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G2S Project Code: 2020-CA-84858
State: California
Fiscal Year: 2020

Grantee
NORTHNET LIBRARY SYSTEM

Project Director
Director Name: Carol Frost
Director Phone: 350-349-5538
Director Email: frost@plpinfo.org

General Information
Title: Preparing to Respond & Recover Together
State Project Code: 40-9058
Start Date: 07/20/2020
End Date: 08/31/2021
Abstract: Preparing to Respond and Recover Together provided disaster preparedness coaching, mentorship and support to libraries in the NorthNet Library System and statewide. The project helped to create and build a culture of disaster and emergency preparedness, empowered libraries to prepare before another disaster strikes and encouraged highly valued peer-to-peer support. Project activities and outcomes were particularly valued during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result of the project activities, NLS strengthened a regionwide network of support to facilitate the sharing and utilization of lessons learned during COVID-19 and throughout a disastrous wildfire season. Ten diverse libraries participated in the preparedness training cohort and demonstrated the value of a streamlined approach to developing actionable plans that “go beyond the binder” and that will help libraries adapt to dynamic conditions. NLS member insights and tools created within the cohort training were captured at the project website LibraryRecovery.org.

State Goal: Goal 3: Inspire, Support, & Engage Communities

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$90,000.00

$0.00

$3,410.00

$93,410.00

Intent(s)
Improve library operations.
Library Infrastructure & Capacity
Disaster Preparedness

Activities

Activity Details
Title: Content Creation - Project Website new content
Narrative: Project staff and consultants added content related to disaster preparedness, response and recovery, and mental health supports was added to the project website: https://www.libraryrecovery.org/ They also added downloadable resource guides covering topics of Prepare, Respond and Recover. These guides were created under the guidance of the Project Advisory Team and project consultants, as well as with input provided by the project's Cohort participants.

In addition, we added new identified partners and contact information for these resources; added
two recorded sessions from Statewide meetings on Wildfire Response and Mental Health Supports; and a California Library Association recorded presentation on staff response to disaster recovery.

Intent: Improve library operations.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Digital

Quantity
Number of items digitized: 0
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 3
Number of physical items: 0
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 0
Number of plans/frameworks: 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

Public Libraries: 184
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

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: 21
Question 2: Applying the resource will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 7
Agree: 10
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 4
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Activity Details
Title: Cohort Consultations by Mentor Coaches
Narrative: Ten NLS member libraries participated in the Cohort training sessions. Over the course of the 4 months, participating teams completed disaster preparedness assignments to further their understanding and learning of how their organization was prepared to respond and recover from a disaster. Coaching consultations were provided to all teams between the online group sessions, enabling participants to finish the cohort training with a complete disaster plan. Cohort participant libraries received personalized guidance and coaching provided by NLS leadership, peer coaches, guest speakers and the project consultant, Common Knowledge.
Intent: Improve library operations.

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

Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 35
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 7

Partner Information

Activity Details
Title: Instruction Program –Informational Webinars
Narrative: We created three informational webinars and delivered them to a statewide audience during this grant period. The webinar topics were selected and developed under the guidance of the LSTA Project Advisory Team. We identified six subject experts from libraries across the state and invited them to participate on two of the webinars to share their experience and recommendations in the areas of wildfire response and recovery, and in post-disaster mental health supports for library staff and community members.

We also developed and delivered a presentation for the Annual CLA Conference on the topic of how library staff support their patrons and strengthen their communities after a disaster.
The Statewide Panel Presentations are archived on the project website:
https://www.libraryrecovery.org/post/supporting-mental-health-during-disaster-response-and-recovery
https://www.libraryrecovery.org/post/statewide-panel-shares-library-wildfire-preparedness-insights

Intent: Improve library operations.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 93
Number of sessions in program: 3
Average number in attendance per session: 88
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 184
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: 29
Agree: 23
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 3
Non-Response: 1
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 16
Agree: 37
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 4
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 19
Agree: 33
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 5
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 20
Agree: 33
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 4

Activity Details
Title: Instruction – Program – Cohort Training
Narrative: Ten NLS member libraries participated as the project Cohort in three 90-minute online training sessions and one online culminating session to share experiences, best practices and lessons learned regarding disaster preparedness and readiness. Over the course of four months, participating teams were asked to complete disaster preparedness assignments in between sessions: conducting background research, writing draft plans, strengthening relationships with institutional and community partners, building library culture, and engaging their library communities in planning discussions (using conversation guides created during the current phase of the project).
Intent: Improve library operations.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 120
Number of sessions in program: 4
Average number in attendance per session: 27
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

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: DEL NORTE COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT
Address: 190 PRICE MALL
City: CRESCENT CITY
State: CA
Zip: 95531
Name: MARIN COUNTY FREE LIBRARY
Address: 3501 CIVIC CENTER DR, RM 414
City: SAN RAFAEL
State: CA
Zip: 94903
Name: NAPA COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 580 COOMBS ST.
City: NAPA
State: CA
Zip: 94559
Name: ROSEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 225 TAYLOR ST.
City: ROSEVILLE
State: CA
Zip: 95678
Name: SAN RAFAEL PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1100 E ST.
City: SAN RAFAEL
State: CA
Zip: 94901
Name: SHASTA PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Address: 1100 PARKVIEW
City: REDDING
State: CA
Zip: 96001
Name: SOLANO COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 1150 KENTUCKY ST.
City: FAIRFIELD
State: CA
Zip: 94533
Name: SONOMA COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 211 E STREET
City: SANTA ROSA
State: CA
Zip: 95404
Name: TEHAMA COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 645 MADISON ST.
City: RED BLUFF
State: CA
Zip: 96080
Name: YOLO COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 226 BUCKEYE ST.
City: WOODLAND
State: CA
Zip: 95695
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 9
Agree: 9
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: 4
Agree: 12
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 4
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 1
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 6
Agree: 13
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 7
Agree: 10
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 4
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Cohort participants (10 NLS member libraries) reported establishing new contacts within their organizations and now working as partners in developing and/or updating their library disaster preparedness documents. As a result of this disaster preparedness work together, librarians reported being included in on-going emergency response leadership meetings for the larger community (city or county). A “Disaster Buddy” system was developed and used for NLS member libraries to network and connect library directors and key staff with others who can offer assistance, support, relief, resources, etc. when one or more “buddies” is in the midst of or recovering from a disaster. NorthNet libraries have made good use of the Buddy contacts to provide resources to systems who have lost facilities or have long-term closures due to wildfire. The peer-to-peer support and outreach has proven to be very beneficial over the past year of an extended wildfire season and during the pandemic. Buddy contact lists will be updated annually to ensure contact information is current.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Libraries who participated in the Cohort to draft or update their disaster preparedness documents are now better informed in case of emergency and have made disaster preparedness and response a culture within their organization. Library staff meeting agendas now regularly include updates on disaster preparedness, new community partners as fellow emergency responders, and the library’s role in disaster recovery for the community. The Disaster Buddy contact network will continue to be maintained among NLS member libraries. Updates on Buddy success stories will be shared at NLS Annual and Mid-Year Administrative Council meetings, as well as within the Executive Committee agendas. Recovering Together themes will be included on all NLS governing body agendas to support the work and commitment of NLS member libraries to disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
In spite of the timing of this project occurring during a global pandemic and throughout an unprecedented wildfire season that impacted many of the NorthNet members, libraries were committed to the work and investment of time to review and then draft and/or update disaster preparedness documents of their organization in order to become better informed and better prepared to respond in a disaster. In the interest of better serving their staff and their community, especially those most vulnerable in times of disaster, the cohort libraries invested hours of time together and individually to create valuable and viable documented disaster preparedness protocols for their organization. The coaching and consultation sessions provided to each cohort library by the Project Team Consultants were reported as greatly beneficial in guiding libraries through the process of developing or updating their disaster planning documents and procedures. Comments provided in the Outcome Surveys were particularly insightful. Wildfire Preparedness Panel If we are more prepared, we can find the ways that we can still offer services to the public in times of crisis. We will be more confident and resilient. We are short-staffed, so the only way we can provide effective services in an emergency is to plan ahead. Planning now could make it possible to offer services that we wouldn't otherwise be ready to do. It will make the system stronger, more resourceful and more connected. In short, everything a community library should be. I am going to get in touch with our local Fire Safety Council and county Emergency prep. team. The collaboration aspect discussed by the panel was very helpful and is something that is always the focus, but can be developed even more. Mental Health Supports Panel Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public. Because it will help me better plan future programs to help educate our community, patrons, and staff with mental health topics. What stood out for you from the Mental Health Supports workshop? Real examples of programs that I can use in my own library. Often webinars are just people talking about their expertise with no real-world examples. This one had so many I can use!! It just felt good to know we're not alone in what we're going through. The presenter from Paradise especially conveyed that feeling and I found that helpful.
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 project website, https://www.libraryrecovery.org/, will continue to be supported and maintained by NLS, with content updated by NLS directors who have volunteered to continue building on the valuable resources created under this grant project. The NLS “Buddy System” will also continue as a network of communication and support among NLS member libraries. Director and staff contact information is shared among buddy teams throughout NorthNet. Libraries are encouraged to reach out to their “buddies” in advance, during or after emergencies to offer assistance, relief, resources, and/or as means of communication.
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 NarrativeThis project is an exemplary project because it is codifying the iterative process that so many of our libraries are going through for a disaster, whether it’s a fire, flood, earthquake, or pandemic, and, as a by-product, it is making staff feel like they have a voice, have a resource, and are more prepared for ‘the next one,’ in whatever form that will take. It has also provided a bridge of resource sharing with libraries in other regions of the state.

Project Tags: Disaster preparedness, Training