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G2S Project Code: 2020-OK-85602
State: Oklahoma
Fiscal Year: 2020

Grantee
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES

Project Director
Director Name: Leslie Gelders
Director Phone: 405-522-3242
Director Email: leslie.gelders@libraries.ok.gov

General Information
Title: Health Literacy
State Project Code: LIT-HE
Start Date: 10/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: The 2020 preview of the United Health Foundation report listed Oklahoma in 46th place for the health of its citizens. The state also ranked 45th for life expectancy and 49th for the rate of exercise and physical activity. In response to these and other failing health scores, the Oklahoma Department of Libraries partnered with local libraries to provide health literacy education, programming, and resources to communities throughout the state.
State Goal: Goal 3: Lifelong Learning

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$223,295.26

$0.00

$223,295.26

Intent(s)
Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their personal or family health & wellness.
Personal/Family health & wellness
Adult Literacy

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Health literacy grants to libraries and literacy programs
Narrative:

Twenty-six libraries and literacy programs received LSTA-funded grants to initiate or expand health and wellness efforts for adult learners, at-risk populations, children, teens, adults, seniors, and families.

Each grantee researched information from the State Department of Health to identify one or more critical health issues in their county. Proposals were written to address these health concerns. Examples of some of the key health issues included lack of physical exercises, low consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, obesity, and diabetes. Library programs and resources addressed these issues by offering a wide variety of presentations and resources including healthier eating options, exercise options, mental health and stress, CPR training, and understanding health challenges such as Alzheimer's. Some of the sites placed iPads in nursing homes so residents could communicate with family members during pandemic lock downs.

Live presentations were held at the library, in library parking lots, and at local parks. Virtual programming was essential due to library closures and pandemic fears. An estimated 30,000 additional views were reported on grantee websites where virtual programming was available. This number is in addition to the numbers reported in the Activity Abstract section as no feedback was provided.

Intent: Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their personal or family health & wellness.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Combined in-person & virtual

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 1,039
Average number in attendance per session: 19
Number of times program administered: 1

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: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
Rural
For what age groups: All Ages
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
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: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: No

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: ADA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 124 S. RENNIE
City: ADA
State: OK
Zip: 74820
Name: BARTLESVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY LITERACY SERVICES
Address: 600 S. JOHNSTONE
City: BARTLESVILLE
State: OK
Zip: 74003
Name: BLANCHARD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 205 NE 10th
City: Blanchard
State: OK
Zip: 73010
Name: CHECOTAH - JIM LUCAS-CHECOTAH PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 626 W Gentry ST
City: Checotah
State: OK
Zip: 74426
Name: CHICKASHA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 527 IOWA AVENUE
City: CHICKASHA
State: OK
Zip: 73018
Name: COMMUNITY LITERACY CENTERS INC.
Address: 5131 N. Classen Suite 205
City: Oklahoma City
State: OK
Zip: 73118
Name: CREEK COUNTY LITERACY PROGRAM
Address: 15 N. POPLAR ST.
City: SAPULPA
State: OK
Zip: 74066
Name: ENID-PUBLIC LIBRARY OF ENID AND GARFIELD CO
Address: 120 W. MAINE
City: ENID
State: OK
Zip: 73701
Name: FRIENDS OF ELGIN COMMUNITY LIBRARY
Address: 108 Thoma DR
City: Elgin
State: OK
Zip: 73538
Name: GREAT PLAINS LITERACY COUNCIL
Address: 421 N. HUDSON ST.
City: ALTUS
State: OK
Zip: 73521
Name: LAWTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 110 S W 4TH ST
City: LAWTON
State: OK
Zip: 73501
Name: MAYSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 506 WILLIAMS ST
City: MAYSVILLE
State: OK
Zip: 73057
Name: MCLOUD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 133 N Main
City: McLoud
State: OK
Zip: 74851
Name: MIAMI PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 200 N MAIN
City: MIAMI
State: OK
Zip: 74354
Name: MOORE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 225 S HOWARD
City: MOORE
State: OK
Zip: 73160
Name: MUSKOGEE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 801 W Okmulgee
City: Muskogee
State: OK
Zip: 74401
Name: MUSTANG PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1201 N. MUSTANG RD.
City: MUSTANG
State: OK
Zip: 73064
Name: NOBLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 204 N 5th
City: Noble
State: OK
Zip: 73068
Name: NORMAN PUBLIC LIBRARY CENTRAL
Address: 103 W Acres ST
City: Norman
State: OK
Zip: 73069
Name: NORMAN PUBLIC LIBRARY EAST
Address: 3051 E Alameda
City: Norman
State: OK
Zip: 73071
Name: NORMAN PUBLIC LIBRARY WEST
Address: 300 Norman Center CT
City: Norman
State: OK
Zip: 73072
Name: OIC OF OKLAHOMA COUNTY
Address: 3033 N. WALNUT ST.
City: OKLAHOMA CITY
State: OK
Zip: 73105
Name: OKLAHOMA CITY - SOUTHWEST OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 2201 SW 134th
City: Oklahoma City
State: OK
Zip: 73170
Name: PAULS VALLEY-NORA SPARKS WARREN MEM LIBRARY
Address: 210 N WILLOW ST.
City: PAULS VALLEY
State: OK
Zip: 73075
Name: PIEDMONT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1129 STOUT STREET NW
City: PIEDMONT
State: OK
Zip: 73078
Name: Pioneer Library System Foundation
Address: 300 Norman Center Ct
City: Norman
State: OK
Zip: 73072
Name: PURCELL PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 919 N 9th ST
City: Purcell
State: OK
Zip: 73080
Name: RINGLING - GLEASON MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Address: 101 E Main ST
City: RINGLING
State: OK
Zip: 73456
Name: SHAWNEE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 101 N Philadelphia
City: Shawnee
State: OK
Zip: 74801
Name: SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 601 RAILWAY EXPRESS
City: ARDMORE
State: OK
Zip: 73401
Name: STILLWATER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1107 S. DUCK
City: STILLWATER
State: OK
Zip: 74074
Name: TECUMSEH PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 114 N Broadway
City: Tecumseh
State: OK
Zip: 74873
Name: YUKON - MABEL C. FRY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1200 LAKESHORE DRIVE
City: YUKON
State: OK
Zip: 73099
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: 0
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: 0
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: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Each of the 26 health literacy sites reported impressive outcomes and included comments from participants. Some of the biggest success stories included living pain-free through yoga classes, losing weight and vanquishing stress through outdoor exercise classes, and creating lasting relationships through the Women's Wellness Challenge in Piedmont. From a small January program at the library to learn ways to keep those New Year's Resolutions, the challenge has continued to a group of 400 women, who are working together and encouraging each other to be their best, healthier selves. They've formed walking and running groups as well as a tennis group and a biking club. These women pool their funds to meet at a local gym and pay an instructor for classes. And it all started at the library through a health literacy grant from ODL and IMLS. As part of the health literacy grant, funded sites were required to find local partners. The collaborations proved essential and provided such things as free presenters, StoryWalk installations, in-kind supplies and materials, signage publicity, referrals, and even fencing and a plow.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
As mentioned earlier in this report, Oklahoma has unacceptable health rankings. Public libraries and their partners worked hard to provide resources, activities, classes, and presentations to community members of all ages and at all educational levels. While library activities were extremely important and reached thousands of Oklahomans, the following email may be the best illustration of the significance of ODL’s health literacy initiative. Email forward on June 30, 2021 from the Elgin Community Library from a local mother: "So proud of Lily. Last night she and a few friends were jumping on the trampoline when one of the little girls started having a seizure. Lily cleared the girls from the trampoline sending my daughter in to get me. By the time I got there, Lily had laid the child down in the recovery position sitting beside her talking calmly to the child as well as the other children. I asked her where she learned what to do for seizures and she reminded me that a few weeks ago Elgin Library offered a CPR and first aid course. Thank you to our wonderful community for providing that training for Lily. I am a nurse so I did check her neuros and reflexes and notified her parents. The girl is okay. All's well that ends well. Great Job Lily! And a special thanks to Elgin Library for their community programs teaching our youth these very special skills."
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
ODL encouraged participating libraries and literacy programs to be creative in addressing the health and wellness needs of their communities, especially during COVID-19. For some, the idea of participating in health literacy was daunting. Many programs were not sure what health literacy meant or how a library program could make a difference. The Oklahoma Department of Libraries' project lead officer was available to work with grantees to help develop local plans. Once grantees began to understand the possibilities, they developed interesting projects. The scope and diversity of local efforts met a variety of community needs and served children, teens, adults, seniors, adult learners, English language learners, and families. Grant sites regularly communicated with each other to get ideas and exchange information and posted regularly to the ODL health literacy Facebook site. There is a learning curve for libraries to understand that health literacy activities can be fun and rewarding. Given technical assistance and the opportunity to network with each other, local libraries can become sought after partners in community health and wellness efforts. Libraries have always been places to find credible health information, but health literacy grants helped libraries offer innovative, interesting, and fun ways to address critical health needs and to collaborate with non-traditional partners. These partnerships with health departments, county extension services, hospitals, grocery stores, and other organizations were key to the success of both local and statewide health literacy efforts. The importance and relevance of the health literacy project at state and community levels resulted in strong participation in live and virtual programs during the many challenges of the ongoing pandemic.
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: Yes
Exemplary Narrative

Project Tags: health literacy, literacy, health