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G2S Project Code: 2020-WA-86306
State: Washington
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
Washington State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Mike Buschman
Director Phone: 360-704-5248
Director Email: mike.buschman@sos.wa.gov
General Information
Title: CARES - Extended Connectivity
State Project Code: 09550-2161-06
Start Date: 10/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: Utilizing CARES funding this program offered grants to libraries or library systems to use for extending library Wi-Fi to reach parking lots and other outside areas. Libraries were reimbursed 75% of allowable (non-construction-related) costs. 4 library systems took advantage to extend Wi-Fi in 84 library branches.
State Goal: Goal 1. Promote economic growth, education and life-long learning.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$53,556.04
$0.00
$0.00
$53,556.04
Intent(s)
Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.
Broadband adoption
Systems & Technologies
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Extended Connectivity Grant Program
Narrative: Utilizing CARES funding this program offered grants to libraries or library systems to use for extending library Wi-Fi to reach parking lots and other outside areas. Libraries were reimbursed 75% of allowable (non-construction-related) costs. 4 library systems took advantage to extend Wi-Fi in 84 library branches.
Intent: Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.

Activity: Procurement
Mode:
Format:


Quantity
Number of equipment acquired: 84
Number of acquired equipment used: 0
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: 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: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: FORT VANCOUVER REGIONAL LIBRARY DISTRICT
Address: 1007 E. MILL PLAIN BLVD
City: VANCOUVER
State: WA
Zip: 98663
Name: KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 960 NEWPORT WAY NW
City: ISSAQUAH
State: WA
Zip: 98027
Name: PIERCE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 3005 112TH STREET EAST
City: TACOMA
State: WA
Zip: 98446
Name: SNO-ISLE LIBRARIES
Address: 7312 35TH AVENUE NE
City: MARYSVILLE
State: WA
Zip: 98271
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
King County surveyed patrons on the value of extending Wi-Fi to the parking lots. 17 responses: I learned something by participating in this library activity. Strongly Agree - 8 Agree - 8 Neither Disagree or Agree - 1 Disagree - 0 Strongly Disagree - 0 No Response to this question - 0 I am confident about using what I have learned. Strongly Agree - 4 Agree - 12 Neither Disagree or Agree - 1 Disagree - 0 Strongly Disagree - 0 No Response to this question - 0 I am likely to apply what I have learned. Strongly Agree -9 Agree - 7 Neither Disagree or Agree - 1 Disagree - 0 Strongly Disagree - 0 No Response to this question -0 Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public. Strongly Agree- 7 Agree - 10 Neither Disagree or Agree - 0 Disagree - 0 Strongly Disagree - 0 No Response to this question - 3 Sno-Isle and Pierce County submitted statistics showing off the value of this grant program. Word docs attached.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
2 things stand out as outcomes for this program. First, using CARES funds from IMLS, WSL was able to work with 4 larger library districts and get broadband extended beyond the buildings in 84 library branches during the pandemic. Especially during the pandemic, with many business closed or only open for curbside/takeout service, finding free wireless internet can be a huge challenge. These libraries gave their communities many more points of access. And second, WSL was able to work with library districts on important projects that included some amount of construction. Partner libraries paid the construction-related costs and CARES funds paid for 75% of the allowable costs. This may be a model we use for future grant programs.
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:
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: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: