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G2S Project Code: 2020-AZ-85087
State: Arizona
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
CHANDLER PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Jean Reynolds
Director Phone: 480-782-2751
Director Email: jean.reynolds@chandleraz.gov
General Information
Title: Building Bridges, Collections, and New Media Skills: Chandler Library and Chandler Museum Production Studio Partnership
State Project Code: 2020-0260-02
Start Date: 05/08/2020
End Date: 09/03/2021
Abstract: The goal of the project was to record oral histories from Chandler's African American community in partnership with the Chandler Museum. The partnership added new history to the Museum's collection, enhanced connections into the Black community, and help equip the Makery's production studio at the Library for future programming. Funds were used to purchase audio visual hardware and software, hire an interviewer, and transcription services. Community members benefit through the preservation of new Museum collections, more access to media creation resources at the Library, and by active, personal participation in helping the Museum and Library to expand diversity and inclusion initiatives.
State Goal: Informal Education
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$16,822.00
$0.00
$43,519.61
$60,341.61
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to participate in their community.
History
Systems & Technologies
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Building Bridges Oral History Interviews
Narrative: Members of Chandler's African-American community were interviewed one-on-one and their histories recorded for the project. The oral histories can be accessed at https://chandlerpedia.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CHANDLERPE/pages/1067418486/Building+Bridges+Oral+History+Project
Intent: Improve users’ ability to participate in their community.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 90
Number of sessions in program: 11
Average number in attendance per session: 2
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: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: 26-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Black
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Chandler Museum
Address: 300 S. Chandler Village Drive
City: Chandler
State: AZ
Zip: 85226
Name: CHANDLER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 22 SOUTH DELAWARE
City: CHANDLER
State: AZ
Zip: 85225
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 7
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 7
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 7
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 2
Agree: 3
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 4
Agree: 3
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Recording and Transcribing Oral Histories
Narrative: Library staff created 11 oral history recordings and 11 transcripts for the participants. They enhanced the learning resource of the website Chandlerpedia.org by adding new publicly accessible interviews. This information is also connected to the Library catalog. 
Intent: Improve users’ ability to participate in their community.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Combined physical & digital


Quantity
Number of items digitized: 11
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 11
Number of physical items: 11
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 1
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: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: 26-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Black
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Chandler Museum
Address: 300 S. Chandler Village Drive
City: Chandler
State: AZ
Zip: 85226
Name: CHANDLER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 22 SOUTH DELAWARE
City: CHANDLER
State: AZ
Zip: 85225
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
We were able to interview 11 participants to provide oral histories to add to the Museum’s collection. We received positive feedback from interview participants. One participant commented: "By sharing my living, working and community experiences [I have] a sense of "pride" that can be preserved and shared at the City of Chandler Museum.... I appreciate being a part of history itself and sharing my "truth" about my families [sic] experiences in Chandler, AZ." The interviews can be found on Chandlerpedia, which is also linked to the Library's catalog. The weblink is https:// chandlerpedia.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CHANDLERPE/pages/1067418486/ Building+Bridges+Oral+History+Project This project was the first public use of The Makery and the first use of all the tools purchased. All participants mentioned to staff the importance of sharing their stories and being given a space to speak. All participants had people they encouraged to participate in this project. All participants asked if this project would continue. Their stories added immensely to the Museum’s collection. It built positive relationships for the Library and Museum for future programming. In addition, we can now provide a free Library space for the Museum to undertake new oral history initiatives in the future. As with most of the LSTA projects funded this past fiscal year, Covid greatly impacted our original plans for the collaborative oral history project. We were not able to hold in-person kick off activities. Due to the limitations in Library operations and social distancing guidelines, it was difficult to create the proposed number of interviews. We were not able to use volunteers for support. We also needed to move the interviews from the designed studio space into a larger classroom setting of The Makery. In response to Covid, we hired an interviewer, and a transcription service.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The relationship developed with the community members who participated, as well as the Museum, will help bring more awareness to the Chandler Library’s The Makery. It also showed how willing people were to overcome the pandemic and all the current events in 2020 to speak about their experiences. This project allowed the Library and Museum staff to reach out to our community and include voices that are not normally heard. The challenge of re-thinking original plans and implementing a project successfully will help us as we look ahead for new programs, especially when we need to remain flexible as we continue to navigate the unknowns of the public health situation.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
It was beneficial to have audio visual supplies that are mobile. The original intent was to be able to move the supplies to Museum events or have recording capabilities outside our buildings. This enabled us to follow social distancing guidelines and easily move to a larger room with in The Makery to make this work. As much as oral histories are often left unedited, there were times where children interrupted due to this new room, so having an editing software was important to filter out background noise such as a HEPA filter. Staff learning and sharing these basic skills of sound recording, has enabled staff to create trainings for the public on how to do basic editing in The Makery Studio.
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:
Library staff will continue to oversee future programming in the Makery Studio space, which will include recording, video production, etc, but at this time will not be partnering specifically with the Museum to continue the targeted oral history project. The Museum may continue the oral history project with their staff, and use the Makery Studio for those purposes.
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 exemplified community engagement and partnership despite the pandemic. Library staff used the tools purchased with LSTA funds to accomplish multiple goals. Because of Building Bridges, underserved voices were heard; library and museum collections became more diverse and inclusive; new media skills were learned; and a stronger library/museum partnership was forged.
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