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G2S Project Code: 2020-TN-85257
State: Tennessee
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
Tennessee State Library & Archives

Project Director
Director Name: Lauri Thompson
Director Phone: 615-532-4639
Director Email: Lauri.Thompson@tn.gov
General Information
Title: Continuing Education for the Purposes of LSTA
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: The Continuing Education Program provided statewide training for library staff on a variety of service subjects and technology trends through in-person sessions and online streaming videos, webinars, and screen casting tutorials. This enhanced the ability of library staff to provide programs and services that meet the greatest needs in their communities.

State Goal: Goal 3. 21st century library services
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$38,954.78
$0.00
$0.00
$38,954.78
Intent(s)
Improve the library workforce.
Continuing Education and Staff Development
Library Skills
Activities
Activity Details
Title: LibGuides Subscription
Narrative: A subscription to LibGuides (1), purchased initially in the 2010 report year, was renewed. Some topics of training include: trustee information, public library management program, summer reading program, e-rate, and annual data collection.

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Digital


Quantity
Number of items digitized: 0
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 0
Number of physical items: 0
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 1
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 75
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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 288
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Question 1: I am satisfied that the resource is meeting library needs.
Strongly Agree: 17
Agree: 17
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: Applying the resource will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 14
Agree: 17
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 4
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Niche Academy Subscription
Narrative: Subscribed to Niche Academy (1) for the purpose of providing customized training modules for library staff and trustees.  It currently holds academies dedicated to core competencies for library staff, trustee certification, Supercharged Storytimes, and the Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL).

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Digital


Quantity
Number of items digitized: 0
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 0
Number of physical items: 0
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 1
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 123
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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 288
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Question 1: I am satisfied that the resource is meeting library needs.
Strongly Agree: 10
Agree: 4
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 7
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: Applying the resource will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 9
Agree: 10
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: WebJunction Subscription
Narrative: Purchased a WebJunction (1) subscription this year from OCLC to provide additional training opportunities for library staff statewide.

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

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: 1
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: Yes
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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 288
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Question 1: I am satisfied that the resource is meeting library needs.
Strongly Agree: 12
Agree: 16
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 4
Question 2: Applying the resource will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 15
Agree: 15
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 1
Activity Details
Title: Nationally known speaker workshop
Narrative:  This year, the training focus was on reopening libraries in the pandemic while keeping in mind the safety of the staff and community. With our speakers, Kathleen M. Hughes and Jamie Santoro, we had a single general event that was attended by 231 participants.

Evaluations were received by 19 of those attending the event.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 231
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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 288
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 6
Agree: 9
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 2
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 6
Agree: 10
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 2
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 6
Agree: 9
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 2
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 7
Agree: 7
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 2
Activity Details
Title: Adobe Connect Subscription
Narrative: A subscription to Adobe Connect (1) utilized as a platform to provide online webinars to public library staff  These webinars were a combination of vendor-led training for services that were currently provided through the State Library and Archives as well as staff created webinars for topics from children's services and data collection to grant monitoring training.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 136
Number of presentations/performances administered: 25
Average number in attendance per session: 37


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 288
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: STEM Training Workshop
Narrative:

Steve Spangler’s 5 Days of STEM provided 50 participants with the opportunity to try out some hands-on experiments to illustrate best practices, instructional strategies and high-level engagement techniques to help strengthen skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. The content was organized around 5 daily themes:

  • Test Tube Adventures (color and density), 
  • Electricity & Circuits (insulators, conductors, experimental design), 
  • Bubble Science (scientific method, mixtures, solutions), 
  • Water Magic (chemistry, environmental science, inquiry) 
  • Newton’s Antics (force and motion) 

Each participant received a workshop kit that included all of the tools and resources necessary to replicate the activities in their libraries.  Participants came away with a better understanding of the national STEM initiative and solid examples of how to better integrate elements of the scientific method and the design model into every aspect of their daily curriculum. Plus, the hands-on activities provided a powerful illustration of instructional strategies to better teach the scientific method, the inquiry model (guided inquiry to self-directed inquiry), experimental design, the failure model and more.


Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 180
Number of presentations/performances administered: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 50


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 288
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Reimagining Book Clubs
Narrative: An online event was provided on the topic of reimagining book clubs by Becky Spratford in order to provide ideas to both those libraries who provide book club events and those who would like to.  Emphasis was also on providing these events in a virtual setting.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 60
Number of presentations/performances administered: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 48


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 288
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
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:
The use of Niche Academy as a course management platform has allowed the Tennessee State Library & Archives to effectively train library trustees on their responsibilities to public libraries of all sizes through the Tennessee Trustee Certification Program. The result is an increase in informed library board members who can positively affect patrons’ attitudes toward the library and who are more engaged in the overall community of the library.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Having a training management system has allowed for increased learning opportunities for both our public library staffs and trustees on a variety of topics.
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: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: education, training, library staff