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G2S Project Code: 2020-WI-86764
State: Wisconsin
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
WINDING RIVERS LIBRARY SYSTEM

Project Director
Director Name: Cindy Fesemyer
Director Phone: 608-266-8053
Director Email: Cindy.Fesemyer@dpi.wi.gov
General Information
Title: Community Engagement Statewide Training
State Project Code: 2021 - 329940 - DPI - Comm - 251
Start Date: 07/01/2020
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: The Winding Rivers Library System contracted with a third-party consultant to provide a statewide community engagement training. The contracted consulting group, Thriving Libraries, continued training Coaches in leadership techniques and Teams in development of their engagement projects. Building capacity for statewide community engagement activities through the coaches and community engagement teams that are participating in the training.
State Goal: Community Engagement
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$125,100.00
$0.00
$0.00
$125,100.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' ability to converse in community conversations around topics of concern.
Continuing Education and Staff Development
Outreach & Partnerships
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Virtual programming for community engagement learning cohort
Narrative: 36 coaches and team members from 14 counties in 12 different library systems were selected to participate in the Wisconsin Libraries Transforming Communities program.  Teams consisted of a library staff member as well as one or two community partners, such as individuals from schools, health departments, or non profits organizations. Participants engaged in a series of virtual workshops, in which they learned from presenters and each other through webinars, break-out room discussions, and digital collaboration tools.  The purpose of these trainings was to develop skills and strategies to identify community needs, wants and aspirations; plan and carry out programs and/or services in response to community engagement knowledge with a particular focus on addressing the needs of people who are typically under-served; measure the success of those activities; and work with the community to translate results into a community narrative.
Intent: Improve users' ability to converse in community conversations around topics of concern.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 28
Average number in attendance per session: 36
Number of times program administered: 1


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


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: APPLETON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 225 N. ONEIDA ST.
City: APPLETON
State: WI
Zip: 54911
Name: BREWER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 325 N. CENTRAL AVE.
City: RICHLAND CENTER
State: WI
Zip: 53581
Name: BRODHEAD MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1207 25TH ST.
City: BRODHEAD
State: WI
Zip: 53520
Name: FRANKLIN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 9151 W. LOOMIS RD.
City: FRANKLIN
State: WI
Zip: 53132
Name: IFLS LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 1538 Truax Boulevard
City: Eau Claire
State: WI
Zip: 54703-1569
Name: KENOSHA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 812 56TH ST.
City: KENOSHA
State: WI
Zip: 53141
Name: L.E. PHILLIPS MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 400 EAU CLAIRE ST.
City: EAU CLAIRE
State: WI
Zip: 54701
Name: LAKE GENEVA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 918 W. MAIN ST.
City: LAKE GENEVA
State: WI
Zip: 53147
Name: MARINETTE COUNTY CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE
Address: 1700 HALL AVE.
City: MARINETTE
State: WI
Zip: 54143
Name: MILWAUKEE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 814 W. WISCONSIN AVE.
City: MILWAUKEE
State: WI
Zip: 53233
Name: MONONA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1000 NICHOLS RD.
City: MONONA
State: WI
Zip: 53716
Name: OREGON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 256 BROOK ST.
City: OREGON
State: WI
Zip: 53575
Name: PLATTEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 65 S. ELM ST.
City: PLATTEVILLE
State: WI
Zip: 53818
Name: PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 130 DIVISION ST.
City: PLYMOUTH
State: WI
Zip: 53073
Name: WAUKESHA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 321 WISCONSIN AVE.
City: WAUKESHA
State: WI
Zip: 53186
Name: WINDING RIVERS LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 980 W. Hwy 16, Suite 1
City: West Salem
State: WI
Zip: 54669
Name: WINNECONNE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 31 S. SECOND ST.
City: WINNECONNE
State: WI
Zip: 54986
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Mini-grants for Community Engagement Projects
Narrative: Each Wisconsin Libraries Transforming Communities team received a $2,000.00 mini-grant to implement community projects.  Team members applied what they were learning by taking a deep dive into community engagement, convening a mix of virtual and, when possible, in-person focus groups, community meetings, surveys, and conversations, as well as planning and executing their projects. Projects included policy development with community input, a video series highlighting a diverse array of community leaders, dual language storytimes, improving internet access, and public art projects.  Funds were spent on items such as AV equipment, marketing materials, books for a community read, art supplies, and staff time.
Intent: Improve users' ability to converse in community conversations around topics of concern.

Activity: Content
Mode: Other
Format: Combined physical & digital
Other: The 12 participating libraries were each granted a $2,000 mini-grant to implement community engagement projects in their communities.


Quantity


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


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: BREWER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 325 N. CENTRAL AVE.
City: RICHLAND CENTER
State: WI
Zip: 53581
Name: BRODHEAD MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1207 25TH ST.
City: BRODHEAD
State: WI
Zip: 53520
Name: FRANKLIN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 9151 W. LOOMIS RD.
City: FRANKLIN
State: WI
Zip: 53132
Name: KENOSHA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 812 56TH ST.
City: KENOSHA
State: WI
Zip: 53141
Name: L.E. PHILLIPS MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 400 EAU CLAIRE ST.
City: EAU CLAIRE
State: WI
Zip: 54701
Name: LAKE GENEVA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 918 W. MAIN ST.
City: LAKE GENEVA
State: WI
Zip: 53147
Name: MARINETTE COUNTY CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE
Address: 1700 HALL AVE.
City: MARINETTE
State: WI
Zip: 54143
Name: MONONA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1000 NICHOLS RD.
City: MONONA
State: WI
Zip: 53716
Name: OREGON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 256 BROOK ST.
City: OREGON
State: WI
Zip: 53575
Name: PLATTEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 65 S. ELM ST.
City: PLATTEVILLE
State: WI
Zip: 53818
Name: PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 130 DIVISION ST.
City: PLYMOUTH
State: WI
Zip: 53073
Name: WAUKESHA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 321 WISCONSIN AVE.
City: WAUKESHA
State: WI
Zip: 53186
Question 1: I am satisfied that the resource is meeting library needs.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: Applying the resource will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Participants highly valued the Wisconsin Libraries Transforming Communities program, even despite a shift to a completely virtual experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All participants are interested in continuing their community engagement skill development and are committed to developing a community of practice with their colleagues in other Wisconsin libraries to create a foundation to continue community engagement work. The program built resilience among the cohort as they learned and connected with each other through a period of often difficult external circumstances due to the pandemic. Community engagement projects completed by the participants allowed community members in 12 Wisconsin communities to share aspirations and needs in their communities, and come together to improve issues of concern where they live.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
DPI made a significant investment in the WTLC program, and the high level of satisfaction among participants, their desire to share knowledge with others and continue community engagement work, and the impact across the state suggest future community engagement training would be worth the investment.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
While the all-virtual program was necessary for the 2020-2021 program, participants and trainers agreed that some face-to-face interactions throughout the program time would be preferable. A Community Engagement 101 course for coaches in advance of the program would be helpful, and if possible, pairing one coach per team would allow for a more manageable workload and focus for coaches.
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: