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G2S Project Code: 2020-CA-84881
State: California
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
EL DORADO COUNTY LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Carolyn Brooks
Director Phone: 530-391-2837
Director Email: carolyn.brooks@edcgov.us
General Information
Title: Create El Dorado
State Project Code: 40-9092
Start Date: 12/09/2020
End Date: 08/31/2021
Abstract: Building on a recent collaboration with the El Dorado Community Foundation that  revealed creative arts programming and resources are scarce in the community, the library offered creative programming for adults.  Community surveys focused on several creative arts interests: needlework, fabric arts, jewelry making, music, and decorative plants.  Working with the Chamber of Commerce, volunteers were identified to teach introductory classes.  Participants picked up supply kits at the library branch indicated on their online registration form.  Virtual classes were held on Zoom with experts teaching and library staff moderating the events. 

The original target group was adults, but interest expressed by younger people led to the expansion of programming to those 12 and up. The decision to conduct all classes virtually was driven by pandemic guidelines, but the fact that they were offered online, paired with the hotspots the library offers to the community, enabled isolated people to interact with their community during this program.

State Goal: Goal 3: Inspire, Support, & Engage Communities
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$8,000.00
$0.00
$839.00
$8,839.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Health & Wellness
Personal/Family health & wellness
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Create El Dorado Craft Kits
Narrative: The Create El Dorado program was a three-month long program that featured creative activities taught by local arts and crafts experts.  El Dorado County Library purchased supplies for each arts program and created take home kits for participants who registered for the programs  All classes were held on Zoom. Kits were created for the following classes: create your own terrarium, no-sew hat pincushion, no-sew ornaments, planting succulents, needle felting, ukulele 101, cross stitch your heart, create your own bracelet, and Mandala rock painting. 

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of items digitized: 0
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 0
Number of physical items: 232
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: 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: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 1
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Create El Dorado Program Series
Narrative: The Create El Dorado program was a three-month long virtual program series that featured creative activities taught by local business owners of crafts supplies stores.  Class participants were registered through the library then picked up kits prepared by the library that were tailored to the program they registered for.  Library staff facilitated the Zoom class, with a local arts expert giving the live virtual classes.  The following classes were offered: create your own terrarium, no-sew hat pincushion, no-sew ornaments, planting succulents, needle felting, ukulele 101, cross stitch your heart, create your own bracelet, and Mandala rock painting.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 10
Average number in attendance per session: 8
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: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 1
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 31
Agree: 10
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 30
Agree: 11
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 31
Agree: 7
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 4
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 32
Agree: 10
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: 34
Agree: 8
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 1
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Every one who participated in Create El Dorado learned about creative opportunities around them, at both their library and local businesses, while learning how to use new tools and materials necessary to expand their creative endeavors. They learned that their library can connect them not only to books, but to new experiences that they can build on for lifetime. Because of the expanded age range of twelve to adult, and also the virtual aspect of the program, participants were able to find a diverse group of people that shared their interest in these creative activities. No single age, gender, economic class, or culture stood out in representation. Connecting with a broad range of small businesses expanded the library's visibility in our communities and also possibilities for later partnerships in the future.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
When surveyed informally, participants expressed enthusiasm about continuing programs like Create El Dorado at their library. The participants suggested creating an exhibit for the next El Dorado County Fair, titled "The Library Creates," highlighting the arts and crafts they learned through the library. Future library programming will include opportunities for hybrid attendance. Our library system covers a large area, and virtual programming has erased the barrier of distance. We also will be expanding the age range target for some future programming. Building bridges between generations is yet another impact the library can have on our community.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Programming on Zoom allowed participants from all over the county to participate in the same class.The library tracked which branches the participants usually visited, so we were able to to inform branches which programs were most popular with their patrons, information staff could use for future in-house programming. The library also learned that no community partnership is small. Connecting with a broad range of businesses in the community expanded the library's visibility in our communities and also the possibilities for future collaboration.
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:
Instead of all participants focusing on the same project via classes, the library will establish needle-craft clubs where participants are able to work on and share their individual projects.
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: Adult Programming, Crafts, creativity