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G2S Project Code: 2020-NH-86151
State: New Hampshire
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
New Hampshire State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Bobbilee Slossar
Director Phone: 603-271-2143
Director Email: bobbi.l.slossar@dncr.nh.gov
General Information
Title: Technology Resources for Public Librarians
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: Children of NH were first exposed to STEM programming at their public libraries through an IMLS LSTA-funded lending collection of educational toys that they could borrow from NHSL. Public libraries began investing in more STEM-based items and programming, and were interested in expanding with additional innovative programming and services.

State Goal: Equity of Innovation
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$6,575.83
$3,162.23
$0.00
$9,738.06
Intent(s)
Improve the library workforce.
Digital Literacy
Library Skills
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Technology Resources for Public Librarians
Narrative:

The STEM workshopsin the first half of the reporting period for youth, teen, and adult servicesattracted a total of 82 participants. Reimagining School Readinesstraining for NH librarians reached 70 participants over 4 contact hours. Totalparticipants reached during the full reporting period were 152.


Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 90
Number of sessions in program: 6
Average number in attendance per session: 25
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: 234
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
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The reporting period began with events tailored to developing summer reading programming for youth, teens, and adults with a technology component. The technology used in the children’s workshop included simple hands-on projects, the teen program focused on Electronics 101, and adult programming focused on escape room development. Unfortunately, due to the dramatic changes to library services during the pandemic, the summer reading programs were quite different from previous years and the focus shifted from in-person, hands-on programming to remote and contactless events. In the latter half of the reporting period, NHSL consultants introduced an innovative program for children ages 8 and younger to the state’s public libraries called Reimagining School Readiness. The program teaches librarians to alter the traditional storytimes and STEM programs for young children into modern programs that encourages a growth mindset, facilitates complex thinking skills, and allows children to develop critical thinking skills.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Coordinating the technology/STEM training as an extension of summer reading programming and rebranding it as summer learning programming allowed the technology consultant to reach librarians who might not normally be attracted to standalone technology training. The same can be said with the STEM elements in the Reimagining School Readiness training.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The in-person workshops were held in conjunction with the library development consultant and focused on integrating technology and STEM-based programming into the popular summer reading programming. The STEM components of the Reimagining School Readiness brought an added-value to the overall program. This strategy of working in the context of other popular programs worked very well and will be continued for future programs.
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: Yes
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: Technology, Consulting