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G2S Project Code: 2020-OH-86555
State: Ohio
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
DAYTON METRO LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Megan Cooper
Director Phone: 937-496-8587
Director Email: mcooper@daytonmetrolibrary.org
General Information
Title: Undesign the Redline
State Project Code: VIII-107-21
Start Date: 04/01/2021
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: Dayton Metro Library worked with many partners to bring the nationally touring exhibit Undesign the Redline to the Main Library in downtown Dayton from August 6-September 25, 2021. The exhibit focuses on the use of redlining maps in the 1930s as an explicitly racist mechanism to define desirable/undesirable neighborhoods; the exhibit highlights how those actions created the wealth and opportunity gaps that exist today. The exhibit was localized with content relevant to the Dayton community and then further personalized and made accessible by the hiring of student and adult docents, the production of a video tour element, and the co-hosting of library programs relevant to the themes. With an assumed 13,000 people who benefitted from the residency at the Main Library, the partnership is pleased with the results. The exhibit continues to travel the region, mostly at educational institutions, in hopes to reach the next generation of decision makers. 

State Goal: Content: Discovery of knowledge and cultural heritage
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$4,999.00
$0.00
$0.00
$4,999.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' ability to converse in community conversations around topics of concern.
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Community Concerns
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Undesign the Redline tours and programs
Narrative: Dayton Metro Library worked with many partners to bring the nationally touring exhibit Undesign the Redline to the Main Library in downtown Dayton from August6-September 25, 2021. The exhibit focuses on the use of redlining maps in the1930s as an explicitly racist mechanism to define desirable/undesirable neighborhoods; the exhibit highlights how those actions created the wealth and opportunity gaps that exist today. The exhibit was localized with content relevant to the Dayton community and then further personalized and made accessible by the hiring of student and adult docents, the production of a video tour element, and the co-hosting of library programs relevant to the themes. 
Intent: Improve users' ability to converse in community conversations around topics of concern.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Combined in-person & virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 2
Average number in attendance per session: 25
Number of times program administered: 90


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: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: DAYTON METRO LIBRARY
Address: 215 E. THIRD ST.
City: DAYTON
State: OH
Zip: 45402
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 166
Agree: 59
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 5
Disagree: 5
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 1
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 127
Agree: 85
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 18
Disagree: 3
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 3
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 152
Agree: 55
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 25
Disagree: 2
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 3
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 118
Agree: 70
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 43
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 4
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 191
Agree: 30
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 5
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 2
Non-Response: 8
Activity Details
Title: Acquisition
Narrative: As part of this project, Dayton Metro Library enhanced the collection with copies of the following titles, pertinent to racist mechanism as well as wealth and opportunity gaps that exist today:
  • I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown (12 copies) 

  • The Inner work of Racial Justice by Rhonda V. Magee (12 copies) 

  • Stakes is High: Life after the American Dream by Mychal Denzel Smith (12 copies) 

  • The Antiracist: How to Start the Conversation about Race by Kondwani Fidel (5 copies) 

  • The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein (15 copies) 

  • Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America (12 copies) 

  • The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee (15 copies) 

  • The Whiteness of Wealth by Dorothy A. Brown (15 copies) 

  • Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice that Shapes What We See by Jennifer L. Eberhardt (15 copies) 

  • Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American South by Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. (5 copies) 

  • Race for Profit by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor (15 copies) 


Intent: Improve users' ability to converse in community conversations around topics of concern.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 168
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 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: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: DAYTON METRO LIBRARY
Address: 215 E. THIRD ST.
City: DAYTON
State: OH
Zip: 45402
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Over 13,000 patrons had passive engagement, and over 2,000 experienced active engagement with the lessons of the exhibit. Our survey results (200+ respondents) confirmed positive learning outcomes, even with the acknowledgement that the content was challenging. Overwhelmingly, patrons agreed or strongly agreed that they gained new knowledge, can apply what they learned, and that they would recommend others visit the exhibit. It is also heartening to see equally high responses that they will use other library services and attend future library programs.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
This exhibit was outside the typical Library program with the long-term residency, with extensive work in creating partnerships and the dedicated outreach to welcome group tours. Beyond serving regular library users through casual/passive engagement, the outreach and positive publicity/marketing worked to welcome a new library user who recognized the role of the library as a community convener and trusted destination for information and engagement. Leveraging the assets of the Library for programming, access to an enhanced collection, community gathering, and self-directed learning, this exhibit proved incredibly valuable for the region.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
In recommending other libraries to learn from DML’s experience, the reason this program was such a success was the leveraging of multiple assets. DML’s space, staff and expanded book collection created a foundation for success, but the buy-in and support of community partners from the initial development of the program (and who helped with promotion) was also vital. These partners were proud of their work to bring the exhibit to Dayton and encouraged many visitors to come through to personally experience the exhibit. It was the fact that a large collaboration from across the region were working together to tell this story that it had such impact and reached such a large population.
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 NarrativeDML exemplifies a grantee; communicative, flexible, and passionate. This project gave each reviewer chills - such an important topic to bring to the masses. And highly replicable!
Project Tags: DE&I; access to information