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G2S Project Code: 2020-GA-86231
State: Georgia
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
Georgia Public Library Service

Project Director
Director Name: Patricia Herndon
Director Phone: 404-235-7155
Director Email: pherndon@georgialibraries.org
General Information
Title: GLS: Georgia Library Services for the Blind and Print Disabled
State Project Code: GA98146-30
Start Date: 10/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: In July 2021, GLASS officially changed its name and updated its logo and branding materials. Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (GLS) is Georgia’s talking book and braille library. GLS serves eligible patrons who have vision or physical impairment that prevent them from being able to see the printed word, hold a book and turn the page or understand and interpret the printed word due to organic brain dysfunction. GLS serves the entire state of Georgia through the lending of digital book cartridges or the provision of access to the NLS BARD system. 

GLS continues its collaboration with Benetech to provide Bookshare resources to all eligible readers not already served by Bookshare resources in an educational setting. GLS contracts with Utah for provision of embossed braille circulation. Even with the continued challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, GLS has continued to offer adaptive library programming to its patrons including library activities that range from a spoken word event, iPhone classes, peer support groups, and a variety of telephone-based books clubs. The library also operates a recording studio that produces narrated audiobooks of local interest to Georgia, which GLS staff can upload to the NLS BARD collection. This service is on hiatus during the pandemic, though we continue to record our newsletter.

The big news this year is that GLS has moved back into its newly renovated space at Fulton County Public Library’s Central Branch. The doors did not open to the public until after this grant period, though library services overall never faltered. 

State Goal: Access
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$680,277.55
$547,248.97
$0.00
$1,227,526.52
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.
Literacy
Activities
Activity Details
Title: GLS Recording Studio
Narrative:

GLS creates its own accessible reading material through its operation of the GLS Recording Studio. This year, due to the impact of COVID and to efforts related to moving from temporary space to the new permanent home, the recording studio saw very little use this year.  GLS Outreach used the recording studio to record an audio version of the GLS quarterly newsletter, HourGLS. This recording is uploaded to YouTube and is linked to the GLS website.

Digital audiobooks, previously created by GLS were downloaded 232 times in FY21 by talking book patrons and libraries across the NLS network of libraries, a  moderate decrease over last year’s usage of GLS recorded content.


Intent: Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Digital


Quantity
Number of items digitized: 4
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 4
Number of physical items: 4
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: Yes
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: All Ages
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
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: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: low vision


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 1

Activity Details
Title: GLS Distribution Center
Narrative:

The GLS Distribution Center has functioned well this year. Through a combination of NLS provided equipment and software and an interface with the ILS KLAS (Keystone Library Automation System), a customized cartridge holding as many as ten titles per cartridge is created for  and mailed to patrons. KLAS keeps a list of titles in a queue for patrons, such that when a cartridge is returned a new cartridge is created. In cooperation with reader advisors, patrons can set parameters for their service. Though the service suffers from a dysfunctional United States Postal Service, lending has remained robust throughout this first full year of transition to the Duplication on Demand service model. In addition to physical lending, GLS sponsors and supports BARD lending and Bookshare lending. 


Intent: Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Physical


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 572,959
Average number of items circulated / month: 47,747
Total number of ILL transactions: 366
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 31


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: Yes
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: All Ages
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
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: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: Low vision


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 407
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 1

Activity Details
Title: GLS Atlanta
Narrative:

Staff at GLS Atlanta provide a range of library services via the telephone, e-mail and social media. In normal years staff assist walk-in patrons, but this year they did not.  At the beginning of FY21, the library was closed to the public due to COVID-19 considerations. By the summer, the library continued to be closed to patrons due to the move back to Central Branch. However, staff continued to  provide virtual reference assistance, information & referral, and programming. Though COVID impacted all of these services, with a creative and energetic staff GLS continued to both assist patrons and provide remote programming. 

This year GLS staff served 11,112 patrons. Of those patrons, 3537 are registered BARD users and 273 are enrolled in the PINES -GLS partnership program to borrow large print items. Reader Advisors answered 13,813  calls from patrons. GLS hosted 45 programs, with 448 participants. Programs included:  Peer Support, Assistive Technology Class, Male BookClub, Make the Connection Book club, For Grown Folks only Bookclub and the children’s summer reading program. The highlighted virtual event was the June 2021 Spoken Word program where participants read aloud their own works such as poetry or short stories or read from their favorite authors.  It was a remarkably uplifting experience.


Intent: Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Other
Format: Combined in-person & virtual
Other: Help with library resources, reference questions, programs


Quantity


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: Yes
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: All Ages
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
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: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: Low vision library users


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 407
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 2

Activity Details
Title: GLS Outreach
Narrative:

Georgia Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (GLS) relies upon making sure that everyone in the state is aware that the services are available to print impaired Georgians. As the NLS talking book program serves persons with vision impairment and functional disability which are most often age acquired, there is an ever changing, ever growing set of individuals who need to be informed of GLS services. The goals for GLS outreach are to educate and inform those individuals about our program through strong interaction with Georgia’s public library system and through partnerships with key agencies that also serve persons with print impairment, such as centers for independent living, aging & senior service organizations and rehabilitation service providers. Additionally, the outreach team goes into communities to talk to groups that may benefit from learning about the GLS program and resources. This year outreach focused on rebranding our program and updating all of our collateral materials. 



Intent: Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Combined in-person & virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 60
Number of presentations/performances administered: 85
Average number in attendance per session: 29


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: Yes
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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 407
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 8

Activity Details
Title: Georgia Accessibility Virtual Conference
Narrative: In March 2021, GLS hosted its first virtual version of the Georgia Accessibility Conference, with participants from libraries across the state.  The slate of presenters covered topics ranging from accommodating people with mental health issues, hearing impairments, vision impairments and more.

The Georgia Accessibility Conference is a three day event during which experts on a variety of topics related to library services to people with disabilities are explored.  This year, due to the impact of COVID, the conference was held virtually. This provided two advantages.  It allowed many more people to attend and view the presentations.  It also allowed us to gather speakers from around the country due to the economy afforded by presenting virtually.  In some ways it was a bit more challenging to arrange, but lead to a much greater impact as far as how many people were exposed to the new information.  The topics this year focused on meeting the needs of library patrons with mental health issues with a presentation from staff at the State Library of California, with hearing impairments and vision impairments.  Participants heard from Georgia's State ADA Coordinator.  They enjoyed watching a recreation of a virtual adult program during which a blind presenter showed how she prepares meals with a live cooking demonstration.  One program focused on a project out of Denver Public Library in which there is an Older Adult Services librarian whose duties are synonymous with those of a children's librarian.  Participants learned about how librarians from NYPL Heiskell Library  share spatial information, such as maps,  with people with vision impairment using 3-D technology.   They also heard from a Professor from University of Maryland on how one library assessed its services to people with disabilities.  

The live virtual conference had 293 registrants and delivered over 1182 hours of CE credits to library staff across Georgia. After the conference, all of the recorded videos were loaded into the GPLS Learning Center Niche Academy where they have been viewed 67 times, awarding another 67 hours of continuing education credits.  


Intent: Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 60
Number of presentations/performances administered: 10
Average number in attendance per session: 293


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: Yes
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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 407
Academic Libraries: 1
SLAA: 2
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 8
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Outreach is an essential element of GLS library services. Without adequate outreach residents of Georgia may not know about our services and the resources that are available to people with print disabilities. COVID forced the program to modify its strategies for outreach including moving to virtual programming. This year as librarians tried to work while their libraries were closed to customers continuing education courses in our learning management system, Niche Academy was heavily engaged. The GLS continuing education courses include an Introduction to GLS, an InDepth Look at GLS Services and an InDepth Look at Assistive Technology Tool Kits and a course on Downloading Books from BARD.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Our efforts for next year will focus on our new branding, our newly opened public space and our new emphasis on outreach. FY22 will be a time of rebuilding as we have adjusted in FY21 to new technology, new space and new staff.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Let technology be your friend when adapting to new demands such as virtual library services. However, remember that not all patrons can deal with technology. Library staff must be available to talk to patrons and to offer them the simplest, lowest tech solutions to their need for access to information and leisure materials. GLS staff has done this. The team adjusted to a service model change, dealt with the move of the public service location and as staff swiftly adapted to working from home. They also learned to use a new phone system that collects an incredible amount of data. As was the last, this has been quite a year!
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: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: Talking book library; Library for Blind; NLS library; Bookshare; Recording Studio