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G2S Project Code: 2020-IL-85382
State: Illinois
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Jeremy Dunn
Director Phone: 312-747-4092
Director Email: jdunn@chipublib.org
General Information
Title: Radical Fit - Breaking Barriers in Style
State Project Code: 21-2034-PNG
Start Date: 07/01/2020
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: Chicago Public Library YOUMedia launched Breaking Barriers in Style - Radical Fit, a fashion-based program series.  This initiative featured fashion-making programs with a special focus on gender identity and equality.  The virtual programs featured amateur and expert designers providing tutorials that were made available through the library's YOUMedia YouTube page, 1200+ Take & Make kits that were distributed to the library's 81 branches across the city, virtual interviews, small group discussions, and a final celebratory fashion event in partnership with Chicago Park District's Young Cultural Stewards and Queering the Parks initiative.  This project provided educational opportunities, supported information fluency and lifelong learning; aligned with the federal LSTA priority to expand services for learning and access to information and education resources; and improved learners’ general knowledge and skills.

State Goal: Goal 2: Lifelong Learning.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$40,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$40,000.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Gender and Equity Professional Development Seminar
Narrative: In October of 2020, Sky Cubacub led a department-wide professional development session about Gender Equity at the Teen Services all-staff cluster meeting to prepare them for the upcoming Radical Fit program.

Teen library staff were surveyed after the presentation and responded positively. 
  • 100% learned something new from Sky’s presentation.
  • 89% felt confident about applying their learning about gender and equity in their branch.
  • 89% responded that they would seek more professional development resources on gender equity.
  • 94% responded that they would utilize library resources related to gender and equity.
Staff response was overwhelmingly positive: “I found it really helpful to learn about Sky's experiences, and I also learned a ton from their explanation of terms and how/why certain terms are/are not used. I will definitely be referencing resources like that and those listed at the end for help when working with teens.”

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 60
Number of presentations/performances administered: 50
Average number in attendance per session: 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: 6-12 years
13-17 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Indian
Asian
Black
Hispanic
Pacific
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: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: LGBTQIA + youth


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 400 SOUTH STATE STREET
City: CHICAGO
State: IL
Zip: 60605
Activity Details
Title: Radical Fit Video Tutorials + Take & Make Kits
Narrative: The Radical Fit video tutorial playlist on the YOUmedia YouTube channel is dedicated to teen fashion-making with a special focus on gender identity and equity. The Radical Fit video curriculum was developed in collaboration with lead program partner, Sky Cubacub of Rebirth Garments. The playlist contains tutorials that build skills in both traditional and experimental making techniques. Skills include basic sewing, how to use a serger and sewing machine, knitting, pattern-making, origami fashion, hair design, nail art, looming, mending, queer make-up art and more. Videos are available to the public 24 hours per day. Our teaching partners include designers, artists, activists and librarians from Chicago and across the country who uplift accessibility, sustainability, imagination, play and joy in their work. 

The Radical Fit initiative also provided 1,200 individual craft Take & Make kits, which were distributed to all 81 library branches in the Chicago Public Library system. The kits included all the supplies necessary to complete 7 unique craft projects which corresponded with tutorials on the Radical Fit playlist. The kits also included a queer resource zine created by activist and designer Sky Cubacub. 

The craft projects included: 
  • How to Hand-Sew a Mask with Sky 
  • How to Hand-Sew an “Ear-Saver” Headband with Sky
  • Decorative Embroidery with a YOUmedia Librarian 
  • Hand Sewing with Sew Crafty Studio
  • Darning for Fashion and Functionality with Emma Percy
  • Mending with Embroidery with Michelle Brooks 
  • Natural Dyeing with Kitchen Extras with Amy Taylor

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 11
Number of presentations/performances administered: 72
Average number in attendance per session: 191


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: 6-12 years
13-17 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Indian
Asian
Black
Hispanic
Pacific
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: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: LGBTQIA+ youth


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 400 SOUTH STATE STREET
City: CHICAGO
State: IL
Zip: 60605
Activity Details
Title: Speak On It: Radical Fit
Narrative: Speak On It: Radical Fit offered a four part live-recorded interview series with LGBTQIA+ creatives based in Chicago. The conversations included career development narratives, queer stories and advice for art and life. 

The series included: 

1. Fashion designer Sky Cubacub in conversation with activist Stephanie Skora
2. Musician SuperKnova interviewed by CPL librarian and Chicago rapper Roy Kinsey
3. Actor Jasmine Henri Jordan in conversation with performance artist Jenna Anast
4. Drag artist Garnet Williams interviewed by drag artist Lucy Stoole

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 30
Number of presentations/performances administered: 4
Average number in attendance per session: 66


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: 6-12 years
13-17 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Indian
Asian
Black
Hispanic
Pacific
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: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: LGBTQIA+ youth


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 400 SOUTH STATE STREET
City: CHICAGO
State: IL
Zip: 60605
Activity Details
Title: Queer Radical Fair
Narrative: Radical Fit, the Chicago Park District’s Queering the Parks (QTP) team, and Sky Cubacub of Rebirth Garments partnered to co-host a free craft and resource fair on August 12, 2021. The event, the Queer Radical Fair, featured drag performers, music, a fashion show, art making stations, COVID-19 vaccinations, HIV, and STI testing, and LGBTQIA+ accessible and culturally affirming resources. The fair was fully wheelchair accessible and included ASL interpreters. An estimate of 1000 attendees participated in the event between 3pm and 7pm.

Arts & crafts resources distributed at the fair: 60 handmade cloth face-masks, 90 Instax_mini Photographs, 32 Polaroid Pictures, 108 custom screen-printed t-shirts

Health, wellness & educational resources distributed at the fair: 25 local vendors, partners and service providers, 31 library cards issued to new card-holders, 50 binders and gaffs to queer youth, 250 lunches, 3 COVID-19 vaccinations, 6 honoraria to QTP youth committee members. 

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: In-person


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 240
Number of presentations/performances administered: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 1,000


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: 6-12 years
13-17 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Indian
Asian
Black
Hispanic
Pacific
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: Yes
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: LGBTQIA+ youth


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 400 SOUTH STATE STREET
City: CHICAGO
State: IL
Zip: 60605
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The library worked with 44 queer and BIPOC (black, Indigenous and people of color) artists and designers; created 76 fashion-making videos; video content was viewed +1,400 times in the US, Germany, and Australia; Sky Cubacub presented about gender equality at the teen services all-staff cluster meeting; 100% learned something new from Sky's presentation; 1,200+ popular take home kits were distributed to the 81 CPL branches throughout Chicago. Queer Radical Fair was developed in partnership with the Chicago Park District's Queering the Parks initiative. 30+ vendors and partner organizations participated.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Radical Fit videos essentially doubled the number of videos that the library's youth services department had on YouTube and supported a vital and accessible venue for our patrons during a worldwide pandemic. The popularity of the Take & Make kits also revealed that although the traditional model of in-person library services were unavailable, the projected helped to maintain a passive relationship with our teen patrons.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Since this project shifted to a virtual format, library staff realized that this could increase accessibility, but previous video content relied on auto-captioning provided by YouTube, which was often less accurate. For all 76 videos, staff ensured that the captioning was available and accurate. It was clear from the number of views that our content received, that content being created was relevant, but the virtual format proved that it was difficult to engage on a deeper level.
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: teen library, fashion, gender and equity