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G2S Project Code: 2020-NM-86251
State: New Mexico
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
New Mexico State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Joy Poole
Director Phone: 505-476-9712
Director Email: Joy.Poole@state.nm.us
General Information
Title: Rural Services
State Project Code: 601266
Start Date: 10/01/2020
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: The New Mexico State Library provides direct library services statewide to rural and under-served populations.  The Rural Services program provides these library services by operating three bookmobile programs and a books-by-mail program. All of the programs have an online catalog and facebook social media site.  In addition, all the bookmobiles now have Internet capabilities as a result of installing roof top - collapsible satellite dishes made possible through the federal E-Rate program for Category 2 subsidies - Internal Computer equipment upgrades.
State Goal: LBPH & Rural Services
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$849,489.91
$0.00
$0.00
$849,489.91
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Reading Program (Summer Reading)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Direct Library Services
Narrative: The Rural Bookmobile Program, established in 1956, provides life-long learning opportunities by offering library services to citizens living in rural areas of New Mexico without access to public libraries.  Direct Library Services to rural New Mexico patrons are delivered through three bookmobiles and the Books-by-Mail program.

The State Library operates three bookmobiles that provide information and services to patrons in under served and rural communities.  Each bookmobile carries up to 4,000 volumes and travels a monthly route of regularly scheduled stops to the rural communities in the region.  There are 2,298 registered library cardholders with the Bookmobile Programs who have access to 57,688 books/items.

Books-by-Mail is a book delivery service offered to rural residents of New Mexico who do not live near a public library or Bookmobile stop.  The service is also available to individuals in New Mexico who are home-bound because of a physical disability and unable to visit a local library or people who can only read large print books due to a visual disability.  The books are mailed to the user and are returned to the requesting patron when returned by another patron.  Books-by-Mail services 525 registered households statewide with 222 active households requesting 6393 books from a collection of 28, 081 items which includes a large print collection.


Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Combined physical & digital


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 18,964
Average number of items circulated / month: 747
Total number of ILL transactions: 34
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 3


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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
During the past twelve months during the Covid-19 pandemic, the three bookmobiles have collectively served 23 counties with 99 stops per month with a collection of 57,688 books, audio, and video items. This year the bookmobiles traveled approximately 29,354 miles, an average of 2440 miles with the three bookmobiles. This mileage is only for eight months months, as the restrictions for COVID-19 did not allow for travel the remaining year. The Rural Services staff continue to enter new books in Koha our Integrated Library Services (ILS) catalog. This year, all bookmobile library materials are online and patrons will be able to place holds for these to be delivered at their monthly bookmobile stop. During the 2021 LSTA period 2298 active patrons received 9,890 library materials circulated through the following three bookmobiles: East – Tucumcari 959; Northeast – Cimarron 7,860; West – Los Lunas 1,071. The three bookmobile offices continued the delivery of rural library services via books by mail and e books during COVID-19 to our patrons. 199 bookmobile patrons have received books by mail through the bookmobile program with a circulation of 786 books. 457 bookmobile patrons signed up for e books with a circulation of 2326. Our Northeast Bookmobile office has continued story hour on Facebook. Storytime was a big hit on Facebook showing an average of 150+ views. Beyond this, the NM State Library was awarded an Erate application to install fiber to our Los Lunas bookmobile office thus now all of our remote bookmobile offices have high speed broadband with upgraded equipment. Our original Books-by-Mail program headquartered at the New Mexico State Library was able to serve patrons continuously throughout the year without interruption in services. As many of our employees began to telework, our singular staff member in Books-by-Mail was able to remain onsite four days a week filling orders for library materials. Total registered households equal 525. 222 active households registered in the Books-by-Mail program have requested 5,962 paperbacks via an online and/or paper catalog from Oct. 1. 2020 - Sept. 30, 2021. The total number of books in the Books by Mail program total 28,081. A Books by Mail patron in Cubero commented, “I’m an 88 year old widow living alone. Been bookmobile patron many years. Now the bookmobiles can’t come. During this Covid19 pandemic I’ve been “sheltering at home.” Thankfully you accepted me as a new patron of Books By Mail. My first order arrived quickly. Teresa Martinez registered me and was very helpful.”
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The three bookmobiles are now able to check books in and out via an ON-LINE circulation system with an internet connection through a Satellite installation. The availability of broadband throughout rural New Mexico remains a challenge still we continue to take advantage of Satellite capabilities through the E-Rate program in an effort to bring the library services of the bookmobiles into the 21st century. ANECDOTES FROM RURAL SERVICES: Bookmobile NE "You all do a wonderful job under these circumstances. You continue to check on us and make sure we have what we need," from a patron in Penasco. Bookmobile West "Thank you for providing me reading materials these past years. Without your valuable service and friendship living in the rural area of Quemado [Pop. 177] wouId not have been bearable. we have re-located to Silver City, NM but you remain in my heart" A patron from Quemado, NM.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The bookmobiles are costly to run but extremely well received in the communities they serve. Although the rural population of NM continues to decline, this is one of the few leisure opportunities these rural residents receive and are very appreciative to receive it. Bookmobile staff have to be well trained and well versed on trouble shooting issues on the bus when breakdowns or warning lights occur since cell service is not dependable for contacting supervisors for guidance and rescue assistance.
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: Direct Services, Rural Services, Reference Library