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G2S Project Code: 2020-MT-85766
State: Montana
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
Montana State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Amelea Kim
Director Phone: 406-444-0224
Director Email: akim@mt.gov
General Information
Title: Lifelong Learning
State Project Code:
Start Date: 07/01/2020
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: The Lifelong Learning Librarian works collaboratively with Montana librarians, other State Library staff, local, state and regional agencies, and other partners and organizations to provide research-based programming, resources, digital content, training and opportunities to create and support lifelong learning opportunities that meet patrons’ needs and that help libraries create thriving communities. The State Library's success measures for this program are seeing an increase in the number of Montana libraries that discover, create, and provide lifelong learning resources to their communities; and an increase in Montana citizens who demonstrate meaningful improvements to their quality of life because of lifelong learning opportunities made available by their libraries.
State Goal: Outreach and Lifelong Learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$86,745.65
$0.00
$0.00
$86,745.65
Intent(s)
Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their parenting and family skills.
Early Literacy
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Collaborative Summer Library Program
Narrative:
The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) is "a consortium of states working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children, teens, and adults at the lowest cost possible for their public libraries." The State Library purchased 90 online summer reading manuals from the CSLP for all Montana public libraries and branches.
The Lifelong Learning Librarian facilitated seven training sessions in which 176 public library staff across Montana were able to share program ideas with one another and tour CSLP online resources. A total of 583 Summer Reading Program events were held in libraries across the state. 


Intent: Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their parenting and family skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 10
Average number in attendance per session: 18
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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 82
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 13
Agree: 13
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 10
Agree: 14
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 3
Disagree: 2
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 12
Agree: 12
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 3
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 15
Agree: 8
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 4
Disagree: 2
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Economic Development in Libraries
Narrative: During LSTA19, the Lifelong Learning Librarian initiated a project to help libraries become resources for economic development in their communities. This project continued to grow during LSTA20. MSL contracted with an economic development consultant to lay the groundwork for future programs such as the Montana libraries SPARK ED initiative and entrepreneurial coaching. Learning cohorts for Entrepreneurial Coaching and Entrepreneurial Support in Libraries were formed, and webinars focusing on entrepreneurial resources such as the Small Business Administration program were conducted.
Intent: Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their parenting and family skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 16
Number of times program administered: 3


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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 82
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 7
Agree: 1
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: 1
Agree: 5
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 4
Agree: 4
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 4
Agree: 4
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Lifelong Learning Training
Narrative:
The Lifelong Learning Librarian developed multiple trainings for Montana library staff. Training topics included COVID-19 concerns, Economic Development, Teen Services, Early Literacy, Civic Engagement, and STEM.

Regular COVID-19-focused meetups continued to help guide libraries through uncertain times. These meetings included discussions of mask policies, brainstorming about alternative services that could be provided, and emotional support for library staff.


Intent: Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their parenting and family skills.

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


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 22
Number of times program administered: 29


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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 82
Academic Libraries: 27
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 60
School Libraries: 564
Other: 0
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 22
Agree: 12
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 15
Agree: 17
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 4
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 24
Agree: 10
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 24
Agree: 11
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Ready2Read Goes Wild Trunks
Narrative:
Ready 2 Read is Montana State Library’s early literacy initiative, and the Ready 2 Read Goes Wild program is a partnership between MSL, Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, and public libraries to bring early literacy and outdoor education/awareness to Montana’s youngest citizens. The R2R Goes Wild Trunks currently offers bear and bat trunks to libraries to use with their patrons, and draws upon the following curriculums from their activities:
oGrowing Up Wild: Outdoor education and activities for kids aged 3 – 7
oProject Wild: Outdoor education and activities for kids 8+
Types of things they contain: Bear pelts and bat skeletons, plastic tokens, bear tracks, skull replicas, posters and bookmarks, Growing Up Wild and Project Wild activity guides, other small craft items like plastic cups, wooden dice, pencils, etc


Intent: Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their parenting and family skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Other
Format: Physical


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: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Rural
For what age groups: 0-5 years
6-12 years
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: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 82
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Ready2Read Texting Program
Narrative:
The Montana Ready 2 Read texting program delivered three weekly research-based text messages at no charge to anyone who signed up for the program. The widespread use, low cost, and ease of scalability of text messaging made texting an attractive approach to supporting parenting practices in Montana. 
The State Library disseminated texts via ShoutBomb. Participants received three text messages each week. On Mondays, they received “FACT” texts, designed to generate buy-in by highlighting the importance of a particular skill or skillset. On Wednesdays, they received “TIP” texts, designed to maximize parents’ self-efficacy in supporting their children’s literacy development by minimizing the costs associated with adopting beneficial practices. These texts include short, simple, and highly-specific activities for parents to do with their children. On Fridays, parents received “GROWTH” texts, which provide encouragement and reinforcement and extend the tips from Wednesdays. 
During this reporting period, an average of 928 people were subscribed to the program each month.


Intent: Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their parenting and family skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Other
Format: Digital


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: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Rural
For what age groups: 0-5 years
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: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 82
Academic Libraries: 27
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 61
School Libraries: 564
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Bat Week has shown that school teachers and school librarians are a great pool of program users, and have a lot of reach with young Montanans. While we don’t have the resources to specifically plan for school programming, we can definitely be more explicit in letting school folks know that they are always welcome to participate in Lifelong Learning programs.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:

Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:

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: