General Information
Title: CARES Act: Socially Distant Library Programs Utilizing iPads
State Project Code: 20-CARES-20
Start Date: 11/25/2020
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: The Seminole County Public Library sought funding for 14 new iPads with protective cases. The purpose of the funding request was to:
1) Allow the library system to expand its Zoom-based, socially distant library programming for all ages. The expansion of socially distant programs helps the Library prevent the spread of COVID-19 in its buildings. SCPL’s level of service to its community in terms of programming had suffered significantly as a direct result of COVID-19, as the vast majority of programs had been cancelled during COVID-19's initial aftermath. The 14 iPads allowed SCPL librarians to expand their Zoom-based early literacy programs for little ones, engaging STEAM programs for school-age children, programs for teens that encourage creativity, teamwork, and inquiry, and enrichment for adults without encouraging risky, face-to-face program attendance.
2) Once face-to-face library programs eventually become more feasible, the14 iPads will enable participants in many Library programs to “spread out” and interact using devices that can be sanitized easily -- again preventing the spread of COVID-19 while maintaining a standard, high quality level of service. For example, 3D Modeling & Printing workshops could be taught with each participant using their own Library iPad, while also strategically spaced apart. The iPads are more mobile and easier to sanitize than computers. DUE TO THE CONTINUED THREAT OF COVID-19 AND HIGH LOCAL CASE NUMBERS, ONLY THE FIRST PORTION OF THE PROJECT'S TWOFOLD PURPOSE WAS ABLE TO BE ACHIEVED WITHIN THE PROJECT PERIOD. THIS SITUATION WAS UNFORTUNATELY OUT OF OUR CONTROL.
SCPL's first step was to use the 14 new iPads to expand its existing Zoom-based programs for youth. SCPL doubled its Zoom-based “Mother Goose on the Loose” programs (designed for babies from birth to 18 months) from 2 per month to 4 per month. SCPL doubled both its Zoom-based Toddler early literacy programs (from once per week to twice per week) and its Preschool early literacy programs (also from once per week to twice per week). SCPL quadrupled its offering of the elementary-age "Library Explorers" program, from once per month to weekly.
The project's next step was to implement new Zoom-based programs. One goal was to introduce STEAM, Maker, or upcycled craft programs for kids via Zoom once per month or more. SCPL introduced a twice-per-month Lego Club via Zoom, as well as high-interest STEAM-based programs for children like "Dig It! Excavation Exploration" and "Shake Your Fins: Explore Sharks!" Another goal was to convert SCPL's popular Dungeons & Dragons sessions to a virtual platform, which was accomplished in July 2021. SCPL also wanted to use Zoom to promote books themselves, which was accomplished during two "Family Book Nights" on Zoom (a family book club) that also incorporated upcycled crafting. SCPL had planned to host small business development seminars for adults via Zoom, and although this was not possible (due to difficulties on the Small Business Development Commission's end), we offered other enriching adult programs via Zoom like Great Decisions and Ben Franklin Circle. SCPL aimed to host a Genealogy series for adults via Zoom, which it did in the form of Zoom-based "Genealogy Club" once per month. We aimed to partner with at least one other organization to present a Zoom program for adults, which we accomplished when we partnered with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to present a Zoom program about coyotes. Other enrichment programs SCPL hosted for adults included a "Painting with Pastels" series along with regular crafting programs.
The goals SCPL had for in-person programs utilizing iPads had to be adapted to be held via Zoom, or postponed until after the project period (due to the continued threat of COVID-19). SCPL had wanted to use the iPads to host in-person 3D modeling and printing workshops; instead we used the iPads to host a 3D modeling and printing workshop over Zoom. SCPL had wanted to use the iPads to host in-person Chess Club for kids; instead, we used them to host Virtual Chess Club via lichess.org for teens. Teen Trivia Sessions (originally envisioned as an in-person activity utilizing the iPads) became Virtual Teen Trivia Sessions using Zoom and Kahoot instead.
In terms of measurable impact, SCPL youth programs had been occurring via Zoom for the longest period of time prior to the awarding of the grant, so Zoom-based youth programs provided the most reliable source of "baseline data" with which to measure a before-and-after impact. New Zoom-based programs for adults were implemented too, as SCPL committed to in the grant application, but youth statistics provide a steady, easily comparable stream of data.
From the September 2020 – December 2020 period to the June 2021 – July 2021period, SCPL increased its average Zoom-based youth programs per week by 105.2%, and increased its average attendees of those programs per week by 30.43%.
While the growth of attendees is still significant, SCPL is aware of the reason the growth in attendance numbers lagged behind the growth of number programs offered. At nearly the exact same time we received the iPads, we debuted 3-4 Outdoor Family Storytimes per week, which involved additional staff time to plan and present, and “siphoned off” a portion of our Zoom audiences. To be able to increase our Zoom-based youth programs and their attendance after receipt of the iPads despite (self-created) competition for our audience speaks to the success of our Zoom programs utilizing the CARES Act funded iPads.
"30-Second Surveys" of Zoom participants were conducted as SCPL outlined. At least 89% of respondents responded favorably to all questions; 0% responded unfavorably (others responded with neutral answers). Specific “gains” that survey participants said they obtained from Zoom-based library programs were also collected from the surveys. For example, 95.2% of respondents to early literacy program surveys indicated that "Programs like this one build my child's interest in reading," 72.2% of respondents to teen/adult programs indicated that "I feel inspired to keep practicing something as a result of this program."
Overall, this grant-funded project accomplished what it set out to accomplish: equipping librarians with iPads with which to provide more Zoom-based programs, in order to serve a larger number of attendees with the virtual programming.
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.
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
GROWTH IN NUMBER OF ZOOM-BASED YOUTH PROGRAMS AND ATTENDEES
To analyze growth in the number of youth programs and attendees, SCPL has broken the Zoom-based youth program data down into 3 time periods:
1) September 2020 – December 2020: Baseline data
2) January 2021 – May 2021: iPads had not yet been purchased and put into use, but SCPL was able to begin the process increasing its regular Zoom-based programs due to unexpected circumstances. One of our 5 branches temporarily closed for renovations, and creative sharing of the older iPads was undertaken by the remaining 4 branches.
3) June 2021 – July 2021: iPads were fully in use by SCPL Librarians.
There are specific weeks (e.g. Christmas week, 2 weeks leading up to Summer in mid-May, 4th of July week, etc) for which SCPL intentionally does not schedule library programming. To avoid these breaks skewing any given month’s data, we measured Zoom-based youth programs and attendees per week, not counting weeks when we were on an intentional programming break.
For September 2020 – December 2020, SCPL held 13 full weeks of youth programs via Zoom, in which 1824 people attended 61 programs. On average, 4.69 Zoom-based youth programs were held per week of programming, and Zoom-based youth programs had an average attendance of 140.3 people per week.
For January 2021 – May 2021 (not counting May 27th, our Summer Reading Kickoff Party for which SCPL Librarians were finally in possession of the iPads), SCPL held 19 full weeks of youth programs via Zoom, in which 3058 people attended 123 programs. On average, 6.47 Zoom-based youth programs were held per week of programming, and Zoom-based youth programs had an average attendance of 160 people per week.
For June 2021 – July 2021, SCPL held 8 full weeks of youth programs via Zoom, in which 1465 people attended 77 programs. On average, 9.625 Zoom-based youth programs were held per week of programming, and Zoom-based youth programs had an average attendance of 183 people per week.
SCPL is pleased to note the upward trend in the average weekly number of Zoom-based youth programs it was able to host, along with the average weekly number of Zoom-based youth program attendees. Overall, from the September 2020 – December 2020 period to the June 2021 – July 2021 period, SCPL increased its average Zoom-based youth programs per week by 105.2% and increased its average attendees of those programs per week by 30.43%.
VALUE AND DESIRABILITY OF ZOOM-BASED PROGRAMS
The value and desirability of SCPL’s Zoom-based program was affirmed in surveys that were conducted with 65 participants (Librarians tried all summer long to recruit survey participants).
• I learned something by participating in this library activity.
90.8% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed (the other 9.2% “neither agreed nor disagreed”).
• I feel more confident about what I just learned.
90.8% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed (the other 9.2% “neither agreed nor disagreed”).
• I intend to apply what I just learned.
89.2% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed (the other 10.8% “neither agreed nor disagreed”).
• I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
93.85% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed (the other 6.15% “neither agreed nor disagreed”).
• I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
89.2% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed (the other 10.8% “neither agreed nor disagreed”).
• How important are the skills your child is learning through this program?
(for youth programs)
100% of parent respondents who participated in youth programs with their child said “extremely important” or “somewhat important” (0% selected degrees of “unimportant”).
*** In what may have been a biased question to a Zoom-based audience (with answers also dependent on the ever-changing COVID-19 case numbers), 62.5% of survey respondents said they preferred Zoom programs to in-person programs, while 37.5% said they would prefer in-person programs. ***
Specific “gains” that survey participants said they obtained from Zoom-based library programs were also indicated on each survey.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
While the growth of weekly attendees at Zoom-based youth programs between the September 2020 - December 2020 period and the June 2021 - July 2021 period (30.43%) is still significant, SCPL is aware of the reason the growth in attendance numbers lagged behind the growth of number programs offered. At nearly the exact same time we received the iPads, we debuted 3-4 Outdoor Family Storytimes per week, which involved additional staff time to plan and present, and “siphoned off” a portion of our Zoom audiences. To be able to increase our Zoom-based youth programs and their attendance after receipt of the iPads despite (self-created) competition for our audience speaks to the success of our Zoom programs utilizing the CARES Act funded iPads.
In terms of future program planning, SCPL wishes to observe whether COVID-19 case numbers spike dangerously for a prolonged period again over the holidays, or whether the current (as of 10/26/21) stable conditions can be maintained through the holidays. If it is safe to do so, SCPL aims to move into the second phase of its plan for using the iPads regularly for in-person library programs starting January 2022, and cutting back on the number of Zoom programs as demand decreases.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Having the right equipment and technology available to librarians hosting programming goes a long way toward supporting the ability of those librarians to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances during a pandemic.
Rather than envisioning a 2-part sequential plan (a Phase 1 of fully virtual programming followed by a Phase 2 of in-person, indoor, strategically "spaced" programming), it may be more helpful to view plans from an "if/then" contingency perspective, e.g. "IF new daily COVID-19 case numbers are below X threshold and our County leadership is supportive, THEN we will implement this in-person, indoor program in which iPad users are strategically spaced out." Alternatively, "IF new daily COVID-19 case numbers are above X threshold and the CDC advises against indoor gatherings, THEN we will offer all of this virtual programming in which our librarians utilize the iPads instead."
The public's preferences can change very quickly as COVID-19 case numbers rise and fall, as new announcements are made regarding vaccines and boosters, and as local policies change and shape public opinion. Although SCPL initially saw this project as "Phase 1, followed by Phase 2," it was immensely helpful to be able to adapt quickly and make "socially distant" use of our new iPads in order to serve the public in either scenario.
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:
Yes
Explain:
SCPL wishes to observe whether COVID-19 case numbers spike dangerously for a prolonged period again over the holidays, or whether the current (as of 10/26/21) stable conditions can be maintained through the holidays. If it is safe to do so, SCPL aims to move into the second phase of its plan for using the iPads regularly for in-person library programs starting January 2022, and cutting back on the number of Zoom programs as demand decreases.
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:
