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G2S Project Code: 2020-RI-86370
State: Rhode Island
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
WEST WARWICK PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Amber Bliss
Director Phone: 401-828-3750 ext. 111
Director Email: amber@wwpl.org
General Information
Title: Indigenous Voices Anthology & Fellowship
State Project Code:
Start Date: 04/01/2021
End Date: 09/15/2021
Abstract: For the Indigenous Voices Anthology and Fellowship, the West Warwick Public Library brought together a cohort of young Indigenous writers to learn about the craft and business of writing fiction. The cohort attended a combination of workshops, lectures by literary professionals, and peer critique sessions, while also going through the professional editorial process. The project elevated Indigenous work in the Rhode Island community through student-led workshops and the publication of the Indigenous writers’ stories in an anthology made available through all Rhode Island public libraries and select commercial venues. The library partnered with the Cranston Public Library teen department to provide additional support for the program attendees, and with the Tomaquag Museum, an Indigenous Museum in Exeter, RI that educates about the history and culture of the Narragansett, Niantic, Pokanoket, Wampanoag and Nipmuck tribes of Southern New England.  Promoting the value of artists and their work was central to this project’s vision; the library paid professional rates to the cohort of writers and cover artist, whose work comprise the final published anthology. 
State Goal: Engagement
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$11,500.00
$0.00
$303.48
$11,803.48
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Writing Workshops and Virtual Guest Author Sessions
Narrative: Six Indigenous writers between ages 16 and 25 participated in a writing fellowship that included a series of writing modules and workshops, and virtual sessions with authors and literary professionals.  Eight virtual writing modules covered lessons on the craft and business of writing, while three writing workshops allowed the participants to read and critique each other’s work. These sessions helped to build community and led to a noticeable improvement in participants’ writing. Fellows also attended seven virtual sessions with six published Indigenous writers representing a variety of genres and a literary agent, who shared their expertise about the business of writing and publishing contracts. Outcomes for program participants include improvement to writing skills, increased knowledge of the publishing world, the business of writing, and new connections to published Indigenous authors.  
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 28
Average number in attendance per session: 6
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: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
Rural
For what age groups: 13-17 years
18-25 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Indian
Is the activity directed at families: No
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: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: WEST WARWICK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1043 MAIN STREET
City: WEST WARWICK
State: RI
Zip: 02893
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: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Student-Led Workshops
Narrative: Program participants worked individually or in pairs to design and deliver a public program on a topic or activity in writing of their choice. Three of the programs were virtual and hosted and advertised through the West Warwick Public Library and their community partners and one workshop was in person at the Tomaquag Museum for tribal elders. All students led workshops, even those who were initially anxious about sharing and presenting in public. As a result of leading workshops, fellows learned skills for planning and implementing successful programs, improved their presentation skills, and increased their confidence. Writing fellows were compensated for the workshops they led.  
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

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


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 4
Average number in attendance per session: 8
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: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: WEST WARWICK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1043 MAIN STREET
City: WEST WARWICK
State: RI
Zip: 02893
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: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Indigenous Voices Anthology
Narrative: West Warwick Public Library published Voices from the Warp and Weft, an anthology of work created by program participants. The library used Adobe InDesign to lay out the publication and worked with Indigenous artist Angel Beth-Smith to create the cover art.  The fellows and artist were compensated professional rates for their work on the published anthology. The printed book is available at all RI public libraries. The library also created an eBook version that is available in the statewide eBook platform as well as on many commercial eBook platforms.  To celebrate the release of the anthology, fellows read from their work over a live stream on the library’s and Tomaquag Museum’s Facebook pages; the recording has been viewed over 190 times. Program participants have successfully navigated the full experience of writing, editing and publishing a book, and have their work available to the public.  
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Combined physical & digital


Quantity
Number of items digitized: 0
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 1
Number of physical items: 1
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 0
Number of plans/frameworks: 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: WEST WARWICK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1043 MAIN STREET
City: WEST WARWICK
State: RI
Zip: 02893
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Important outcomes of this program were the relationships and community that were established between the fellows and the extended community. Discussions about Indigenous identity were useful for the fellows and also for library staff, who learned more about the experiences of Indigenous people. It was an affirming experience for those fellows and created a sense of community that will last beyond the span of this project.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Due to the ongoing success of publishing projects, the West Warwick library has moved forward with the creation of a press under the library’s name. The library plans to create an anthology of LGBTQIA+ youth writing in the summer of 2022 with funding from the RI State Council for the Arts and plans to continue publishing works by youth from under-represented groups.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
A library staff member with an MFA in creative writing ran this program, and it was a lot of work for one individual. The library recommends either hiring an outside consultant to administer the program, having extra staff available or extending the timeline beyond what was allowable for this grant cycle. The compressed timeline of this grant period, paired with the large number of activities that were offered meant that it was difficult to fit in all activities within the timeframe, and delays in shipping and printing at Ingram Spark also delayed publication of the anthology. When doing a project that focuses on an underrepresented population, the library recommends partnering with an organization that serves that group, especially if no one on the library staff is a member of that population. It was important for this project that the writers had administrators and educators who reflected their identities and experiences; it was also vital for library staff to increase their cultural awareness through the work with Indigenous partners.
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: