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G2S Project Code: 2020-NC-85046
State: North Carolina
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
AVERY-MITCHELL-YANCEY REGIONAL LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Amber Westall Briggs
Director Phone: 828-682-4476
Director Email: director@amyregionallibrary.org
General Information
Title: Taking the Library Outside
State Project Code: NC-21-02
Start Date: 07/01/2020
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: The "Take the Library Outside" project ignites the ability to engage key community issues through books while also offering safe outdoor opportunities to learn, move, and engage for all ages and all abilities. Through this project and by purchasing an audio component to the Riverside Story Trail, we bring the library outside and encourage social, emotional, gross motor development, and interactive literacy for all ages. Accessibility was the driver for how this project was developed. The Riverside Story Trail will be a catalyst for developing collaborative, outdoor programming that involves nature, literacy, and movement.
State Goal: Expanding Access
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$15,000.00
$0.00
$9,654.00
$24,654.00
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Literacy
Systems & Technologies
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Audio Stations
Narrative: Riverside Park is a heavily used park in the town of Spruce Pine. By adding audio stations to the Riverside Story Trail, the library is creating a long-standing Story Trail with permanent book stations with audio, allowing full accessibility for those with visual or literacy challenges as well as promoting inclusion with English and Spanish translations. This Story Trail encourages people to get outside, re-establish connections with nature, to move bodies in healthy, active ways, and to increase literacy opportunities in an open, friendly environment that about all else, prioritizes accessibility.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 17
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: 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: Yes
Name: Riverside Park
Address: 503 E. Tappan St.
City: Spruce Pine
State: NC
Zip: 28777
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The outputs we expected were set-up of the final phase of the Story Trail with the audio stations, involving community partners in that process, and setting up our first story with full access to the audio stations. Currently, due to Covid-19, we have not been able to implement any outside programming except the Blue Ridge Partnership’s “Walk to Remember” which is a silent walk for those mothers who have lost children. School groups and preschool groups have attended private tours/walks of the Story Trail. In a three-week period of the book Molly Lou Melon, with the Dolly Parton recording, we had 526 visitors who pressed either the English or Spanish version of the story. The outcome that we most wanted to achieve which is community collaboration and shared ownership of a community program happened!
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Due to the time spent on finishing this project for the community, the core group of partners are developing plans on a regular basis as well as broadening fundraising efforts and creating more inclusive opportunities for the Story Trail. This partnership/community collaboration is an example for the entire region of what can happen when agencies, nonprofits, and government work together to meet similar goals. Due to the success of this project, two other county/town governments and other agencies/nonprofits would like a story trail.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Share ownership of a community project. When libraries lead by sharing the spotlight, it creates a dynamic movement within a community, where everyone feels a part of the success Take copious notes. When a project like this is so successful, others will want one too, and your library needs to know how to share that information and knowledge.
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: Digital Inclusion, literacy