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G2S Project Code: 2020-FL-84428
State: Florida
Fiscal Year: 2020

Grantee
POLK COUNTY LIBRARY COOPERATIVE

Project Director
Director Name: Gladys Roberts
Director Phone: 863-519-7138
Director Email: robertg@mypclc.org

General Information
Title: CARES Act: Polk CARES for Our Community
State Project Code: 20-CARES-19
Start Date: 11/25/2020
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: This project took a four-pronged approach to providing services specifically identified by our community as essential as they dealt with COVID-19. We implemented contactless, wireless printing that enabled our patrons (or guests) to send print jobs to their library, pay for them, and then pick them up using outside services. We provided patrons/guests with outside library internet access, both in our parking lots (using Wi-Fi access points) and in their homes (using hotspots). We added contactless provision of library materials using lockers and self-checkout machines. Finally, we provided expanded e-resources to our patrons by expanding our Overdrive subscription.

State Goal: Goal 1 - Services: Floridians use information and innovative and responsive services from all types of libraries and archives that meet diverse information needs.

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$105,987.00

$0.00

$105,987.00

Intent(s)
Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.
Library Infrastructure & Capacity
Systems & Technologies

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Implement CARES Act Projects
Narrative:

Implemented contactless, wireless printing that enabled patrons/guests to send print jobs via mobile devices to library printers and then pick them up using drive-through services. Provided internet access to library parking lots using Wi-Fi access points and to homes using hotspots. Provided contactless pickup of library materials using lockers. Provided contactless checkout of library materials using self-check machines. Paid system fees for shared Overdrive account and purchased additional e-content.

Intent: Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.

Activity: Procurement
Mode:
Format:

Quantity
Number of equipment acquired: 4
Number of acquired equipment used: 4
Number of hardware items acquired: 3
Number of acquired hardware items used: 3
Number of software items acquired: 2
Number of acquired software items used: 2
Number of materials/supplies acquired: 0
Number of acquired materials/supplies used: 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: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: POLK COUNTY LIBRARY COOPERATIVE
Address: 2150 S. BROADWAY AVE.
City: BARTOW
State: FL
Zip: 33830

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Implementing these activities definitely improved our ability to safely serve our community during the pandemic. The wireless printing was used immediately upon installation and met with reactions like, "Thank-you for having this service! I needed to print a document and don't have a printer at home, but was nervous about having to go into a building. With your service I was able to send the print job to you and then pick it up at your drive through window. Thank you again for making this possible. I appreciate our library!" The access to hotspots had similar reactions, "Mulberry Library's hotspots have allowed me to connect with my out of state relatives, especially during the pandemic. The Wi-Fi lets me see pictures and videos of my family's wedding, engagements, academic accomplishments, and more." The lockers and self-checkout machines also were much appreciated, "My husband and I are in our 70's and aren't comfortable yet going into buildings. Since we have lost all of our regular activities, we have SO appreciated that between your books by mail and the ability to pick things up outside in your lockers we still have access to our books and dvd's. You have kept us sane during this difficult time. Thank you!" Finally, access to our electronic resources, including Overdrive, have exponentially increased. Circulation in Overdrive went up by over 4,000 items. Being able to pay the system fees and increase the number of titles in the collection helped drive this number up.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The lessons learned from 2020 and "how to deliver safe public library services in a pandemic" will linger even after this season has passed. While there are many things we will be happy to leave behind us, there are many innovations and ideas that will continue on because they not only enhanced services during a pandemic, but in "normal" times as well. Being able to send print jobs remotely from a mobile device to a library and them pick them up; using internet access in a parking lot after hours; picking up materials from an outside locker or an inside self checkout machine; and having access to more e-materials just makes good library service great. We will be continuing all of these services long past the time frame of this grant.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Overall, things went very much as expected with the implementation of the activities in this grant. We would emphasize the importance of pre-planning and site preparation for the installation of lockers. Knowing all of this ahead of time enables you to include pertinent information in your quote specifications. For instance, one of our libraries wanted to put the lockers outside; while another wanted them inside a lobby area (outside of the main building.) We ended up getting lockers from two different companies because each offered features better suited to the specific needs.
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:
Yes
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 NarrativeThis project was chosen because it is widely representative of the goals established for the FY2020 IMLS CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries program. The subrecipient (1) implemented contactless, wireless printing that enabled their patrons (or guests) to send print jobs to the library, pay for them, and then pick them up using outside services, (2) provided patrons/guests with outside library internet access, both in the parking lots (using Wi-Fi access points) and in their homes (using hotspots), (3) added contactless provision of library materials using lockers and self-checkout machines, and (4) provided expanded e-resources to their patrons by expanding the Overdrive subscription. By implementing all of these activities, Polk County Library Cooperative (PCLC) definitely improved their ability to safely serve their community during the pandemic. PCLC stated that there are many innovations and ideas that will continue on because they not only enhanced services during a pandemic, but in "normal" times as well. In the end, the take-away was having access to more patron-oriented services just makes good library service great.

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