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G2S Project Code: 2021-MD-88331
State: Maryland
Fiscal Year: 2021
Grantee
Maryland State Library Agency

Project Director
Director Name: Tamar Sarnoff
Director Phone: 667-219-4802
Director Email: tamar.sarnoff@maryland.gov
General Information
Title: ARPA: Mobile Libraries
State Project Code: Subgrants
Start Date: 07/01/2021
End Date: 04/30/2023
Abstract: During the COVID-19 Pandemic, many public libraries were closed. It was during this time that library leaders realized that they needed to be able to expand their services to be relevant and to respond to the needs of the communities they serve. Because many services were only available virtually, the need for outreach vehicles to provide Wi-Fi and library services and resources increased dramatically in all regions of the state, but especially in 14 rural counties in Western (Appalachia), the Eastern Shore, and Southern Maryland.
For some library systems, this was their first Mobile Library. For others, the library vehicles replaced aging bookmobiles and outreach vans. ARPA funds supported the purchase of four 30' vehicles and nine "sprinter" van vehicles, and one motorized bicycle. In total, 1 outreach vehicle was refurbished and 13 outreach vehicle grants were awarded to 14 different library systems throughout Maryland making it the largest purchase ever of library vehicles in a single grant cycle.



State Goal: Statewide Initiative: Institutional Capacity
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$1,711,550.95
$0.00
$1,641.00
$1,713,191.95
Intent(s)
Improve library operations.
Library Infrastructure & Capacity
Outreach & Partnerships
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Researching and Buying ARPA Outreach Vehicles
Narrative: The Maryland public library systems that had grants approved for vehicles met a few times as a group facilitated by staff at the Maryland State Library Agency. While it was hoped that purchasing efficiencies could be found because of the many different levels of county administration and oversight this was not possible. While each public library system had to go through a different process to research, select, and purchase an outreach vehicle, sharing strategies proved helpful for many systems.
Intent: Improve library operations.

Activity: Procurement
Mode:
Format:


Quantity
Number of equipment acquired: 13
Number of acquired equipment used: 13
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: 1
Number of acquired materials/supplies used: 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: Yes
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: ALLEGANY COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 31 WASHINGTON ST
City: CUMBERLAND
State: MD
Zip: 21502
Name: ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 5 HARRY S. TRUMAN PARKWAY
City: ANNAPOLIS
State: MD
Zip: 21401
Name: BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 320 YORK ROAD
City: TOWSON
State: MD
Zip: 21204
Name: CARROLL COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1100 GREEN VALLEY ROAD
City: NEW WINDSOR
State: MD
Zip: 21776
Name: CHARLES COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 2 GARRETT AVENUE
City: LA PLATA
State: MD
Zip: 20646
Name: FREDERICK COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Address: 110 EAST PATRICK STREET
City: FREDERICK
State: MD
Zip: 21701
Name: HARFORD COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1221-A BRASS MILL ROAD
City: BELCAMP
State: MD
Zip: 21017
Name: HOWARD COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 9411 Frederick Road
City: ELLICOTT CITY
State: MD
Zip: 21042
Name: MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Address: 21 MARYLAND AVE., SUITE 310
City: ROCKVILLE
State: MD
Zip: 20850
Name: QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY FREE LIBRARY
Address: 121 S COMMERCE STREET
City: CENTREVILLE
State: MD
Zip: 21617
Name: ST. MARY'S COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 23250 HOLLYWOOD ROAD
City: LEONARDTOWN
State: MD
Zip: 20650
Name: WASHINGTON COUNTY FREE LIBRARY
Address: 100 SOUTH POTOMAC STREET
City: HAGERSTOWN
State: MD
Zip: 21740
Name: WICOMICO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 122 SOUTH DIVISION STREET
City: SALISBURY
State: MD
Zip: 21801
Name: WORCESTER COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 307 N WASHINGTON STREET
City: SNOW HILL
State: MD
Zip: 21863
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Seventeen counties will now have mobile libraries. Seven of these counties are getting mobile libraries for the first time or for the first time in many years. Before ARPA funding, the county population served by mobile libraries was 45% (2,719,412). After ARPA funding, 82% of Marylanders (4,956,919) live in counties providing mobile services, which shows an increase of 182% in the number of residents living in counties served by mobile libraries. Early in the planning process, the SLAA coordinated meetings with grantees to provide training on issues and concerns in purchasing vehicles, determine if any bulk purchasing could be made, and create a forum for grantees to talk about their experiences and share best practices.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Justifications for mobile library purchasing displayed the diversity of needs across the state. One system, Queen Anne's County, was going to use the new vehicle to bring library services to migrant agricultural workers in the north part of the county. Other counties (Wicomico and Howard) purchased vehicles to support STEM and experiential learning in their communities. The information gleaned from the application of funds informs the agency about demographic and funding trends around the state. While the goal of bulk purchasing was not achieved, coordinating meetings with like programs has been integrated into other grant timelines, as it provides a network of like projects that can share metrics for success and a peer network of support.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Supply chain issues during and after the pandemic slowed down vehicle ordering and delivery. The bureaucracy of some public library system counties also made it difficult to order and purchase vehicles. For example, Montgomery County has a countywide rule that all new vehicles purchased need to be electric which slowed down their purchasing process.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
No
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: Yes
Exemplary NarrativeWith the IMLS/ARPA funds, MSLA was able to prioritize addressing changing customer behaviors when digital and mobility infrastructures have not been able to keep pace. By providing initial funds to library systems, counties were able to raise the remaining funds through state, local, and individual contributions. The purchase of these vehicles has extended access to library services to residents who most need them. Access to services through mobile libraries now connects 82% of residents to library services and resources. An additional 2 million people are now served by county libraries that provide mobile library services.
Project Tags: book mobile, outreach vehicle, library vehicle