
Director Name: Maria Klesta
Director Phone: 775-283-7593
Director Email: mklesta@carson.org

General Information
Title: Capital Makers
State Project Code: 19-15
Start Date: 07/01/2019
End Date: 08/31/2020
Abstract: The Carson City Library's original goal for the Capital Makers project was to increase accessibility to the resources and equipment available in the permanent makerspace. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of additional safety measures, the project outcomes changed but still yielded positive results overall. In December 2019 a Makerspace Coordinator was hired. From January through mid-March 2020, hours for the Capital Makers makerspace were regularly offered 15 hours per week with a steady increase in the number of patrons attending open hours and scheduling certification appointments. Patrons were learning how to use equipment and were using the space to create projects and share ideas. From mid-March through August 2020, the Capital Makers makerspace was closed to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions, but progress was still made in other key project areas. The Makerspace Coordinator certified library staff on machines and created Niche Academy training tutorials for all of the Capital Makers equipment. The Makerspace Coordinator also completed maintenance on equipment, inventoried supplies, and compiled usage statistics. Also during this time, Patchwork Giraffe offered a series of virtual sewing workshops and prepared sewing kits for each class. Kits were used by patrons and Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada (BGCWN) Fashion Club members to complete the bi-monthly projects. Overall we reached about 125 individuals with the Capital Makers project. We received positive feedback from workshop attendees and had an increase in makerspace usage before the Capital Makers makerspace was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Partners: BGCWN: A local organization that provides activities to youth in Carson City. Members (teen ages) of the Fashion Club at BGCWN also picked-up sewing kits and followed the recorded sewing workshops to create the bi-monthly projects.
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

$10,000.00

$0.00

$1,727.89

$11,727.89

Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Makerspace Equipment Certification
Narrative: Ideas become reality with your Premiere card in the makerspace! The Makerspace Coordinator provided in-person certification sessions for patrons wanting to learn how to use equipment in the Capital Makers makerspace. These sessions required patrons to first complete the Niche Academy tutorial for the specific machine and pass with a score of 80% or higher before scheduling the in-person appointment. At the appointment, patrons learned how to use the equipment and ask any additional questions they might have. Afterwards, they could come in during Capital Makers open hours to work on projects of their own. Appointment sessions averaged 1 hour.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: In-person

Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 54
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
For what age groups: 13-17 years
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: No
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: Carson City Library
Address: 900 North Roop St.
City: Carson City
State: NV
Zip: 89701

Activity Details
Title: Laser Cutter Tutorial
Narrative: The Laser Cutter & Engraver Workshop was prerecorded and published on the Library's YouTube channel. No live session was offered. Participants learned how to create a simple project on the BOSS laser cutter & engraver that had a Father's Day theme. Viewers also learned how to access the Niche Academy training tutorial for the laser cutter & engraver. The total number of attendance is the number of unique viewers of the YouTube video.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 15
Number of presentations/performances administered: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 13

Partner Information

Activity Details
Title: Sewing Workshops
Narrative: Five sewing workshops were offered including:
Tote Bags (in-person)
Participants learned how to sew a reusable, washable tote bag with an interesting twist! They applied hemming and creative folding techniques in the project. Patchwork Giraffe prepared all of the workshop supplies and provided detailed instruction for the class.

Face Masks (virtual)
Participants learned how to sew a face mask. This workshop was offered live through Zoom and the recording was available for 2 weeks via the Library's YouTube channel (29 unique views).

Mysterious Folded Bag (virtual)
Participants learned how to cut, piece, and fold fabric in a special way, then sew to create a unique yet simple bag. This workshop was offered live through Zoom and the recording was available for 2 weeks via the Library's YouTube channel (23 unique views).

Roll-up Organizer (virtual)
Participants learned how to make a fabric organizer with lots of pockets. The organizer rolls up and ties so your collection of pencils, brushes, or other small tools can be easily stored and carried. This workshop was offered live through Zoom and the recording was available for 2 weeks via the Library's YouTube channel (16 unique views).

Hapa Zome Wall Hanging Art (virtual)
Participants learned the art of hapa zome through hammering leaves and flowers to create fabric wall hanging art. This workshop was offered live through Zoom and the recording was available for 2 weeks via the Library's YouTube channel (11 unique views).

Participant comments: This was my first virtual workshop and I will definitely attend more in the future. Thank you for making it available; I love everything I have learned and taken part of through the makerspace; I loved the sewing program and we learnt very nice sewing stuff. My children learnt to use the sewing machine and
like to sew more.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Combined in-person & virtual

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 5
Average number in attendance per session: 4
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Carson City Library
Address: 900 North Roop St.
City: Carson City
State: NV
Zip: 89701
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 8
Agree: 3
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: 6
Agree: 5
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: 6
Agree: 5
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: 5
Agree: 5
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 9
Agree: 1
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The anticipated outcomes for participants included reporting a 75% increase in access to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) opportunities and a 75% increase in knowledge in regards to new equipment, tools, and technology. Other anticipated outcomes include improved accessibility to the space and equipment by increasing the number of open hours to 15 hours per week with an anticipated increase in attendance by 25% and a 75% increase in the number of certifications completed by library patrons. Actual outcomes January through mid-March 2020: Before the Capital Makers makerspace closed for public use, there was a steady increase in patrons using the space. This included 27 uses in January 2020, 60 uses in February 2020, and 37 uses between March 1 and March 14, 2020. The makerspace was closed on March 17, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If the makerspace had remained open, we believe the usage would have continued to increase. Mid-March through August 2020: While the Capital Makers makerspace was closed to the public, 11 staff members received certification on equipment. This will allow the Carson City Library to continue to certify patrons on equipment as well as maintain more regular hours once it is safe to open the makerspace to the public again. Participant Surveys: 90% of respondents said they felt they had increased access to STEAM opportunities due to makerspace services; 89% of respondents said their knowledge increased in regards to new equipment and technology.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:

Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
There are several significant takeaways from the Capital Makers project. The first is the importance of hiring a Makerspace Coordinator. This position not only provided regular makerspace hours for patrons but trained library staff on how to use all of the Capital Makers equipment. With staff trained, the Carson City Library will be able to certify patrons on all of the equipment as well as offer a more regular schedule of open hours (once the COVID-19 pandemic no longer restricts services). The Makerspace Coordinator also created Niche Academy training tutorials for all of the Capital Makers equipment. These training tutorials are accessible on the library's website and are completed by patrons and staff before they schedule an in-person certification appointment. Another significant lesson learned was the importance of offering virtual content to the community. While virtual programming was not initially included within the Capital Makers project, the COVID-19 pandemic made it a necessity to provide. Each virtual workshop included 15 sewing kits for participants. The kits contained supplies for the project as well as written instructions. The virtual workshops consisted of a live session via Zoom which was recorded. The recording was edited by library staff and published on the library's YouTube channel for a 2 week period. The recordings made it convenient for patrons to complete the activity on their own time and at their own pace. We received positive feedback from virtual workshop attendees.
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:
The Carson City Library plans to continue offering Capital Makers makerspace services to the community. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person services remain unavailable until safety restrictions are lifted. In the meantime, community members are able to access the virtual resources including the online Niche Academy tutorials as well as recordings on the library's YouTube channel.
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: