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G2S Project Code: 2021-IL-87879
State: Illinois
Fiscal Year: 2021
Grantee
BLUE ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Mike Byrne
Director Phone: 708-388-1078
Director Email: mbyrne@blueislandlibrary.org
General Information
Title: MATCH: Computer Lab Update
State Project Code: MATCH: 22-5015-RTR
Start Date: 10/01/2021
End Date: 09/30/2022
Abstract: Through the Computer Lab Update, the Blue Island Public Library improved access for residents of Blue Island and the surrounding communities as they utilized the library’s resources to research information, applied for jobs, promoted their businesses, attended webinars, and participated in continual learning activities. The Coronavirus outbreak revealed the critical role public libraries had to provide continual access to Internet connected computers and devices.  Since many students, workers, and independent learners were forced to shift from in-person to online, the availability of sufficient computers and network devices became more important than ever.

State Goal: Goal 1: Access to Information and Ideas.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$0.00
$20,500.00
$0.00
$20,500.00
Intent(s)
Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.
Systems & Technologies
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Public Access Computers
Narrative: The library’s formal Technology Plan states that our goal is to keep our public computers no older than five years old. Budget constraints have become more demanding with each year, and our public adult computers (bought in 2012) were nine years old. Through this project, the goal was to replace adult public computers. This began by creating a minimum set of specifications for the new machines: name brand, at least 20" screens, Core i3/i5 processors, 8GB of RAM, and solid state drives around 250GB.. Another goal was to replace two network switches being utilized in the same area with 16-port gigabit managed network switches. Quotes were requested from three sources and compared to common online retailers to get the best prices.  Finally the new computers were set up in the library’s public lab while the old computers were re-purposed into the youth department.

Blue Island is located in Illinois Congressional District 1. According to the most specific (congressional level) data available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the latest year available, 20% of the households in this district received assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, with 45.9% of those in the poverty level based on annual household income. Residents rely on the public library to meet their technology needs.

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: 22
Number of acquired hardware items used: 22
Number of software items acquired: 0
Number of acquired software items used: 0
Number of materials/supplies acquired: 0
Number of acquired materials/supplies used: 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: BLUE ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 2433 YORK STREET
City: BLUE ISLAND
State: IL
Zip: 60406
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Overall computer usage increased by 20% as the speed of the new computers increased.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The new computers had an immediate and direct impact on job seekers, small business owners, students, and lifelong learners in the Blue Island and surrounding communities.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The new computers were promoted via the library's website, newsletters, and social media in order to attract more computer users to 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: computers, pandemic recovery