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G2S Project Code: 2020-AL-85760
State: Alabama
Fiscal Year: 2020

Grantee
Alabama Public Library Service

Project Director
Director Name: Nancy C. Pack
Director Phone: (334) 213-3902
Director Email: npack@apls.state.al.us

General Information
Title: Youth and Family
State Project Code: AL
Start Date: 10/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: Youth and Family grants were issued to eight public libraries in the following counties: Coffee, Dallas, Etowah, Jackson, Lauderdale, Limestone, Shelby, and Washington. The populations served by these libraries ranges from 9,776 to 98,915. Specific library information is in the Activities section. The grants provided funds for the libraries to expand their programming opportunities for youth and their families.
State Goal: Lifelong Learning

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$105,937.00

$0.00

$26,484.00

$132,421.00

Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
After-school activities
Programming & Event Planning

Activities

Activity Details
Title: "Get Out of Town" Materials
Narrative: 95 books and 161 e-materials were purchased and added to the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library's travel collection. Five Oculus Quest VR headsets, six headphones, one router, five memory cards, five 3D pens, one GoPro Max waterproof camera, one GoPro tripod, 3D printer filament, and 13 headset travel apps were purchased and used for "Get Out of Town" programs.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 24
Number of software acquired: 13
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 95
Number of electronic materials acquired: 161
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0

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

Activity Details
Title: "Get Out of Town" Programs
Narrative: Five "Get Out of Town" with an attendance of 130 participants were held in the library and the community. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the number of times the VR headsets could be used due to the library being closed for a time. The library expects more usage in the future by patrons of all ages.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 0
Number of presentations/performances administered: 5
Average number in attendance per session: 26

Partner Information

Activity Details
Title: "The More You Read -- the More You Know!" Materials
Narrative: 554 books were purchased and added to the Selma-Dallas County Public Library's youth collection and used for the library's "The More You Read--the More You Know!" programs. Seven Dell PCs were purchased and installed for parents to use while their children participate in the program offerings.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 7
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 554
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0

Partner Information

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: Rural
For what age groups: 0-5 years
6-12 years
13-17 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
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: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: SELMA-DALLAS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1103 SELMA AVENUE
City: SELMA
State: AL
Zip: 36703

Activity Details
Title: "The More You Read -- the More You Know!" Programs
Narrative: 26 "The More You Read--the More You Know!" programs with an attendance of 521 participants were held in the Selma-Dallas County Public Library. The goal of the program series was to increase awareness of the importance of the library learning experience through books, discoveries, and selected electronic resources.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

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

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 0
Number of presentations/performances administered: 26
Average number in attendance per session: 20

Partner Information

Activity Details
Title: Family Materials
Narrative: 707 print materials, 85 a/v materials, and 237 e-materials on a variety of subjects geared toward families were purchased and added to the libraries' collections. In addition, one projector, one screen, one scanner, and one laser cutter were purchased and installed. The materials and equipment were used during the programs at the libraries for families in their communities.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 4
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 707
Number of electronic materials acquired: 237
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 85

Partner Information

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: ALABASTER - ALBERT L. SCOTT LIBRARY
Address: 100 9TH STREET N.W.
City: ALABASTER
State: AL
Zip: 35007
Name: ATHENS-LIMESTONE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 405 EAST SOUTH STREET
City: ATHENS
State: AL
Zip: 35611
Name: ELBA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 406 SIMMONS STREET
City: ELBA
State: AL
Zip: 36323
Name: SCOTTSBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1002 SOUTH BROAD STREET
City: SCOTTSBORO
State: AL
Zip: 35768
Name: WASHINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 14102 ST. STEPHENS AVENUE
City: CHATOM
State: AL
Zip: 36518

Activity Details
Title: Family Programs
Narrative: 157programs with an attendance of 2.035participants were held at the libraries. The programs were geared towardyouth of all ages and their families. Topics included STEM, life skills, retirement, careers, health, GED prep, ESL learning, CPR,First Aid, art, creative writing, music, and others. The ongoing COVID-19pandemic forced the libraries to postpone some of their program offerings.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Combined in-person & virtual

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 0
Number of presentations/performances administered: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 0

Partner Information

Activity Details
Title: "The Charlie Cart Project" Materials
Narrative: 153 cookbooks, one pizza grilling set, 11 cutting boards, two juicers, two silicone baking cups, 10 measuring cups, three cheesecake pans, two funnel cake pans, four muffin pans, six round cake pans, one garlic press, one cheese grater, four loaf cake pans, two pressure cookers, one juice maker, one rolling cart, two bread pans, two toaster ovens, two can openers, two popcorn makers, one slow cooker, one electric grill, one hand mixer, one blender, oven mitts, dish detergent, hand soap, disposable gloves,hairnets, utensils, and other related supplies were purchased for use during cooking programs. In addition, one video camera and magnetic whiteboard were purchased.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 119
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 153
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0

Partner Information

Activity Details
Title: "The Charlie Cart Project" Programs
Narrative:

14 cooking classes with 2,217 participants were held (in-personand virtual).

Although the original purpose of "The Charlie CartProject" was to educate at-risk young adults and special needs adults onhow to purchase, prepare, and create healthy meals, it soon became available tofamilies as well. The project helpedcultivate applicable life skills such as reading (recipes), basic math(financial literacy), and kitchen safety and cleanliness (sanitation) throughin-person and virtual monthly cooking classes. Participants planned and prepared cost-efficient and healthy meals forthemselves. Lessons included developinghealthy alternatives to snacks and creating nutritious meals from Dollar Treeingredients.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Combined in-person & virtual

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 0
Number of presentations/performances administered: 14
Average number in attendance per session: 158

Partner Information

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Even though the activities and targeted audiences may be different, these libraries are responding to real need in their communities. Both teens and seniors have enjoyed using the virtual reality equipment purchased by the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library. The library reported that although some of the senior center residents were hesitant to wear the headsets at first, they soon became more comfortable with them. This was a great outreach event. The Scottsboro Public Library is consistently trying new outreach programs and has made many good contacts in their community for future partnerships. As the library director frequently states, "If you don't ask, you don't get". The library in Selma is in the state's Black Belt area and they routinely have special outreach programs for the youth in the area. The Gadsden-Etowah County's cooking class series started small and has increased participation. They plan to make these classes part of their permanent program offerings.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The libraries are showing that they are listening to what their users want and they are trying to provide the services requested. Even though the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic affected program attendance and usage, the libraries purposely selected projects that can be utilized at any time. That fact became clear in 2020 when the sudden impact of the pandemic was felt. It's like you think everything's going on as normal, and then WHAM! something hits out of the blue. it is important to try new ideas and tailor them to try to make them successful regardless of circumstances. As word gets out about what the library is providing, there will be an increase in usage.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
These libraries are offering such unique opportunities for their communities as a trial run. Sometimes these are immediately effective and sometimes they need some revisions. Out of the box thinking is what these librarians do best as they work to keep their libraries viable and essential to their community. Their dedication is obvious and appreciated.
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:
Yes
Explain:
While it takes work to obtain outside resources, the end is worth it when it results in an increased informed public that can help make decisions to keep the community strong. Also, showcasing free resources and programs is a powerful way to show that the library deeply cares about the community and their needs.
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: Virtual Reality, Life Skills, Family Programming