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G2S Project Code: 2020-KY-86491
State: Kentucky
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
Kentucky Department for Libraries & Archives

Project Director
Director Name: Lauren Abner
Director Phone: 502-564-1728
Director Email: lauren.abner@ky.gov
General Information
Title: Workforce Subgrant
State Project Code: FY21044D
Start Date: 10/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) sought to improve the knowledge and confidence of adult library users in relation to workforce development and digital literacy by providing laptops and hotspots as a sub-grant to public libraries throughout the Commonwealth.  Twenty (20) Kentucky public libraries received 130 laptops and awards for hotspot service, hotspot hardware, laptop software, and additional supplies to support their lending programs.
State Goal: Lifelong Learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$93,508.18
$0.00
$0.00
$93,508.18
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Digital Literacy
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Laptop and Hotspot Lending Program
Narrative: The Workforce Laptop-Hotspot Subgrant was a ten-month program to provide twenty Kentucky public libraries the materials and funding to circulate 130 laptops and hotspots together as kits.  This program targeted patrons with workforce development needs.  Participants borrowed the laptop-hotspot kit for a period set by the local library, and the kit included workforce development information compiled by the library.  The kits circulated 916 times between February to September 2021.  In survey responses, 90% of respondents felt confident in what they had learned using the kits, and 89% indicated they were more likely to use library resources. 
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Physical


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 916
Average number of items circulated / month: 114
Total number of ILL transactions: 0
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 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: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
Rural
For what age groups: 18-25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 years
70+ years
For what economic types: 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: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: BREATHITT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1024 COLLEGE AVENUE
City: JACKSON
State: KY
Zip: 41339
Name: ESTILL COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 184 BROADWAY ST
City: IRVINE
State: KY
Zip: 40336
Name: GARRARD COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 101 LEXINGTON STREET
City: LANCASTER
State: KY
Zip: 40444
Name: GREEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 112 WEST COURT STREET
City: GREENSBURG
State: KY
Zip: 42743
Name: KENTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 401 KENTON LANDS RD
City: ERLANGER
State: KY
Zip: 41018
Name: LINCOLN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 201 LANCASTER STREET
City: STANFORD
State: KY
Zip: 40484
Name: LOGAN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 225 ARMORY DR
City: RUSSELLVILLE
State: KY
Zip: 42276
Name: MARSHALL COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1150 BIRCH ST
City: BENTON
State: KY
Zip: 42025
Name: Mary Wood Weldon Memorial Library
Address: 1530 S Green St
City: GLASGOW
State: KY
Zip: 42141
Name: MCCRACKEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 555 WASHINGTON STREET
City: PADUCAH
State: KY
Zip: 42003
Name: MCCREARY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 6 NORTH MAIN STREET
City: WHITLEY CITY
State: KY
Zip: 42653
Name: MUHLENBERG COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Address: 117 SOUTH MAIN STREET
City: GREENVILLE
State: KY
Zip: 42345
Name: OLDHAM COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 308 YAGER AVENUE
City: LAGRANGE
State: KY
Zip: 40031
Name: PENDLETON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 801 ROBBINS AVE
City: FALMOUTH
State: KY
Zip: 41040
Name: PIKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT
Address: 119 COLLEGE STREET
City: PIKEVILLE
State: KY
Zip: 41501
Name: POWELL COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 725 BRECKINRIDGE STREET
City: STANTON
State: KY
Zip: 40380
Name: PULASKI COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 304 SOUTH MAIN STREET
City: SOMERSET
State: KY
Zip: 42501
Name: RUSSELL COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 535 N MAIN ST
City: JAMESTOWN
State: KY
Zip: 42629
Name: SPENCER COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 168 TAYLORSVILLE ROAD
City: TAYLORSVILLE
State: KY
Zip: 40071
Name: TRIMBLE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 35 EQUITY DR
City: BEDFORD
State: KY
Zip: 40006
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Though preparations for the laptop-hotspot grant started in 2019, the project’s first year was greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Product availability, shipping, and limited in-building staff created months-long delays at multiple stages, both for the participating public libraries and for KDLA. Closures or limited services hampered word-of-mouth advertising and referrals from informal partners such as local workforce development agencies. The conditions while starting this program were far from ideal while the need could not have been greater. Despite these challenges, anecdotal information shows the tremendous, life-changing impact of these kits even for libraries with low circulation. Some highlights from library reporting: • “I’m 62 years young and this ‘skills kit’ is truly a prayer answered for my job searches and future employment possibilities…and securing employment…And, securing a fresh and happy life again. Thank you. God bless.” – McCracken County Public Library patron • “This was incredible for me, I used it to take some courses on a career change I’m trying to make. I can’t thank you enough.” – McCracken County Public Library patron • “One user reports having finished college with a kit. One has purchased a computer and wants to be able to borrow only a hotspot.” – Mary Wood Weldon Memorial Library • “We had two patrons complete a degree and obtain new careers with the help of the bundles. Neither of them had internet access at home and worked during the hours the library was open. This enabled them to continue school and work. They both are very thankful that we had this service. It allowed them to obtain better paying jobs to help their families.” – Muhlenberg County Public Libraries • “This project has been one of the most successful programs that our library has ever conducted. Our patrons expressed 100% satisfaction and were so thankful to check-out these kits.” – Pike County Public Library District Additional library reporting emphasized the need for hotspots over laptops, and the key benefits of lending equipment for use at home—the ability to explore and learn in the privacy of the patron’s home and the ability to use the equipment at convenient times when the library is closed.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Circulation varied from library to library, but not in predictable ways. Of the 5 libraries with largest circulation during the grant period, 2 had in-house IT staff, 3 had strong ties with local workforce development agencies, and 4 were designated rural. The 5 libraries with lowest circulation were similarly situated—2 had in-house IT staff, 3 had strong ties with local workforce development agencies, and 5 were designated rural. It is difficult to identify the factors leading to higher circulation based on data from the participating libraries and their demographics. Further reporting from libraries continuing with the 2nd year of the grant will hopefully shed light on those factors. Several libraries reported comments from borrowers who indicated greater need for the hotspot than for the laptop. Where cost and staff limitations exist, libraries may benefit from starting or continuing hotspot lending programs without laptops or from offering more individual hotspots and fewer laptop/hotspot kits. Rural libraries experienced service issues with hotspots and laptop tracking software due to gaps in network coverage. Some time was lost in researching and procuring alternate service providers. These delays may be avoided by extending the deadline for submitting applications after the grant opportunity is announced.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
KDLA’s purchasing the laptops directly rather than reimbursing libraries created complications with customer support regarding certain software licenses. Also, libraries often have fewer purchasing restrictions than SLAAs, so they may have found better pricing for laptops than on a state master contract. Smaller participating libraries may have benefitted from templates provided by the SLAA for lending policies, resource guides, and promotion that were not possible due to pandemic staffing issues. Seeking earlier input from informal partners involved with workforce developmet and adult education may reduce duplication of effort in identifying resources to share with borrowers and in creating promotional materials.
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:
Yes
Explain:
The second year of the subgrant will support 16 libraries rather than 20 because some libraries did not re-apply for FFY 2022.
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: Workforce, Laptop Lending, Hotspot Lending