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G2S Project Code: 2020-SC-86416
State: South Carolina
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
SUMTER COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM

Project Director
Director Name: Robert Harden
Director Phone: 803-773-7273
Director Email: director@sumterlibrary.net
General Information
Title: Read, Learn and Grow Outreach Boxes
State Project Code: IID-20-03
Start Date: 10/01/2020
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: Sumter County Library’s Read, Learn and Grow boxes were developed to provide a new and exciting way to reach and serve Sumter County daycare centers, after school learning centers and adults with special needs in their community. Each box was created for the age group in mind and their specific needs.  The boxes consisted of numerous quality books, educational music cd’s and DVD’s, and engaging STEM activities. Each month project staff contacted the local recipients about their box and created it with their needs in mind. Box delivery and pick-up were contact-free during the pandemic. 
Read, Learn, and Grow boxes are meant to be an extension of the learning centers curriculum. Library staff filled the boxes with exciting activities that sparked imagination and eye catching interactive read alouds. They intended to improve vocabulary, build relationships and improve the learning environment with these boxes.
This project helped to support goals 3 and 6 as identified in South Carolina LSTA Five Year Plan.
State Goal: Goal 3: Children’s Services
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$10,208.00
$0.00
$0.00
$10,208.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Early Literacy
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Storytime Boxes
Narrative: Storytime boxes were prepared monthly for community daycares and learning center form November 2019 through July 2020. Boxes included books, STEM toys, music CDs and movie DVDs that were age appropriate. Activity sheets were also included as teacher resources.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 0
Number of sessions in program: 35
Average number in attendance per session: 15
Number of times program administered: 9


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: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
Rural
For what age groups: All Ages
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: Yes
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: SUMTER COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 111 N. HARVIN STREET
City: SUMTER
State: SC
Zip: 29150
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: Read, Learn and Grow Outreach Collection
Narrative: Picture books, chapter books, and non-fiction text were purchased along with music CDs and movie DVDs. Books were chosen in a variety of holidays, season and emotional care themes. CDs were chosen for storytime movement and interaction. DVD’s were storytime themed for young children.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 200
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 20


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: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
Rural
For what age groups: All Ages
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: Yes
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: SUMTER COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 111 N. HARVIN STREET
City: SUMTER
State: SC
Zip: 29150
Activity Details
Title: Read, Learn and Grow Outreach Circulation
Narrative: Sumter County Library's collection was used to supplement our Read, Learn and Grow boxes. Picture books, easy read, non-fiction and chapter books were circulated.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Physical


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 3,150
Average number of items circulated / month: 350
Total number of ILL transactions: 0
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 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: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
Rural
For what age groups: All Ages
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: Yes
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: SUMTER COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 111 N. HARVIN STREET
City: SUMTER
State: SC
Zip: 29150
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The Read, Learn, Grow boxes were a huge success with our daycares and learning centers. The children enjoyed playing with the STEM toys and reading the books that we choose for them. The parents were also appreciative of the activity sheets and handouts we provided in the boxes for them. Because of our box distribution, teachers learned what the library has to offer them and their students. Through surveys, teachers included requests for more information of library services. Several teachers sent us notes and cards from the children thanking us for the learning boxes. The Head Start Director also sent a letter to our County Administrator and Chairman of County Council to praise our efforts.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:

Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The Project manager reported that "This project has soared beyond our expectations! We are still sending out the boxes this school year because the demand is there. We have even integrated toddler boxes. If we had to do anything differently it might be to buy more books for circulation. We felt like we didn’t have enough themed books that were popular for our boxes. Many teachers wanted specific topics and we found a few holes in our collection."
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: STEAM, Early Literacy