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G2S Project Code: 2020-MO-84701
State: Missouri
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
OZARK REGIONAL LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Michelle Swane
Director Phone: 573-546-2615
Director Email: mswane@ozarkregional.org
General Information
Title: Tails and Tales from the Ozarks: Lakes, Creeks, and Ponds
State Project Code: 2021-LFL0-SLP20-048
Start Date: 02/01/2021
End Date: 08/15/2021
Abstract: Ozark Regional Library held an eight week summer reading program for children up to eighteen years of age. Tails and Tales from the Ozarks: Lakes, Creeks, and Ponds emphasized folklore and how to reimagine those tales in the local environment to celebrate learning, the region, and the library's related resources. The Library collaborated with ecologists, field biologists, state park officials, Missouri Department of Conservation agents, and art teachers to present programs on pollinators, local wild edible plants, Missouri's endangered animals, shadow puppetry, nature embroidery, and various theme-related story times. Project staff also developed nontraditional library materials such as outdoor backpack kits, microscope kits, and shadow puppet theaters. 
State Goal: Target Library and Information Services
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$8,000.00
$0.00
$640.82
$8,640.82
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Literacy
Reading Program (Summer Reading)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Content Acquisition
Narrative: The Ozark Regional Library added ninety-three print materials and seven audio/visual materials to the library collection. The new print materials circulated eighty-two times and the a/v materials circulated one time during the grant period. 
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

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: 93
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 7


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: Rural
For what age groups: 0-5 years
6-12 years
13-17 years
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: 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: OZARK REGIONAL LIBRARY
Address: 402 N MAIN ST
City: IRONTON
State: MO
Zip: 63650
Activity Details
Title: Instructional Programs
Narrative: The Ozarks Regional Library held thirty-one programs with a total attendance of 392. Programs included themed story times at all four branches, stop motion animation for teens, nature embroidery, and teen book box. 
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 31
Average number in attendance per session: 13
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: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: OZARK REGIONAL LIBRARY
Address: 402 N MAIN ST
City: IRONTON
State: MO
Zip: 63650
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 47
Agree: 12
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 3
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 40
Agree: 20
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: 31
Agree: 23
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 8
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 31
Agree: 29
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 30
Agree: 24
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 7
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Educational Presentations
Narrative: The Ozark Regional Library held thirteen educational presentations during the grant period with a total attendance of 451. Patrons were able to enjoy shadow puppet shows, Heart Pelt Stories from the Missouri Department of Conservation, Pollinators Galore with the US Forest Service, Granny's Home Remedies with the Missouri Department of Conservation, Weave Your Story from the Missouri State Parks, and Eulenspiegel professional puppet group. The library partnered with a local school district to hold the shadow puppet shows during the summer school session. 
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: In-person


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 60
Number of presentations/performances administered: 13
Average number in attendance per session: 35


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: 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: 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: OZARK REGIONAL LIBRARY
Address: 402 N MAIN ST
City: IRONTON
State: MO
Zip: 63650
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Several homeschool families attended summer events and encouraged project staff to promote to local homeschooling groups as the science and nature programs were not only fun and educational, but could also help homeschool kids obtain credit hours. The library had patrons attend the Edible Hike program who had never utilized the library services before. Additionally, the most circulated print material for the summer was the "Foraging the Ozarks" field guide.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
By reaching out to local homeschool groups, the library potentially reaches a new audience. Patrons attending the Edible Hike program learned the library offers resources that could be useful for them beyond books as well as gaining new patrons.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Previous summer library project managers suggested avoiding age labels to avoid excluding participants just outside the suggested age range. After a summer of avoiding age ranges, some patrons were curious what the age targets were for each program. For future projects the library will use terms such as "best for ages 2-6" to give patrons an idea of the appropriateness of the content but not to seem exclusive. Librarians notices several participants in the library program had young babies. Since the program was designed for pre-k, those moms may have felt left out and didn't return. Creating a baby corner filled with sensory items and age appropriate books for future story times will be a good solution.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
No
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: Yes
Exemplary NarrativeOzark Regional Library was able to take the national theme and incorporate it to the local resources in such a way to benefit participants of all ages. The library used unique programs and presenters to reach a wide audience throughout the summer library program.
Project Tags: