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G2S Project Code: 2021-IL-87693
State: Illinois
Fiscal Year: 2021
Grantee
Burbank School District #111

Project Director
Director Name: Kristi Mueller
Director Phone: 708-496-0500
Director Email: kmueller@bsd111.org
General Information
Title: ARPA-Safe Library Space Program
State Project Code: ARPA-22-5031-RTR
Start Date: 10/01/2021
End Date: 09/30/2022
Abstract: Through the Safe Library Space Program, two school libraries at Burbank School District #111 were modified in response to and recovery from the pandemic.  This project focused on restoration of the library’s capacity to operate and created clean, safe spaces in the Rosa G. Maddock School and Richard E. Byrd School libraries for students returning to school.  The school district operated at limited capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic and was closed entirely for several weeks.  The safety of students and teachers was an ongoing concern.  Restoration of in-person classes required adherence to guidelines regarding social distancing, mask-wearing, proper sanitation, and disinfecting common and high-traffic areas.  Flexible shelving allowed the library environment to be safely arranged for family events such as family reading nights, special class research projects, and the return to class checkout times. 

State Goal: Goal 1: Access to Information and Ideas.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$50,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$50,000.00
Intent(s)
Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.
Library Infrastructure & Capacity
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Flexible Shelving
Narrative: Burbank School District 111 ultimately wanted to provide its students and families a clean, organized, safe, school library space to visit with utmost confidence that their health and safety was the top priority.  Two school libraries were the focus for this project:  Richard E. Byrd and Rosa Maddock. Rosa Maddock School has approximately 300 students, 85% low income, and 35 staff with an average class size of 24 students. Richard Byrd School has approximately 250 students, 75% low income and 30 staff, with an average class size of 26 students.

This program provided safe book and library material access to all students, staff, and families, which allowed adequate space for safe visits and the resources to reopen and restore regular library operations. The replacement of old and outdated metal book shelving with new flexible and maneuverable shelving allowed children of all ages to individually access their materials without requiring assistance and risk.  Smaller library shelving and seating allowed more space for the students and staff to maintain safe distances and to safely access library materials. This flexible shelving also allowed the library environment to be safely arranged for family events such as family reading nights, special class research projects, and the return to class checkout times.  The most important improvement this project allowed was for library patrons to access all the materials needed with safe and healthy distance.

Intent: Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.

Activity: Procurement
Mode:
Format:


Quantity
Number of equipment acquired: 0
Number of acquired equipment used: 0
Number of hardware items acquired: 0
Number of acquired hardware items used: 0
Number of software items acquired: 0
Number of acquired software items used: 0
Number of materials/supplies acquired: 103
Number of acquired materials/supplies used: 103


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: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Suburban
For what age groups: 6-12 years
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: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Richard E. Byrd School
Address: 8259 S Lavergne
City: Burbank
State: IL
Zip: 60459
Name: Rosa G. Maddock School
Address: 8258 Sayre
City: Burbank
State: IL
Zip: 60459
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Students and teachers utilized the library spaces to its fullest potential which included regular class time in the library for checking out materials, library focused grade level research projects, and family time in the library.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The most important outcome was the school district opened with a safe and healthy environment in the libraries.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Students and/or visitors had enough space to maintain a 3 foot distance. Because of the flexible shelving, students and/or visitors were able to access library materials without having to climb the book shelf or ask for 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: flexible shelving, COVID, social distancing