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G2S Project Code: 2020-OR-85852
State: Oregon
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
JACKSON COUNTY LIBRARY SERVICES

Project Director
Director Name: Claudine Taillac
Director Phone: 541-774-6415
Director Email: ctaillac@jcls.org
General Information
Title: CARES Act: Tech Connect Van to address COVID-19 recovery
State Project Code: CARES-JCLS
Start Date: 07/01/2020
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: Using CARES Act funds, the State Library of Oregon offered non-competitive subgrants to 55 public, tribal, and community college libraries in Oregon. These libraries were selected based on IMLS' three suggested criteria to identify areas of highest need. Each library was allocated a $2,000 minimum grant, and the remainder was distributed based on service population.

One library used their allocation to purchase a DART (Direct Access to Resources and Technology) van that serves as a mobile hotspot and is equipped with ten laptops and fifteen tablets that patrons can check out to use on site. The van travels around the community providing internet access, and offering digital literacy programs for seniors, work readiness workshops for job seekers, and general library instruction for all patrons. The van also served as a free lunch site at area schools during the summer.


State Goal: 1. Provide access to library services, materials, and information resources
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$88,497.00
$0.00
$0.00
$88,497.00
Intent(s)
Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.
Broadband adoption
Outreach & Partnerships
Activities
Activity Details
Title: DART (Direct Access to Resources and Technology) van
Narrative:

The library purchased a van that serves as a mobile hotspot andis equipped with ten laptops and fifteen tablets that patrons can check out touse on site. The van traveled around the community providing internet access, andoffering digital literacy programs for seniors, work readiness workshops forjob seekers, and general library instruction for all patrons. The van alsoserved as a free lunch site at area schools during the summer.


Intent: Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.

Activity: Procurement
Mode:
Format:


Quantity
Number of equipment acquired: 1
Number of acquired equipment used: 1
Number of hardware items acquired: 0
Number of acquired hardware items used: 0
Number of software items acquired: 0
Number of acquired software items used: 0
Number of materials/supplies acquired: 0
Number of acquired materials/supplies used: 0


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: JACKSON COUNTY LIBRARY SERVICES
Address: 205 S CENTRAL AVE
City: MEDFORD
State: OR
Zip: 97501
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
During the reporting period, library staff had had 850 interactions with members of the public using the DART van. The Mobile Services Specialist registered forty-eight new library card holders and renewed twenty-four expired accounts. They also provided one-on-one assistance to community members seeking help with library resources (website, catalog, databases, etc.), accessing social services, locating job resources, and general computer help. The DART van visited four free lunch sites at area schools in June and July. The Mobile Services Specialist and the Community Librarian for Youth Outreach attended these together and gave away 145 Take & Make crafts to students in attendance. The Mobile Services Specialist focused on building relationships with other community organizations in the early weeks of the project. They established a recurring stop with the Phoenix Fire Relief Center every Friday in July and August while that site was still operational. This allowed those most affected by the Almeda fire in September 2020 to access computers and connect with vital resources. Another important partnership established at this time was the Housing Authority in Jackson County. DART was a featured guest at four Housing Authority sites’ Summer Festivals. More than fifty books were given to children at these sites, no strings attached.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The DART mobile technology van enabled the library to bring library and technology-based services out into the county at a time when the community was facing reduced library hours, lack of available technology devices, and closure of local workforce partnership offices. This was particularly important for low-income areas hit hard by the COVID pandemic where many families were working to get back on their feet. The DART van visits helped break the barrier to access by allowing them print vital documents, apply for jobs, and more.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Sometimes equipment and programs have unplanned yet welcomed uses. When library doors closed during a COVID-19 spike, library staff was able to use DART to increase access. DART made the rounds at each of the fifteen branches on a rotating schedule to provide patrons with dedicated time for computer and Wi-Fi access. Southern Oregon was also the site of several highly destructive fires in fall 2020 that destroyed the homes of thousands of residents. The Mobile Services Specialist executed a survey for community members who were displaced from the fires and staying at FEMA sites to determine their information needs and create a targeted outreach plan for wildfire survivors. With DART, the library was able to provide service to those who were unhoused or living in temporary housing, helping them to gain access to vital documents and resources to rebuild after losing their homes.
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 NarrativeThe staff at Jackson County Library Services District saw a need in their community and acted quickly to fill the gap. They met the community where they were and adapted the service to community needs as they arose.
Project Tags: outreach van, mobile, hotspots