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G2S Project Code: 2020-OK-85743
State: Oklahoma
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES

Project Director
Director Name: Tara McCleod
Director Phone: 405-522-3317
Director Email: tara.mccleod@libraries.ok.gov
General Information
Title: CARES Act: Digital Inclusion Grants
State Project Code: CARESDI
Start Date: 04/21/2020
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: The CARES Act: Digital Inclusions Grants allowed the Oklahoma Department of Libraries to address and reduce gaps in digital inclusion in Oklahoma, particularly in rural locations. Grant applications were open to public libraries, tribal libraries, museums and literacy councils. Grants were approved on a ranking system that incorporated poverty rates, unemployment and broadband availability and grant amounts were based upon the applicant's operating budget. 
State Goal: Goal 1: Information Access
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$297,546.00
$0.00
$0.00
$297,546.00
Intent(s)
Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.
Systems & Technologies
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Digital inclusion grants to libraries, museums, and literacy organizations
Narrative: Grants were awarded to fifty-one (51) public libraries, tribal libraries, museums and literacy organizations. Applicants included the specific items they wished to purchase to reduce the digital inclusion gap in their communities. Items purchased included hotspots, tablets, laptops, wi-fi extenders, Chromebooks, desktop computers, and data plans to increase the public library's offerings to Internet and technology.
Intent: Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.

Activity: Content
Mode: Other
Format: Combined physical & digital
Other: Items acquired included hotspots and data plans, laptops, software, tablets, iPads, WiFi extenders, monitors, webcams, protective cases for tablets and iPads, wireless keyboards, wireless mice, computers, Chromebooks, WiFi routers, WiFi access points, Ozo


Quantity


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: General


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: ANADARKO COMMUNITY LIBRARY
Address: 215 W BROADWAY
City: ANADARKO
State: OK
Zip: 73005
Name: ANTLERS PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 104 S.E. 2ND STREET
City: ANTLERS
State: OK
Zip: 74523
Name: APACHE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 111 E. EVANS
City: APACHE
State: OK
Zip: 73006
Name: ARCADIA HISTORICAL AND PRESERVATION SOCIETY
Address: PO BOX 134
City: ARCADIA
State: OK
Zip: 73007
Name: BARNSDALL - ETHEL BRIGGS MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Address: 410 S FIFTH
City: BARNSDALL
State: OK
Zip: 74002
Name: BARTLESVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 600 S JOHNSTONE
City: BARTLESVILLE
State: OK
Zip: 74003
Name: BARTLESVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY LITERACY SERVICES
Address: 600 S. JOHNSTONE
City: BARTLESVILLE
State: OK
Zip: 74003
Name: BEAVER COUNTY PIONEER LIBRARY
Address: 201 DOUGLAS AVE
City: BEAVER
State: OK
Zip: 73932
Name: BLACKWELL PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 123 WEST PADON
City: BLACKWELL
State: OK
Zip: 74631
Name: CLEVELAND - JAY C BYERS MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Address: 215 E. WICHITA
City: CLEVELAND
State: OK
Zip: 74020
Name: DUNCAN AREA LITERACY COUNCIL
Address: 2300 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
City: DUNCAN
State: OK
Zip: 73533
Name: EDMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM
Address: 431 S BLVD
City: EDMOND
State: OK
Zip: 73034
Name: EL RENO CARNEGIE LIBRARY
Address: 215 E WADE
City: EL RENO
State: OK
Zip: 73036
Name: ELK CITY CARNEGIE LIBRARY
Address: 221 WEST BROADWAY AVE
City: ELK CITY
State: OK
Zip: 73644
Name: FAIRVIEW CITY LIBRARY
Address: 115 S. 6TH
City: FAIRVIEW
State: OK
Zip: 73737
Name: GRANDFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 101 W 2ND
City: GRANDFIELD
State: OK
Zip: 73546
Name: GREAT PLAINS LITERACY COUNCIL
Address: 421 N. HUDSON ST.
City: ALTUS
State: OK
Zip: 73521
Name: HYDRO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 530 N BROADWAY
City: HYDRO
State: OK
Zip: 73048
Name: IOWA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA LIBRARY
Address: 335588 E 750 RD
City: PERKINS
State: OK
Zip: 74059
Name: KAW CITY - J.A. WALKER MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Address: 900 MORGAN SQUARE
City: KAW CITY
State: OK
Zip: 74641
Name: KAW NATION
Address: 698 GRANDVIEW
City: KAW CITY
State: OK
Zip: 74641
Name: LANGLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: PO BOX 655
City: LANGLEY
State: OK
Zip: 74350
Name: LAVERNE DELPHIAN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 122 W. JANE JAYROE BLVD
City: LAVERNE
State: OK
Zip: 73848
Name: LAWTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 110 S W 4TH ST
City: LAWTON
State: OK
Zip: 73501
Name: LITERACY COUNCIL OF LEFLORE COUNTY
Address: 408 DEWEY AVE.
City: POTEAU
State: OK
Zip: 74953
Name: LITERACY LINK
Address: 8143 E. RENO AVE.
City: MIDWEST CITY
State: OK
Zip: 73110
Name: MAYSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 506 WILLIAMS ST
City: MAYSVILLE
State: OK
Zip: 73057
Name: MIAMI PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 200 N MAIN
City: MIAMI
State: OK
Zip: 74354
Name: MIAMI PUBLIC LIBRARY LITERACY SERVICES
Address: 200 N. MAIN ST.
City: MIAMI
State: OK
Zip: 74354
Name: MOORELAND - BEYOND THE PAGES
Address: 223 S. MAIN
City: MOORELAND
State: OK
Zip: 73852
Name: MUSTANG PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1201 N. MUSTANG RD.
City: MUSTANG
State: OK
Zip: 73064
Name: NEWKIRK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 116 N MAPLE AVE
City: NEWKIRK
State: OK
Zip: 74647
Name: NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA LITERACY COUNCIL
Address: 1500 W MAIN ST.
City: WOODWARD
State: OK
Zip: 73801
Name: OIC OF OKLAHOMA COUNTY
Address: 3033 N. WALNUT ST.
City: OKLAHOMA CITY
State: OK
Zip: 73105
Name: OKEMAH PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 301 SOUTH 2ND
City: OKEMAH
State: OK
Zip: 74859
Name: OKMULGEE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 218 S OKMULGEE
City: OKMULGEE
State: OK
Zip: 74447
Name: OTTAWA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Address: 13 SOUTH 69A
City: MIAMI
State: OK
Zip: 74354
Name: PAWHUSKA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1801 LYNN AVENUE
City: PAWHUSKA
State: OK
Zip: 74056
Name: PIEDMONT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1129 STOUT STREET NW
City: PIEDMONT
State: OK
Zip: 73078
Name: PONTOTOC COUNTY LITERACY COALITION
Address: 124 S. RENNIE ST.
City: ADA
State: OK
Zip: 74820
Name: RINGLING - GLEASON MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Address: 101 E Main ST
City: RINGLING
State: OK
Zip: 73456
Name: SAYRE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 113 E POPLAR
City: SAYRE
State: OK
Zip: 73662
Name: SEMINOLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 424 N MAIN
City: SEMINOLE
State: OK
Zip: 74868
Name: SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 601 RAILWAY EXPRESS
City: ARDMORE
State: OK
Zip: 73401
Name: SOUTHERN PRAIRIE LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 421 N. HUDSON
City: ALTUS
State: OK
Zip: 73521
Name: TRYON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 25 S MAIN ST
City: TRYON
State: OK
Zip: 74875
Name: TULSA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
Address: 560 N MAYBELLE AVE
City: TULSA
State: OK
Zip: 74127
Name: TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 400 CIVIC CENTER
City: TULSA
State: OK
Zip: 74103
Name: WOODWARD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1500 W MAIN
City: WOODWARD
State: OK
Zip: 73801
Name: YUKON - MABEL C. FRY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1200 LAKESHORE DRIVE
City: YUKON
State: OK
Zip: 73099
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
With the Digital Inclusion Grants, libraries in Oklahoma were able to lessen the impacts of the digital divide more so than usual. Libraries (public and tribal) were able to offer hotspot lending, extend their Wi-Fi reach outside of their buildings, purchase laptops and iPads to increase social distancing of users within the library, and upgrade their videoconferencing capabilities. Library users were able to attend recertification classes for professional development, attend telehealth appointments and online meetings, complete education courses, and simply stay in touch with family and friends. Thousands of library users were impacted in a myriad of ways. One example comes from the Tulsa City-County Library System, who was able expand their Wi-Fi to their parking lots. From September 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021, there were 96,720 sessions on the parking lot access points alone. Another library system, Southern Oklahoma Library System, was able to purchase items to create a digital bookmobile for use in their most rural communities. The Digital Bookmobile offered the ability to apply for a library card and use a computer to access the Internet. Literacy organizations were able to purchase hotspots and laptops to continue their literacy tutoring and ESL classes. Without access to these grants, it is likely these programs would not have been able to continue and likely never recovered from the pandemic. Teachers were able to maintain consistent and uninterrupted instructional contact with their students. Museums were also able to continue their mission due to the Digital Inclusion grants. One example is the Tulsa Children's Museum, who used their grant funds to purchase Ozobots and iPads. Through a partnership with the YMCA of Greater Tulsa, the museum was able to continue their outreach series, "Coding Science," to underrepresented 3rd to 5th graders. The Tulsa Children's Museum gathered all the needed materials for the program and delivered the materials to the YMCA. Then, Discovery Lab Educators from the museum taught the classes virtually, reaching 71 children. The museum plans to continue using the technology with other camps and outreaches to underserved communities.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
It is clear that libraries are a vital resource for communities, no matter their size. After seeing the impact of increased connectivity in their communities, several libraries were able to continue their hotspot lending service with other funds once the grant cycle ended.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
A number of the digital inclusion grants were delayed due to device shortages. The delays ultimately limited the number of potential people impacted and the amount of statistics we could record before the grant period ended. A significant lesson learned from the pandemic is that libraries need to continue to move to a proactive, rather than a reactive, mindset. If these items had been available sooner or even before the pandemic began, it would have lessened the amount of stress that all communities felt when the world suddenly became virtual.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
No
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 NarrativeNorthwest Oklahoma Literacy Council was offering two free adult ESL night classes (Beginning English and Intermediate English) and one free ESL adult conversation class at the time of the lockdown in early March 2020. They moved both of the ESL classes online within two weeks after the lockdown, but their technology at the time was woefully inadequate for delivering effective instruction virtually. They used the grant funds to purchase iPads and iPad accessories along with hot spots with unlimited data for three instructors. This enabled Northwest Oklahoma Literacy Council to continue their services during the pandemic and to serve their students safely and effectively. The Intermediate English instructor shared, "What I like best about our virtual classroom now is that there is a lot of interaction among my students. When we are connected on Zoom, I can talk to them individually, and it almost feels like a real classroom. I have learned how to be a good moderator and let each of the students participate in our lessons. When they can't be there for my live class because of their work or their kids, I use the iPad to video my lectures and power points, and then I post the video on YouTube. Even my students who have moved away to other states are able to "attend" my class this way. From my little classroom in Oklahoma, I am teaching students in North Dakota! Since the Internet Connection at my home is not reliable, until I got the hotspot, I was having to go to my classroom at school at night so that I could use the school's internet. With the hotspot/wi-fi connection, I can now do my virtual class at home, and that is so convenient and much safer for me." Linda shared, "Receiving the CARES grant money enabled us to resume our most important adult ESL services. We had to close our Conversation Class completely in March 2020 because we could not use the public library or any other public space as our meeting place. But after we received the hot spots/wi-fi connection and iPad, our instructor was able to resume the class virtually at her home. The iPads have been invaluable also to our night instructors as they get better and better and providing an effective, interactive classroom." Due to this grant, 56 adult ESL students were able to continue their program through the pandemic.
Project Tags: digital inclusion, CARES Act, technology