View Project

G2S Project Code: 2020-ID-84921
State: Idaho
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
Idaho Commission for Libraries

Project Director
Director Name: Tammy Hawley-House
Director Phone: 208-334-2150
Director Email: tammy.hawleyhouse@libraries.idaho.gov
General Information
Title: IDEA
State Project Code: 450
Start Date: 10/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: In 2020, during the COVID pandemic and in response to the growing need for electronic materials, the ICfL embarked on a quest to find a way to supplement e-book and e-audio materials already available in public and school libraries. With the feedback of an Advisory Committee and after investigating several service models, the ICfL chose to contract with OverDrive to create a K-12 focused statewide collection, available for free to school districts/libraries and to public libraries with existing OverDrive service. These materials are also available to 280,000 Idahoans living outside of a public library service area. This new service is called the Idaho Digital E-book Alliance (IDEA).

Over the current report period, the ICfL has leveraged funding from LSTA, the CARES Act, and funding from a partnership with the Idaho STEM Action Center to improve IDEA holdings.
State Goal: Idaho State Goal 2: Support the role of libraries in preparing Idahoans to be college and career ready.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$102,253.15
$0.00
$20,000.00
$122,253.15
Intent(s)
Improve users' formal education.
Education
Literacy
Activities
Activity Details
Title: IDEA Collection
Narrative:
During the grant period, the ICfL began the collection by purchasing e-books and e-audio titles for the IDEA. In addition to the use of CARES funds, LSTA funds were used to purchase 2,372 e-books and e-audio titles, primarily targeted at K-12 readers. The Idaho STEM Action Center also contributed funds for a STEM-specific materials collection, the Curiosity Collection. The ICfL staff held numerous webinars and trainings for school library and public library staff, while facilitating sign-ups for participation through OverDrive. The Idaho State Librarian attended numerous regional School Superintendent meetings to inform and answer questions about the new service. In addition, ICfL staff have attended several virtual conferences, providing information and making staff available to help guide school staff as part of the sign-up process. During the grant period, 58 school districts or private schools and 108 public libraries and their branches have joined the alliance, and the collection has achieved almost 20,000 circulations. 

The ICfL used CARES Act funds to purchase additional e-books and e-audio titles, which will be reported in a separate Project/Activity report for this grant period.

Intent: Improve users' formal education.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Digital


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: 0
Number of electronic materials acquired: 2,372
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 108
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 58
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:

Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:

Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Use of an Advisory Committee to help shape the new program was essential for robust participation. Seeking user feedback in the ideation stage created better outcomes.
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:
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 NarrativeSupplementing existing e-book and e-audio collections throughout the state, given the budget allotted, required careful planning and user input. By exploring numerous options, this service was crafted with the potential to connect all Idahoans to thousands of e-books and e-audio titles as part of the alliance.
Project Tags: IDEA, e-book, e-audio