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G2S Project Code: 2020-CT-86405
State: Connecticut
Fiscal Year: 2020

Grantee
Connecticut State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Dawn LaValle
Director Phone: 860-757-6050
Director Email: dawn.lavalle@ct.gov

General Information
Title: CARES Act: Acquistions and Distributions
State Project Code:
Start Date: 04/21/2020
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: The CT State Library and its Division of Library Development developed a framework of need, coordinating with partners to provide support with the CARES Act funding that meets the IMLS CARES Act guidelines. Thus, the State Library goal was to use the funds to expand digital network access, to purchase internet accessible devices, and to provide technical support service to citizens to address digital inclusion efforts and related technical support. To prioritize our efforts, we used data from the Poverty/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and measures of unemployment and broadband availability. At that point in time, over 40% of CT libraries had limited internet capacity. We acquired MiFi hotspots to distribute to libraries so they could support K-12 students and others in need of connectivity. CT State Library acquired Chromebook devices, too, to give to libraries for the purpose of dedicated use for job search, benefits application and other economic development and basic support needs. We also obtained a subscription to EBSCO Learning Express / Workforce Solutions / Job and Career Accelerator database to meet the specific needs of CT librarians in areas such as workforce development

State Goal: Libraries as Community Anchors

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$322,154.00

$0.00

$322,154.00

Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.
Employment
General (select only for electronic databases or other data sources)

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Acquistion of EBSCO Job and Career Accelerator database
Narrative: The CT State Library acquired the EBSCO workforce development database called "Job and Career Accelerator. Usage by CT public libraries of this database was robust. One hundred ninety-one libraries had logins tothe database. During the funding year 2021, there were 1,966 sessions recorded.These included 475 registrations, 42,516 page-hits, 498 tests taken, 57tutorials accessed, enrollment in 539 classes, and the use of 507 ebooks.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Digital

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 1
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 0
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Device and Chrome book distribution
Narrative:

To help libraries assist under-connected patrons, a total of 225 hotspots and 225 chrome books were purchased and spread among 15 libraries that served communities in need. These included public libraries in Middletown, West Haven, Stamford, Danbury, Hartford, New Haven, Stafford, Norwich,New London, Bridgeport, Waterbury, East Hartford, New Britain, Bloomfield, and Norwalk. Participant libraries filed final reports detailing the average circulation of hotspots and devices inside and outside of the library, collected stories from users, and had staff complete a survey about the effectiveness of the project. Some libraries circulated the devices for patron use outside of the library. Others used them inside the library to facilitate the user social distancing that was not possible via the normal public computer area.

Intent: Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 450
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 0
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0

Partner Information

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
For what age groups: All Ages
For what economic types: Below Poverty
Unemployed
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
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: Yes: Those without computers or adequate connectivity

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Bloomfield Public Library
Address: 1 Tunxis Avenue
City: Bloomfield
State: CT
Zip: 06002
Name: BRIDGEPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 925 BROAD ST.
City: BRIDGEPORT
State: CT
Zip: 06604
Name: DANBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 170 MAIN STREET
City: DANBURY
State: CT
Zip: 06810
Name: EAST HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 840 MAIN ST.
City: EAST HARTFORD
State: CT
Zip: 06108
Name: FERGUSON LIBRARY
Address: ONE PUBLIC LIBRARY PLAZA
City: STAMFORD
State: CT
Zip: 06904
Name: HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 500 MAIN ST.
City: HARTFORD
State: CT
Zip: 06103
Name: NEW BRITAIN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 20 HIGH ST.
City: NEW BRITAIN
State: CT
Zip: 06051
Name: NEW HAVEN FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 133 ELM ST.
City: NEW HAVEN
State: CT
Zip: 06510
Name: NORWALK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1 BELDEN AVE.
City: NORWALK
State: CT
Zip: 06850
Name: OTIS LIBRARY
Address: 261 MAIN ST.
City: NORWICH
State: CT
Zip: 06360
Name: PUBLIC LIBRARY OF NEW LONDON
Address: 63 HUNTINGTON ST.
City: NEW LONDON
State: CT
Zip: 06320
Name: RUSSELL LIBRARY
Address: 123 BROAD ST.
City: MIDDLETOWN
State: CT
Zip: 06457
Name: SILAS BRONSON LIBRARY
Address: 267 GRAND ST.
City: WATERBURY
State: CT
Zip: 06702
Name: STAFFORD LIBRARY
Address: 10 LEVINTHAL RUN
City: STAFFORD SPRINGS
State: CT
Zip: 06076
Name: WEST HAVEN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 300 ELM ST.
City: WEST HAVEN
State: CT
Zip: 06516

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Recipient libraries reported average number of loans per month of their device and hotspot kits of between 2 and 42. Most reported an average number of loans per month between 7 and 12. Twelve of the 15 recipient libraries reported concrete plans to sustain or expand the loaning of hotspots and devices based on this experience. Anecdotes gathered by recipient libraries included the following: We piloted this program with a patron who worked as a paraprofessional in a school. She needed a laptop and internet access for remote work. She was thrilled with this service and found the equipment easy to use." "We partnered with East Hartford Adult Education and our collaboration meant that two students earned their high school diplomas at a time when our partner had no devices of their own for students to use." "This lending program has enabled participants to access websites such as that of the CT Department of Labor where they could file for unemployment benefits and access employment service assistance. In addition, borrowers have been able to access telehealth and arrange medical services. 24-hour access to the internet provides many benefits to individuals who cannot afford to pay for internet services." "One our families borrowed a hotspot frequently to facilitate home learning and another used such a loan to cover a period when financial setbacks interfered with their home connection. There was a steep learning curve for many our patrons, especially seniors, who had not used either type of device before. After receiving instruction, however, they were able to use the chrome books without problems." Sixteen staff people answered the IMLS Questionnaire for Library Workforce about a Resource. In response to the question “I am satisfied that the resources is meeting library needs,” 13 strongly agreed or agreed. In response to the statement “Applying the resource will help improve library services to the public,” 14 strongly agreed or agreed. Two librarians who were unable to loan out filters due to issues with achieving CIPA-compliance, chose “Neither agree nor disagree.” One staff person said, “Over the course of the past year, I was proud to tell patrons that the library offers this service. It shows how responsive libraries are to their community needs, even during a crisis.” Another wrote, “I have seen chrome books help so many patrons. They are a wonderful addition to items offered to users and to close the digital divide.”
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Most final reports from recipient libraries reported that they discovered that this service met critical needs for a large number of patrons, including those currently unhoused. The experience convinced many of the libraries to find a way to sustain and even expand device and hotspot lending. In most of those cases, they chose a new hot spot provider that they felt offered better service. For several, this experience prepared them to use IMLS ARPA funds or Emergency Connectivity Funds for devices and services that could expand off-site connectivity for their patrons.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The Division of Library Development learned that while bulk purchasing reduces cost, individual recipient libraries may have distinct needs and technical capacities regarding loaner devices and hot spots that cannot all be met by the same model and brand. The project manager learned not all libraries received the hot spot brand that had the best coverage in their area. Irregular service by the hot spot provider marred the experience for some. Several libraries reported that after they purchased additional hot spots from a different service provider, their patrons got better coverage in large public housing apartment blocks. Finally, the State Library left CIPA-compliant filtering for loaners to the individual libraries, and this proved to be a hardship in terms of cost and technical capacity for three libraries, who decided to use devices in-house only with their already compliant internal WiFi connections. Some large libraries with IT departments had no difficulty configuring and managing chrome books, but many small libraries found the preparation and management very burdensome. Other libraries noted that the functions of chrome books were not adequate for under-connected adult users and urged the State Library to provide laptops with Windows applications if there are future grants for this purpose. In the future, the project manager believes that any distributions of devices and ho tspots must informed by the specific needs and capacities of all recipient libraries and accompanied by upfront training on configuration, filtering, and device management during and between loans.
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: