Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Welcoming Libraries Grant
Narrative: During this grant period, the Commission awarded nine (9) Welcoming Libraries Grants of $500 each to seven public libraries and two school libraries, for a total program budget of $4,500, to be spent on activities which improve equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in Idaho libraries and better serve the community’s underserved groups of children. Participating school and public libraries could choose one or more of the following five allowable grant activities: 1) conduct a community assessment to gain a better understanding of whom in their community is going underserved, 2) conduct a children’s collection diversity audit, 3) conduct a storytime diversity audit, 4) create or modify children’s programming to accommodate the needs of every user, and 5) improve the accessibility of the library’s physical and/or virtual space. All of these allowable grant activities, once conducted, resulted in the purchase of professional development training, library resources, specialty equipment, and/or books to address the gaps in the library’s services that became evident during these grant activities.
Per the grant terms, all library grantees were required to offer and participate in some type of professional development related to EDI topics of their choosing. Some examples included: trainings on understanding the broad and diverse types of disabilities and how they impact the way people use the library and its resources; trainings on how personal bias, background, and beliefs impact collection development, program planning, and library services; promotions/marketing; web accessibility and the art and science of creating alternative text; and how to conduct a diversity audit. The ICfL shared several free EDI-related trainings with the grantees through the agency’s Niche Academy site. Grantees could also use some of their grant funds to pay for EDI professional development.
Participating libraries were encouraged to work with at least one local partner to help them implement the grant activities. Partner examples include Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind, Coeur d’Alene Tribal Language Department, Panhandle Autism Society, Talk to Me Technologies, and the Green Apple Project.
In addition to the grant funds, the Commission provided an extensive EDI webpage full of curated resources from other state and local libraries across the country that are doing significant EDI work. Participating libraries frequently commented how useful this pooling of EDI resources was to their grant activities.
Some of the types of WLG activities offered this grant period included:
• Expansion of a sensory-friendly room at a library for therapy/program use as well as individual use.
• Creation of a diversity and inclusion book club and allyship pins to support LGBTQ+ students in the local high school.
• Creation of library signage in snchitsu'umshtsn, the language of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, to help tribal patrons locate library resources and feel more welcome in the public library.
• Creation of patron communication boards in ASL to improve communication between library staff and nonverbal patrons in the library and during outreach events (boards are movable).
• Windows and Mirrors Book Club where participants read a different Own Voices children’s book each month. The books feature diverse characters or subject matter and participants received a copy of the book to keep.
• Voiceover Spanish language translation and closed captions for a library’s virtual Kindergarten All-Star videos. The Kindergarten All-Star videos are a selection of nine videos that demonstrate core competencies of kindergarten readiness, including letter recognition, shape recognition, early STEM, writing, cutting with scissors, and peer-teacher interaction. They were previously only available in English.
• A review of a library’s Academic Behavioral Learning Expressions (A.B.L.E) Collection for children ages 0-18 with different abilities and challenges, with the goal of improving the representation of materials in their A.B.L.E collection that “mirror the experience” of youth with visual limitations in our community.
An indirect output of one Welcoming Libraries Grant this grant period was the coordination between Commission staff, regional tribal members, and a grantee to present a live webinar for the Commission’s Info to Go series titled “Looking for Mirrors in the Library: Collection Development to Support Indigenous Patrons” (April 19, 2021).
Examples of activity impact/feedback from this grant period include:
“What I like about the sensory friendly meeting room is that it gives the children I work with somewhere to go where they can play in a nice quiet atmosphere. The dim lights and soft color hues are calming for them. I work with children with developmental disabilities, including autism, and there are very limited places in the Lewiston Valley that I can take them to play or to do therapy.” - Charlene Ricard, Intervention Specialist working with Lewiston City Library
“Greatest success has been seeing student’s behavior change when using the sensory items and having understanding classroom discussions about disabilities.” – I.B. Perrine Elementary Library
“One of the projects we undertook was to have the students in the club create an "Ally" image which our public library then used to create buttons for all of our staff…that they could wear to show their support of our students who might not feel that they are a part of our CHS community (for any reason). We now see them all over school on every staff member! The kids comment on it when I go to classrooms. Our building administration said they were so happy about the buttons that they requested signs for classrooms. Our students have indicated that they now feel there are safe people in the building who are advocating for them. I feel we have honestly made a difference for a few students, and that this number will continue to grow.” – Coeur d’Alene High School Library
“I really enjoyed this grant and the way it has enabled me to learn and grow as a librarian and a supervisor. It has enabled me to make my library a more accessible and welcoming place that serves the needs of more and more demographics.” – Coeur d’Alene Public Library
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Combined physical & digital
Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 10
Number of software acquired: 1
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 200
Number of electronic materials acquired: 1
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 18
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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General
Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Ada Community Library
Address: 10664 W. Victory Rd
City: Boise
State: ID
Zip: 83709
Name: Coeur d'Alene High School, Coeur d'Alene School District #271
Address: 5530 N Fourth Street
City: Coeur d'Alene
State: ID
Zip: 83815
Name: COEUR D'ALENE PUBLIC
Address: 702 E FRONT AVE
City: COEUR D'ALENE
State: ID
Zip: 83814
Name: GLENNS FERRY PUBLIC
Address: 298 S LINCOLN
City: GLENNS FERRY
State: ID
Zip: 83623
Name: GOODING PUBLIC
Address: 306 FIFTH AVE W
City: GOODING
State: ID
Zip: 83330
Name: I.B. Perrine Elementary, Twin Falls School District #411
Address: 452 Caswell Avenue W
City: Twin Falls
State: ID
Zip: 83301
Name: LEWISTON CITY PUBLIC
Address: 428 THAIN RD
City: LEWISTON
State: ID
Zip: 83501
Name: MERIDIAN DISTRICT
Address: 1326 W CHERRY LN
City: MERIDIAN
State: ID
Zip: 83642
Name: NAMPA PUBLIC
Address: 101 11TH AVE S
City: NAMPA
State: ID
Zip: 83651
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
Activity Details
Title: Idaho Family Reading Week
Narrative: For 24 years, ICfL staff have provided resources to help public and school libraries celebrate Idaho Family Reading Week (FRW) each November and emphasize the importance of family reading. This event aims to draw underserved families into Idaho libraries, ensure they feel welcome in this third space, and encourage them to register for a library card. Library staff emphasize the importance of shared family reading and help activity participants become aware of the wide range of free, educational resources libraries have to offer families and their children. This program year, with the theme “Fun & Games,” support materials and activities focused on the importance of finding and making your own fun and games wherever you are – at home, in the library, online, or in a park. Participating libraries received four themed, newly released titles to add to their collections, 35-75 paperback books for their participants, as well as a plethora of digital content, ideas, and early literacy resources for each library to customize their FRW events. A new online component was developed and shared this program year to enable libraries to continue with FRW events online in response to continuing COVID-19 restrictions in the fall of 2020. The Commission contracted with the Salmon Public Library to create two activity videos about creating your own “Fun & Games” at home: the “Make a Marble Maze” for children ages 4-7 and the “Epic Marble Run” for children ages 8-10+ (see videos posted on the ICfL website).
During the grant period, 87 Idaho libraries registered their Idaho Family Reading Week events – 68 public libraries and 19 school libraries, a slight decrease from the prior grant period. While the Commission staff pivoted to create online content for FRW, many Idaho libraries, especially school libraries, were unable to participate and offer a FRW event this grant period due to restrictions, uncertainty, closures, staff availability, and many other COVID-related factors. A total of 9,427 individuals (children and parents/grandparents), 7,127 of which were children, were reported to have attended Idaho Family Reading Week events throughout the state this grant period. Participating libraries issued 76 new library cards during these events and distributed 7,127 books to participating children/families. The libraries that participated found it to be an impactful, helpful, and simple way to support the children and families in their area. They were excited to be able to offer educational and fun activities for families and children to do during this crisis. Not surprisingly, “Grab and Go” bags/kits were very popular for FRW this year. Since many libraries had to resort to grab and go bags only, with little to no in-person programming, the libraries had a harder time determining the numbers of participants served. While the numbers were slightly down, the impact was stronger and deeper for those who were served by this program. It meant a lot to both kids, families, and library staff members to be able to offer fun and games this year.
Through the activity evaluation, encouraging feedback was submitted from participating libraries:
“This was my favorite Idaho Family Reading Week of all time! I know it looked a lot different from years past and there were many challenges. Yet, this was such a positive and exciting experience. This was my 7th IFRW; this one seemed to have the most impact and generated the most excitement. The deep appreciation from families for this [event] was overwhelming! - 150 bags were claimed within 48 hours…This helped show people how easy and fun curbside is. This activity brought people to the library who did not have library cards and others who had never used curbside or who were hesitant to try it. COVID cases were skyrocketing right around the time of IFRW. People needed something positive...I received so many pictures, videos, and Facebook comments. I cannot overstate how positive this experience was in a difficult time.” – Coeur d’Alene Public Library
“In spite of current constraints, kids and parents were excited… [The following] parent email about her son's participation in the challenge was a highlight and summarizes why I do this with the students: ‘...thank you so much for pushing these challenges!! Our family loves them... not only does it keep him busy and motivated over breaks, but it also brings us closer as a family…”– Highlands Elementary Library
“The Family Reading Week resources provided by ICLF helped us offer free books to families during a dark time of school closures and confusing times for kids. By applying for the Family Reading Week resources, we were able to improve our library's services to the public by meeting new patrons and building relationships by offering meaningful activities to families.” – Lewiston City Library
“Everything from the books to the pre-created resources and videos provided by ICfL were tremendously helpful to help us put together a strong virtual and curbside program in an unpredictable time.” – Coeur d’Alene Public Library
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
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: 7,127
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: 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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General
Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Ada Community Library
Address: 10664 W. Victory Rd
City: Boise
State: ID
Zip: 83709
Name: AMERICAN FALLS DISTRICT
Address: 308 ROOSEVELT ST
City: AMERICAN FALLS
State: ID
Zip: 83211
Name: ARMORAL TUTTLE PUBLIC
Address: 301 N PLYMOUTH AVE
City: NEW PLYMOUTH
State: ID
Zip: 83655
Name: BENEWAH DISTRICT
Address: 4345 FOX RD
City: TENSED
State: ID
Zip: 83870
Name: BLACKFOOT PUBLIC
Address: 129 N BROADWAY
City: BLACKFOOT
State: ID
Zip: 83221
Name: Boise Public Library
Address: 715 S CAPITOL BLVD
City: BOISE
State: ID
Zip: 83702
Name: Boise School District #1
Address: 8169 W Victory Road
City: Boise
State: ID
Zip: 83709
Name: Bonneville Joint School District #93
Address: 3497 North Ammon Road
City: Idaho Falls
State: ID
Zip: 83401
Name: Boundary County School District #101
Address: 7188 Oak Street
City: Bonners Ferry
State: ID
Zip: 83805
Name: BUHL PUBLIC
Address: 215 BROADWAY N
City: BUHL
State: ID
Zip: 83316
Name: CALDWELL PUBLIC
Address: 1010 DEARBORN ST
City: CALDWELL
State: ID
Zip: 83605
Name: Caldwell School District #132
Address: 1502 Fillmore Street
City: Caldwell
State: ID
Zip: 83605
Name: CASCADE PUBLIC
Address: 105 N FRONT ST
City: CASCADE
State: ID
Zip: 83611
Name: CLEARWATER DISTRICT
Address: 204 WOOD ST
City: WEIPPE
State: ID
Zip: 83553
Name: Clearwater Memorial Public Library
Address: 402 Michigan Avenue
City: Orofino
State: ID
Zip: 83544
Name: Coeur d' Alene Tribe Early Childhood Learning Center
Address: 350 Anne Antelope Ave.
City: Plummer
State: ID
Zip: 83851
Name: COEUR D'ALENE PUBLIC
Address: 702 E FRONT AVE
City: COEUR D'ALENE
State: ID
Zip: 83814
Name: COMMUNITY LIBRARY NETWORK
Address: 8385 N GOVERNMENT WY
City: HAYDEN
State: ID
Zip: 83835
Name: EAST BONNER COUNTY DISTRICT
Address: 1407 CEDAR ST
City: SANDPOINT
State: ID
Zip: 83864
Name: EMMETT PUBLIC
Address: 275 S HAYES AVE
City: EMMETT
State: ID
Zip: 83617
Name: FREMONT COUNTY DISTRICT
Address: 925 MAIN
City: ASHTON
State: ID
Zip: 83420
Name: GARDEN VALLEY DISTRICT
Address: 85 OLD CROUCH RD
City: GARDEN VALLEY
State: ID
Zip: 83622
Name: GLENNS FERRY PUBLIC
Address: 298 S LINCOLN
City: GLENNS FERRY
State: ID
Zip: 83623
Name: GOODING PUBLIC
Address: 306 FIFTH AVE W
City: GOODING
State: ID
Zip: 83330
Name: GRANGEVILLE CENTENNIAL
Address: 215 W NORTH ST
City: GRANGEVILLE
State: ID
Zip: 83530
Name: Hagerman School District #233
Address: 150 Lake Street West
City: Hagerman
State: ID
Zip: 83332
Name: HANSEN DISTRICT
Address: 120 W MAPLE AVE
City: HANSEN
State: ID
Zip: 83334
Name: IDAHO FALLS PUBLIC
Address: 457 W BROADWAY
City: IDAHO FALLS
State: ID
Zip: 83402
Name: JEFFERSON COUNTY DISTRICT
Address: 623A N 3500 E
City: MENAN
State: ID
Zip: 83434
Name: KELLOGG PUBLIC
Address: 16 W MARKET AVE
City: KELLOGG
State: ID
Zip: 83837
Name: Lake Pend Oreille District #84
Address: 307 Southside School Road
City: Cocolalla
State: ID
Zip: 83813
Name: LATAH COUNTY DISTRICT
Address: 110 S JEFFERSON ST
City: MOSCOW
State: ID
Zip: 83843
Name: LEMHI COUNTY DISTRICT
Address: 204 MAIN ST
City: SALMON
State: ID
Zip: 83467
Name: LEWISTON CITY PUBLIC
Address: 428 THAIN RD
City: LEWISTON
State: ID
Zip: 83501
Name: MACKAY DISTRICT
Address: 320 CAPITOL AVE
City: MACKAY
State: ID
Zip: 83251
Name: Madison School District #321
Address: 60 West Main Street
City: Rexburg
State: ID
Zip: 83440
Name: Marsh Valley Joint School District #21
Address: 40 School Street
City: Arimo
State: ID
Zip: 83214
Name: MCCALL PUBLIC
Address: 218 E PARK ST
City: MCCALL
State: ID
Zip: 83638
Name: MIDDLETON PUBLIC
Address: 307 CORNELL STREET
City: MIDDLETON
State: ID
Zip: 83644
Name: MIDVALE DISTRICT
Address: 70 E BRIDGE ST
City: MIDVALE
State: ID
Zip: 83645
Name: NAMPA PUBLIC
Address: 101 11TH AVE S
City: NAMPA
State: ID
Zip: 83651
Name: OSBURN PUBLIC
Address: 921 MULLAN AVE
City: OSBURN
State: ID
Zip: 83849
Name: Payette Joint School District #371
Address: 20 North 12th Street
City: Payette
State: ID
Zip: 83661
Name: PLUMMER PUBLIC
Address: 800 D ST
City: PLUMMER
State: ID
Zip: 83851
Name: PORTNEUF DISTRICT
Address: 5210 STUART
City: CHUBBUCK
State: ID
Zip: 83202
Name: Potlatch School District #285
Address: 510 Elm Street
City: Potlatch
State: ID
Zip: 83855
Name: PRAIRIE-RIVER DISTRICT
Address: 103 N MAIN ST
City: LAPWAI
State: ID
Zip: 83540
Name: PRIEST LAKE DISTRICT
Address: 28769 HWY 57
City: PRIEST LAKE
State: ID
Zip: 83856
Name: ROCKLAND SCHOOL/COMMUNITY
Address: 321 E CENTER
City: ROCKLAND
State: ID
Zip: 83271
Name: Salmon River Joint School District #243
Address: 711 Ace's Street
City: Riggins
State: ID
Zip: 83549
Name: SHOSHONE PUBLIC
Address: 211 S RAIL ST W
City: SHOSHONE
State: ID
Zip: 83352
Name: SOUTH BANNOCK DISTRICT
Address: 18 N MAIN
City: DOWNEY
State: ID
Zip: 83234
Name: ST MARIES PUBLIC
Address: 822 COLLEGE AVE
City: ST MARIES
State: ID
Zip: 83861
Name: SUGAR SALEM SCHOOL/COMMUNITY
Address: 1 DIGGER DR
City: SUGAR CITY
State: ID
Zip: 83448
Name: TWIN FALLS PUBLIC
Address: 201 FOURTH AVE E
City: TWIN FALLS
State: ID
Zip: 83301
Name: Twin Falls School District #411
Address: 660 Park Avenue
City: Twin Falls
State: ID
Zip: 83301
Name: VALLEY OF THE TETONS DISTRICT
Address: 56 N MAIN
City: VICTOR
State: ID
Zip: 83455
Name: Vallivue District #139
Address: 5207 South Montana Avenue
City: Caldwell
State: ID
Zip: 83607
Name: West Ada School District #2
Address: 1303 E Central Drive
City: Meridian
State: ID
Zip: 83642
Name: WEST BONNER DISTRICT
Address: 118 MAIN ST
City: PRIEST RIVER
State: ID
Zip: 83856
Question 1: I am satisfied that the resource is meeting library needs.
Strongly Agree: 69
Agree: 16
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: Applying the resource will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 62
Agree: 20
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 4
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
