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G2S Project Code: 2020-OR-85854
State: Oregon
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
Oregon State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Buzzy Nielsen
Director Phone: 971-375-3486
Director Email: buzzy.nielsen@slo.oregon.gov
General Information
Title: Public Library Consulting
State Project Code: PubLib20
Start Date: 07/01/2020
End Date: 06/30/2021
Abstract: The State Library of Oregon works to support public library staff to improve library service to Oregonians. This year the State Library focused on consulting services and pandemic guidance, virtual meetups for library directors, a data fluency cohort using Urban Libraries Council’s Edge tool, strategic planning, and oversight of minimum conditions for public libraries in Oregon.

State Goal: 3. Promote evidence-based practice in libraries
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$72,233.81
$0.00
$0.00
$72,233.81
Intent(s)
Improve the library workforce.
Library Infrastructure & Capacity
Continuing Education and Staff Development
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Consulting and Pandemic Guidance
Narrative: The State Library provides regular consulting services for public libraries that includes guidance for communities wishing to legally establish a public library as well as general best practices. This year consulting focused heavily on issues related to COVID-19. The Public Library Consultant and Library Support Program Manager worked closely with the State Librarian to get guidance from the Oregon Health Authority on library operations during the pandemic. This guidance was regularly updated and communicated on library listservs and posted on a COVID-19: Information for Oregon Libraries LibGuide.

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 172
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 14


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: 139
Academic Libraries: 52
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 8
Special Libraries: 22
School Libraries: 0
Other: 25
Activity Details
Title: Directors Virtual Meetups
Narrative:

Due to the rapidly changing nature of library work during the pandemic, the State Library began hosting twice-weekly library directors virtual meetups.These gave directors a chance to check-in with colleagues from around the state,share what was happening at their libraries, and ask questions of each other and of State Library staff. No outcome data was collected for these sessions.


Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 92
Average number in attendance per session: 12
Number of times program administered: 1


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: 139
Academic Libraries: 52
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 8
Special Libraries: 22
School Libraries: 0
Other: 25
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: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Edge Cohort
Narrative:

Edgeis a management tool led by the Urban Libraries Council that guides librariesof all sizes to set measurable, strategic goals for digital inclusion and toengage government and local leaders in meaningful conversations about21st-century community needs. The State Library assembled a cohort of 12 publiclibraries to explore how Oregon libraries can build data fluent organizationsto better understand and serve community needs.


Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 6
Average number in attendance per session: 12
Number of times program administered: 1


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: No
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 12
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: 5
Agree: 4
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: 6
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 1
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 1
Agree: 4
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 3
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 1
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 1
Agree: 7
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Strategic Planning Workshops
Narrative:

The Public Library Consultant facilitated in-person planning sessions at four libraries for staff and stakeholders (from the community at large). Developed agendas,provided supporting materials and tools, and instructed attendees on the elements of a strategic plan document (vision, mission, service responses,goals, and objectives). No outcomes data was collected for these sessions, and the State Library is now phasing out this service as priorities are reexamined.


Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 120
Number of sessions in program: 2
Average number in attendance per session: 12
Number of times program administered: 4


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: No
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 4
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: 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: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Minimum Conditions Compliance
Narrative:

In 2019, theOregon legislature passed HB 2243 which required the State Library Board toestablish minimumconditions that a public library must meet. This year, the Public LibraryConsultant reviewed and reported on the compliance of public libraries for thefirst time since the bill was enacted.


Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Planning & Evaluation
Mode: Retrospective
Format: In-house


Quantity
Number of evaluations and/or plans funded: 1
Number of funded evaluation and/or plans completed: 1


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: 139
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Question 1: I believe the planning and evaluation addresses library needs.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I am satisfied with the extent to which the plan or evaluation addresses library needs.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I believe the information from the plan or evaluation will be applied to address library needs.
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:
The State Library has received a myriad of positive feedback about support – both indirect and direct - offered during the pandemic. While attendance is generally small at the director meetups, all attendees are deeply engaged, and conversations are impactful. The objectives were for libraries participating in the Edge Cohort were: to gain an understanding of how to increase library awareness about the value of using Edge and other data for decision making; to build capacity for how to access, analyze, and leverage data; to develop SMART goals and action plans; to participate in a community of in-state Edge users contributing to innovation, ideas, and best practices; and to use data to form or strengthen partnerships with local leaders. Three-quarters of participants responded to a post-cohort survey, and results indicate the State Library was successful in achieving these objectives. The State Library is running two more cohorts this year, using ARPA funds. Minimum Conditions Compliance results indicate that over half of public libraries are deficient in at least one area, most of which are minor (e.g. not providing a link to a policy). As a result of that and the pandemic, the State Library is proposing a temporary rule to the State Library Board to delay implementation of the minimum conditions for a year to let libraries get their feet back under them.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Support from the State Library is vital as many communities struggle to open or re-open public libraries and navigate minimum conditions and best practices for public libraries in Oregon.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The virtual meetups and Edge cohort demonstrated the power of connecting with peers, something the State Library will be focusing on in the future.
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:
The State Library will no longer be offering strategic planning consulting for libraries in Oregon.
Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
Yes
Explain:
The State Library will no longer be offering strategic planning consulting for libraries in Oregon.
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: data fluency, public libraries, assessment