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G2S Project Code: 2020-AL-84780
State: Alabama
Fiscal Year: 2020

Grantee
Alabama Public Library Service

Project Director
Director Name: Nancy C. Pack
Director Phone: (334) 213-3902
Director Email: npack@apls.state.al.us

General Information
Title: CARES Act: Broadband
State Project Code: AL
Start Date: 04/21/2020
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: A CARES Act grant was issued to the Alabama Supercomputer Authority (ASA) to expand their Library Broadband and WiFi Initiative. A total of $150,000 was awarded for this project. ASA provides broadband and WiFi services to 141 public libraries in 55 counties around the state. This is approximately 82% of the state. See Additional Materials for a listing of libraries. The CARES Act funds were used to expand services to 27 libraries in the folowing counties, Baldwin, Bibb, Bullock, Chambers, Choctaw, Clarke, Cleburne, Colbert, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marengo, Marshall, Mobile, St. Clair, Sumter, Tallapoosa, Walker, and Washington. The populations served served by these libraries ranges from 718 to 372,433. Specific library information is in the Activities section.
State Goal: Information Access

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$150,000.00

$0.00

$150,000.00

Intent(s)
Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.
Broadband adoption
Systems & Technologies

Activities
Activity Details
Title: WiFi Equipment
Narrative: 16 WiFi access points and controllers were purchased and installed in the libraries. Internet and firewall services were provided.
Intent: Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 16
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 0
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

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: BAY MINETTE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 205 WEST SECOND STREET
City: BAY MINETTE
State: AL
Zip: 36507
Name: BOAZ PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 404 THOMAS AVE.
City: BOAZ
State: AL
Zip: 35957
Name: CARL ELLIOTT REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 98 18TH STREET EAST
City: JASPER
State: AL
Zip: 35501
Name: CHEAHA REGIONAL LIBRARY
Address: 935 COLEMAN STREET
City: HEFLIN
State: AL
Zip: 36264
Name: CHICKASAW - INA PULLEN SMALLWOOD MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Address: 224 GRANT STREET
City: CHICKASAW
State: AL
Zip: 36611
Name: CHOCTAW COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 124 NORTH ACADEMY AVENUE
City: BUTLER
State: AL
Zip: 36904
Name: GADSDEN - ETOWAH COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 254 COLLEGE STREET
City: GADSDEN
State: AL
Zip: 35901
Name: HOKES BLUFF PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 3310 ALFORDS BEND ROAD
City: HOKES BLUFF
State: AL
Zip: 35903
Name: HORSESHOE BEND REGIONAL LIBRARY
Address: 207 NORTH WEST STREET
City: DADEVILLE
State: AL
Zip: 36853
Name: JACKSON - WHITE SMITH MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Address: 213 COLLEGE AVENUE
City: JACKSON
State: AL
Zip: 36545
Name: LAWRENCE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 401 COLLEGE STREET
City: MOULTON
State: AL
Zip: 35650
Name: LEIGHTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 8740 MAIN STREET
City: LEIGHTON
State: AL
Zip: 35646
Name: LIVINGSTON - RUBY PICKENS TARTT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 206 MONROE ST.
City: LIVINGSTON
State: AL
Zip: 35470
Name: MARENGO COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 210 NORTH SHILOH STREET
City: LINDEN
State: AL
Zip: 36748
Name: MOBILE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 701 GOVERNMENT STREET
City: MOBILE
State: AL
Zip: 36602
Name: ODENVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 200 ALABAMA STREET
City: ODENVILLE
State: AL
Zip: 35120
Name: RAINBOW CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 3702 RAINBOW DRIVE
City: RAINBOW CITY
State: AL
Zip: 35906
Name: RED BAY - WEATHERFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 307 4TH AVENUE SOUTH
City: RED BAY
State: AL
Zip: 35582
Name: ROGERSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 74 BANK STREET
City: ROGERSVILLE
State: AL
Zip: 35652
Name: SARDIS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1310 CHURCH STREET
City: SARDIS CITY
State: AL
Zip: 35956
Name: SULLIGENT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 514 ELM STREET
City: SULLIGENT
State: AL
Zip: 35586
Name: UNION SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 103 NORTH PRAIRIE STREET
City: UNION SPRINGS
State: AL
Zip: 36089
Name: VALLEY - H. GRADY BRADSHAW-CHAMBERS COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 3419 20TH AVENUE
City: VALLEY
State: AL
Zip: 36854
Name: WASHINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 14102 ST. STEPHENS AVENUE
City: CHATOM
State: AL
Zip: 36518
Name: WEST BLOCTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 62 WALTER OWENS DRIVE
City: WEST BLOCTON
State: AL
Zip: 35184
Name: WOODVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 26 VENSON STREET
City: WOODVILLE
State: AL
Zip: 35776
Name: YORK - HIGHTOWER MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Address: 602 2ND AVENUE
City: YORK
State: AL
Zip: 36925
Question 1: I am satisfied that the resource is meeting library needs.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: Applying the resource will help improve library services to the public.
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:
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, it felt like the whole world shifted. As we watched it move across Europe and head to the U.S., it was like watching a tidal wave approach and there was nowhere to hide. The Alabama pandemic began in March 2020. By then, COVID was already in the surrounding states. Our agency shut down for six weeks and all staff went on telework. The Governor declared a State of Emergency and issued the first Safer at Home Order. A statewide mask mandate went into effect. Out in the field, public libraries were closing their doors and offering curbside service and virtual programming. Schools closed and parents became substitute teachers. ZOOM became the prevalent form of virtual meetings and classes. When our CARES Act allocation was received, we decided to split it between PPE supplies for libraries (see "CARES Act: PPE Supplies" project) and expanded broadband. These coincided with the funding priorities as they were intended to "prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, including to expand digital network access, purchase internet accessible devices, and provide technical support services".
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
While not unprecedented (i.e. Spanish Flu of 1918), COVID-19 is certainly one for the history books. By September 30, 2021, there had been 27 supplements issued of the original Emergency Order regarding COVID-19 by the Governor’s Office. This is a strong indication of how fast the pandemic situation was changing. As the pandemic continues and the virus mutates into numerous variations, regular disinfecting and social distancing have become a way of life. In Alabama, the school year started differently depending on where you live. Some cities opened schools to in-person classes, some continued with virtual, and others offered a hybrid approach. The apprehension grew as students were contracting the Delta variant. Up until then, the majority of cases were adults. There are families who do not have internet access at home. They rely heavily on their public libraries to offer computer access as well as WiFi access in their parking lot after hours.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the strong need statewide for better technological infrastructure and connectivity. There's nothing quite like finding out that your virtual access is limited until it's all you have available. The Alabama Supercomputer Authority (ASA) was already in the midst of a broadband upgrade for schools and libraries when the pandemic hit. This was the main reason why we chose to put a portion of our CARES Act funds toward broadband and WiFi. As stated above, patrons rely heavily on their public libraries to offer computer access as well as WiFi access after hours.
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: No
Exemplary Narrative

Project Tags: COVID-19, Pandemic Response, Broadband