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G2S Project Code: 2020-DE-86517
State: Delaware
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
Delaware Division of Libraries

Project Director
Director Name: Annie Norman
Director Phone: 3022573001
Director Email: annie.norman@delaware.gov
General Information
Title: Delaware Communities of Excellence
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: The goal of Delaware Communities of Excellence (DECOE) is to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans by developing a comprehensive literacy ecosystem that promotes equity and enhances Delawareans’ quality of life. It will provide resources and services to improve literacy in Delaware that are easier to access, equitable, cost effective, and show measurable, impactful results. As the backbone organization, the Delaware Division of Libraries (DDL) collaborates with state agencies, nonprofits, and private sector organizations to improve equity through literacy. More than 20% of Delaware’s adult population have low literacy skills, and 49% of third graders are not proficient readers. In its first year, DECOE created a working group and convened an advisory board of statewide high-level, politically influential stakeholders from many sectors. Direct programs supporting this work include Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Overdrive’s SORA ebooks for Delaware students, and, in partnership with Literacy Delaware, Northstar Digital Literacy assessment and training for adults. DDL contracted with Literacy Delaware to work with public libraries to implement the Northstar Digital Literacy program. DDL also contracted with the University of Delaware’s Kids Count unit and QualityMetrics to assist with the development of a literacy dashboard to help understand the literacy landscape in Delaware.
State Goal: Lifelong Learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$174,950.04
$44,450.04
$0.00
$219,400.08
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Education
Literacy
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Delaware Communities of Excellence
Narrative: The goal of Delaware Communities of Excellence (DECOE) is to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans by developing a comprehensive literacy ecosystem that promotes equity and enhances Delawareans’ quality of life. It will provide resources and services to improve literacy in Delaware that are easier to access, equitable, cost effective, and show measurable, impactful results. As the backbone organization, the Delaware Division of Libraries (DDL) collaborates with state agencies, nonprofits, and private sector organizations to improve equity through literacy. More than 20% of Delaware’s adult population have low literacy skills, and 49% of third graders are not proficient readers. In its first year, DECOE created a working group and convened an advisory board of statewide high-level, politically influential stakeholders from many sectors. Direct programs supporting this work include Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Overdrive’s SORA ebooks for Delaware students, and, in partnership with Literacy Delaware, Northstar Digital Literacy assessment and training for adults. DDL contracted with Literacy Delaware to work with public libraries to implement the Northstar Digital Literacy program. DDL also contracted with the University of Delaware’s Kids Count unit and QualityMetrics to assist with the development of a literacy dashboard to help understand the literacy landscape in Delaware.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Planning & Evaluation
Mode: Prospective
Format: In-house


Quantity
Number of evaluations and/or plans funded: 1
Number of funded evaluation and/or plans completed: 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: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 33
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 1
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:

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:

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:
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: Yes
Exemplary NarrativeThe Delaware Division of Libraries (DDL) has a long and successful history of partnerships with many organizations throughout the state. To take that work to a higher level, DDL became the backbone organization of Delaware Communities of Excellence (DECOE) by joining the Communities of Excellence 2026 national program. This project is noteworthy because it is the first involving libraries and the first statewide program in the network. DECOEs ongoing efforts to build a statewide ecosystem of partners to improve foundational literacy across the age spectrum, including dual-generational relationships, strengthens existing partnerships, creates new ones, and aligns partners’ literacy activities for greater impact statewide.
Project Tags: literacy