Improving the content of the statewide El Portal database package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing the Career Online High School program, and providing intensive training for all resources were the primary focuses for the year. 

The content of the Gale/Cengage resources was improved with the purchase of 22 ebook titles for children, including Spanish/English bilingual books.  One of the more popular Gale resources, Gale in Context: Elementary, was enhanced in March to include all K-5 Gale ebooks as well as the 22 new ebooks purchased by the State Library, all fully integrated and accessible.  This product enhancement was designed to increase access to resources and have a greater impact on user success, both in the classroom and online which was vital due to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We arranged and provided numerous training opportunities for libraries throughout the year, and especially in response to COVID-19 from October through June. We worked with all five vendors to arrange training sessions for the state.  These sessions covered various topics for the resources available as well as marketing advice and assistance.  Many sessions were provided to assist teachers, who are our primary statewide database users, with online learning strategies and integration into learning management systems.

Additionally, in partnership with the Arizona State Library, a special webpage was created for the Navajo Nation which spans the border of Arizona and New Mexico.  The webpage will be available in all fifty Navajo Chapter Houses and will provide direct access to El Portal resources on the New Mexico side of the nation.

Finally, on going tasks such as improving the awareness of El Portal through various promotional activities in order to increase usage of the services, including several local television and newspaper pieces, a special promotion of the Chilton resources in March, providing/arranging database training, producing and providing marketing materials (brochures, posters, and social media graphics), access issue resolution (http:/ to https:/ changes for instance), end user assistance, and Web site maintenance continue to require State Library public services staff expertise and attention throughout the year.

Career Online High School is an educational service now offered by Smart Horizons, which offers adults (19 plus years of age) the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and entry level career certificate at the same time. In this program offered by the New Mexico State Library, libraries receive support to offer one free full tuition scholarship in their communities, provided that the library can fund one tuition scholarship as a match.  

The goal of this new statewide library program is to bring non-traditional adult learners back into the educational system and prepare them for jobs in growing sectors of the economy. An additional plus for Career Online High School is that students receive the benefit of earning a career certificate and completing additional job preparation and training, in addition to earning a high school diploma.

The program was implemented in October.  Five libraries joined the program. The public website was created and added to El Portal.  Library staff training took place in November and student recruitment began in January.  Between January and October 2021, eighteen student scholarships were awarded and two of those students have completed the program, received their diplomas and a certificate in General Career Preparation.  Thirty-five students began the prerequisite course with twenty-one of those going on and three dropping out.  The average age of our students is 31 with the oldest age 50 and the youngest age 20.  The most popular career is General Career Preparation, indicating a desire to go on to post secondary school at their local community college.  Office Management, Home Care Professional, Commercial Driving, Child Care & Education, and Security Professional are the other career certification programs chosen by our students. Here are testimonials by the two students who have graduated:

"I wanted to finish high school because I want to better myself for my son. I gained allot of knowledge that I'll be using in future job or career. I can hopefully get a job taking care of animals and I plan on becoming a vet."

"I want to get my high school diploma so I could have more opportunities. I gained the confidence to know that I can do anything that I put my mind to. I am working at the Cracker Barrel now and thinking about my future plans. In the future I would like to go to school for culinary arts possibly. I would love to have my own bakery one day."

The Smart Horizons school district was recognized by Cognia, the national accreditation board, as a School of Distinction for 2021 and was recognized for effectively implementing high-quality instruction, showing consistent organizational effectiveness, maintaining a commitment to continuous improvement, and demonstrating energetic and sustained commitment to learners.

An attempt was made to recruit additional libraries in the early spring and in the autumn.  A special lunch and learn program was held in September and a NMLA conference program took place, but no additional libraries have applied to participate. Of those which have expressed interest, staff time (especially when libraries are overburdened due to lack of staff during the pandemic) and student funding are the primary obstacles.