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G2S Project Code: 2021-CO-86936
State: Colorado
Fiscal Year: 2021
Grantee
Fort Lewis College

Project Director
Director Name: Stacey Peters
Director Phone: 970-247-7250
Director Email: slpeters1@fortlewis.edu
General Information
Title: ARPA: Fort Lewis College
State Project Code: 19S0
Start Date: 07/01/2021
End Date: 11/30/2022
Abstract: Fort Lewis College (FLC), in Durango, CO, has a student population of 3,567. This is a minority serving, and Native American serving, non-tribal institution. 13% of students are Hispanic and 34% are Native American. Fort Lewis College is one of few institutions in higher education to offer free tuition to Native American students.

As part of the College’s Students at the Center mission, and as a result of the need for online access to course materials during the pandemic, John F. Reed Library initiated a program to be able to provide all required course texts to all FLC students free of charge, either digitally or for short-term checkout when a digital version was not available. As was highlighted during the pandemic, access to course materials, especially online course materials, when in-person classes did not convene, became an imperative. 

This effort also addresses equity of access to learning materials among FLC students, an issue also exacerbated by the pandemic, and aims to provide all students with the learning resources they need to be a successful college student. 



State Goal: Learning for all ages
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$5,500.00
$0.00
$0.00
$5,500.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' formal education.
Education
Collection Development & Management
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Acquisition
Narrative: The library purchased print books, one copy/one user eBooks.
Intent: Improve users' formal education.

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


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: 59
Number of electronic materials acquired: 20
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: Fort Lewis College
Address: 1000 Rim Drive
City: Durango
State: CO
Zip: 81301-3999
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
In a recent survey, students identified the cost of and access to textbooks as an area of concern. Many students surveyed opted not to purchase a textbook for a class due to its cost. As a result, those students might receive a lower grade, experience more stress due to lack of access to the text, or choose not to take a class due to the cost of required course materials. When the pandemic hit, the issue became even more complex. Students who couldn’t afford an online version of course materials were left at a disadvantage in the digital environment created by the pandemic. The first phase of the project, supported by the ARPA grant, focuses on the acquisition of texts required for the College’s general education courses. These classes tend to be at the 100 and 200 level and contain the largest number of students, providing the greatest impact right from the start of the program. The most important outcome of this program is that all students have access to an online version of the required text if it is available. In this way, no matter the makeup of the class, be it in-person, online, or hybrid, all students can access online course materials from anywhere, free of charge.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The launch of the Course Text Purchase Program this fall, with the offering of general education course texts, has already had tangible results. Faculty have been referring students to the Library to find out if their course materials are available. Although it is too soon to calculate formal statistics, Library staff have noticed a significant uptick in the number of students utilizing the course reserve system. Additionally, faculty outside the general education program are already contacting the Library to request their materials be offered through the course text purchase program, as well. Because of the immediate, positive response, and demand for more materials, Reed Library has decided to prioritize the acquisition of course texts beyond general education classes, and provide required course materials for all classes at FLC. Reed Library will provide funding to maintain the program in the future.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Developing a systematic means to identify and confirm the course texts being used by faculty for the courses you would like to provide texts for is important. Use spreadsheets to track the acquisition and text details, and any important communications from faculty. Develop a timeline for maintenance of the program. Staff won’t be able to purchase all new texts for all courses every year. Staff developed a three-year rotation cycle, where they will look at and update the course materials for a certain group of courses every three years, which is what is sustainable for the library.
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: collection development