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G2S Project Code: 2019-MN-83708
State: Minnesota
Fiscal Year: 2019
Grantee
State Library Services - Minnesota Department of Education

Project Director
Director Name: Jennifer R Nelson
Director Phone: 651-582-9791
Director Email: jennifer.r.nelson@state.mn.us
General Information
Title: Building Library Capacity and Partnerships
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2020
Abstract: State Library Services staff led initiatives focused on building partnerships that connected libraries to one another and to communities and statewide entities to improve services to library users. Webinars, conference presentations and targeted communications connected library staff with key information on library topics. A series of workshops on Social Work in Libraries offered participants key skills for working with challenging populations. Data collection and reporting demonstrated the central role of public libraries in creating an informed and engaged citizenry and informed policymakers’ plans to improve library services in their communities.

SLS partnered with the Minnesota State Demographic Center to designate public libraries as Questionnaire Assistance Centers; provide in-person and virtual census training to libraries, Adult Basic Education staff, and non-profits; and distribute 50,000 census bookmarks to public libraries statewide.

SLS partnered with the Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State to provide a voter information webinar to public librarians statewide and to provide weekly email updates on the 2020 general election beginning in early September.

SLS partnered with the State Library of Connecticut to bring EXCITE training to Minnesota. Twenty-four library staff from six institutions attended an intensive three-day workshop in November, 2019 to learn how and when to collaborate as a team, how to design transformative programs and services in response to community needs, and practice presentation skills.



State Goal: Library services and policies promote barrier-free access
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$101,882.32
$135,922.74
$0.00
$237,805.06
Intent(s)
Improve the library workforce.
Continuing Education and Staff Development
Outreach & Partnerships
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Resources for Navigating the 2020 Census
Narrative: State Library Services partnered with the MN State Demographic Center to provide census support for public libraries statewide. This partnership included seven in-person and one virtual presentation about the 2020 census. During these presentations, attendees became familiar with the 2020 census forms, discussed how to respond to common questions about the census, and reviewed referral options for when patrons needed more support with Census completion than their library or organization can provide. While the primary audience of these presentations was library staff, representatives from other organizations directly supporting the public during the 2020 census were also welcome to register.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Combined in-person & virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 120
Number of presentations/performances administered: 8
Average number in attendance per session: 34


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: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 140
Academic Libraries: 90
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Supporting Voter Turnout in 2020
Narrative: State Library Services was joined by the Office of the Secretary of State for a special webinar about how libraries can support voter turnout in the 2020 election. Featuring Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon as a guest speaker, this webinar equipped librarians to engage patrons in the 2020 voting process, reviewed changes to the general election made in response to COVID-19, and provided an opportunity for library staff to get their questions about voting answered by experts. A recorded version of the webinar was distributed widely afterward.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 90
Number of presentations/performances administered: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 100


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: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 140
Academic Libraries: 90
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Building Capacity for Evaluation
Narrative: In daylong, hands-on workshops led by Ignite Afterschool, SLS staff, or partners from the Minnesota Department of Education, participants stepped through continuous quality improvement and evaluation processes to build skills for assessing quality practices, and for infusing evaluative thinking into their program planning. Participants brought 2-4 data sets from their own organizations, or an existing program idea, and worked in teams from their libraries in order to directly apply their learning. Participants left with tools and templates for setting in motion continuous improvement cycles at their libraries.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 320
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 17
Number of times program administered: 3


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: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 4570 NORTH VICTORIA STREET
City: SHOREVIEW
State: MN
Zip: 55126
Name: Rolf Olsen Center
Address: 807 Main St W
City: Onamia
State: MN
Zip: 56359
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 7
Agree: 4
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: 3
Agree: 8
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: 8
Agree: 3
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: 6
Agree: 5
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Whole Person Librarianship Workshop
Narrative: Two series of two half-day workshops, one targeting rural and the other targeting urban and suburban libraries, described scalable approaches to library-social work collaboration. The objectives were to improve library staff empathy and intercultural understanding, and provide tools for continuous improvement of public services to welcome all patrons into the library. Participants learned about social work concepts such as person-in-environment, cultural humility, and reflective practice, heard from a panel of practitioners about library-social work collaboration and potential community partners, before and during the pandemic and applied social work concepts to their work in library settings.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 180
Number of sessions in program: 2
Average number in attendance per session: 22
Number of times program administered: 2


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: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 140
Academic Libraries: 90
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 17
Special Libraries: 140
School Libraries: 982
Other: 1
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 15
Agree: 11
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: 14
Agree: 12
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 16
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: 15
Agree: 10
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Telling the Library's Story and Improving Services through Data
Narrative: State Library Services coordinated collection of public library data from 140 libraries and regional library systems. A robust set of indicators tracked library facilities, technology, services, programs, collections, staffing, community partnerships, income, expenditures, and other input and output measures. The report yielded statistical information useful to both public libraries and policymakers to plan and implement services that meet the needs of their communities. 

The 2019 Minnesota Public Library Annual Report (MPLAR) had a 99 percent response rate (two out of 140 library systems did not respond). No data elements were added or deleted for the 2019 annual report.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Planning & Evaluation
Mode: Retrospective
Format: In-house


Quantity
Number of evaluations and/or plans funded: 1
Number of funded evaluation and/or plans completed: 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: Yes
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: 138
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Question 1: I believe the planning and evaluation addresses library needs.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I am satisfied with the extent to which the plan or evaluation addresses library needs.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I believe the information from the plan or evaluation will be applied to address library needs.
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:
The COVID 19 pandemic highlighted the importance of strong communication channels between the state and libraries and between libraries. Libraries played a critical role in census and election efforts despite the changed circumstances. The shift to online and virtual was swift and successful. Over 250 individuals attended the census presentations. Open-ended feedback these participants provided was extremely positive; they appreciated the opportunity to walk step-by-step through census forms prior to the census opening date, and they benefited from group discussion about how to respond to difficult patron questions about the census. Public libraries were quick to volunteer as Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QACs). Out of the state’s 355 public library locations, 330 registered as QACs with an additional 15 academic library locations participating as well. In total, State Demographic Center recruited 389 QAC locations of all types; libraries represented 89% of this total. Even more impressive, in rural Minnesota, 98% of all QACs were libraries. Results from the 2019 survey showed the most significant increases over the previous year in meeting room use (up 25% statewide) and downloadable electronic materials (increase of 15% to 22%). Minnesota libraries experienced a drop in other usage measures, such as reference (decrease of 7%), visits (decrease of 3%), and registered users (decrease of 1%). In order to gauge the usability and usefulness of the MPLAR, State Library Services deployed two user surveys, one in December 2019 and one in April 2020. Eighty-seven public library directors and report filers responded to the surveys. They indicated that the annual report was most useful when speaking to library boards and government officials, and that their primary audience was mostly interested in data about the library’s public services, collections, and financial operations.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
To achieve better representation from greater Minnesota libraries, more events will be offered online only or with an online component. During the census and voter turnout project activities, rural libraries—which often lack the capacity to launch civic engagement initiatives independently—were especially involved and appreciated the easy-to-implement resources and information. They expressed deep pride in being able to serve their communities in this way. In future program planning, this rural community pride can be leveraged to engage more rural public libraries on a deeper and more sustained level. Given that one of the bright spots of library use in 2019 was meeting room usage, the 2020 report will need to offer libraries additional ways to show their community’s use of the library in the face of widespread building closures due to COVID-19. Feedback from the user surveys will lead to a major change in the layout of the data input screen for the 2020 report. The survey responses also help State Library Services to prioritize providing data products such as summaries and trend analyses.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Be flexible. Be patient. Partners are more important than ever. Public library state are well-positioned and eager to support civic engagement, whether through encouraging census participation, providing voter outreach, or promoting access to credible information resources. Rural public libraries, in particular, may be the only location in their communities where information about civic engagement responsibilities and opportunities is readily accessible. In addition, public libraries used data to be accountable to taxpayers and policymakers, tell their story, and make the case for improved services. Participants at workshops on building capacity were keen to build more evaluative thinking into their program planning, and were pleased to see that they could find value in data they already collect by regularly reflecting on how the data align with the intentions of their programming. The tools developed for assessing out-of-school time programs are transferrable especially to youth-oriented programs in libraries.
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:
Topical issues will be addressed.
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: voting, census, civic engagement