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G2S Project Code: 2020-OH-86536
State: Ohio
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
WORTHINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Susan Allen
Director Phone: 614-807-2600
Director Email: sallen@worthingtonlibraries.org
General Information
Title: American Sign Language (ASL) Storytimes
State Project Code: V-7-21
Start Date: 04/01/2021
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: The Worthington Public Library system increased essential early literacy skills among deaf and hard of hearing children ages 3-5 (preschool) through a series of ASL Story-time videos presented online via YouTube. The library increased the capacity of Ohio public libraries to serve deaf and hard of hearing children, and exposed children to American Sign Language through these online story-times. The Worthington Public Library partnered with the Ohio Citizens for Deaf Cultures on this project. 
State Goal: Learning: Engaging and Empowering Learning Experiences
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$2,886.00
$0.00
$0.00
$2,886.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Digital Literacy
Early Literacy
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Content creation
Narrative: 7 ASL Storytime videos were created as a result of this grant project.  Stories included "I Promise" (James), "There’s A Giraffe in My Soup" (Burach), "We Don’t Eat Our Classmates" (Higgins), "Lola Loves Stories" (McQuinn), Natsumi (Lendroth), "Fry Bread" (Maillard), and "Jabari Tries" (Cornwall).
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Digital


Quantity
Number of items digitized: 7
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 7
Number of physical items: 0
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 0
Number of plans/frameworks: 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: 0-5 years
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: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: WORTHINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 820 HIGH ST
City: WORTHINGTON
State: OH
Zip: 43085
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Seven age-appropriate stories were read in English and ASL, recorded, and made available online (YouTube). Copies of the books were added to the collections of Worthington Libraries and the Ohio School for the Deaf Library. Stories included "I Promise" (James), "There’s A Giraffe in My Soup" (Burach), "We Don’t Eat Our Classmates" (Higgins), "Lola Loves Stories" (McQuinn), Natsumi (Lendroth), "Fry Bread" (Maillard), and "Jabari Tries" (Cornwall).
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Deaf and hard of hearing children are a traditionally underserved population for public libraries. This project assists public libraries in their efforts to reach deaf and hard of hearing children through a series of story-times recorded in American Sign Language (ASL) and English made available online. Data regarding the number of deaf and hard of hearing children living in Ohio is difficult to locate. The State Summary Report of Data from the 2009-2010 Annual Survey of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Youth, the most recent survey published by the Gallaudet Research Institute indicated that there were 518 Deaf children aged 3-17 living in Ohio. A body of research exists that shows a positive correlation between public library story-times and children’s outcomes in early literacy. Additionally, the American Society for Deaf Children cites research, which “shows that reading and signing stories together helps promote essential literacy skills for ALL children: deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing.”
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Making ASL Story-times broadly accessible to deaf and hard of hearing children throughout Ohio is one way to help these children achieve greater success in early literacy.
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: Yes
Exemplary NarrativeThis project exemplifies the importance of partnerships, remaining vigilant to the community and their needs, and providing an innovative version on an "old concept" such as story-times.
Project Tags: asl; early literacy; partnerships