View Project

G2S Project Code: 2021-TX-89247
State: Texas
Fiscal Year: 2021
Grantee
DALLAS PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Heather Lowe
Director Phone: 214-670-1635
Director Email: heather.lowe@dallascityhall.com
General Information
Title: Music Equity
State Project Code: SPP-22004
Start Date: 09/01/2021
End Date: 08/31/2022
Abstract: The Dallas Public Library launched a Music Equity Program providing access to music education and musical instruments targeted to neighborhoods with low-income families and high percentages of people of color. The library purchased and distributed instruments to provide instruction to youth aged 6-17 at 3 locations. Through 274 group music lessons and recitals, the Dallas Public Library exposed 2,977 children, plus adults and seniors to stringed instruments, group play, and performance.


State Goal: Goal 3: Access to library services for early literacy, digital literacy, and lifelong learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$34,183.38
$0.00
$0.00
$34,183.38
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Group Music Lessons
Narrative: The Dallas Public Library successfully conducted 274 events including music classes and recitals for students. Lessons were offered at three library branches with recitals to close out each round of classes. 

In all, the library purchased 261 instruments, including 4 upright basses, 30 acoustic guitars, 6 cellos, 36 ukuleles, 145 violins, and 40 keyboards.

The library transported instruments between the different training sites. Initially, each training site was to house their own instruments, but the library ran into supply chain issues when ordering the instruments which necessitated the creation of a process for transporting instruments between different training sites. 
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 45
Number of sessions in program: 274
Average number in attendance per session: 11
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: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
For what age groups: 6-12 years
13-17 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
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: DALLAS PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1515 YOUNG ST
City: DALLAS
State: TX
Zip: 75201
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: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
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:
Parents were very interested in learning alongside their children.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Incorporating an opportunity for family learning could grow this program even further and provide opportunities for reaching non-library users, or engaging adult library users in a new way.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
When launching a music equity program, start small with an exploratory program prior to making larger financial or time investments. Upkeep and storage of the instruments should be considered before making large purchases. Dallas Public Library mentioned areas such as tuning, stringing, and providing rosin in each case. This is a large budget project with many facets and should be carefully planned before investments of time and money are made. When teaching classes, instructors have found it is helpful to stress to students this is "their class," not the instructors teaching them. This helps students get comfortable with the musical tools and let the music take them in any direction they have. Based on the library's experience, the following this should be considered when ordering instruments: 1. Durability of the instruments 2. User reviews of instruments being considered 3. Having enough additional strings, rosin, etc. 4. The ages and sizes of the students 5. Giving enough lead time from ordering to when instruments are delivered, set up, and ready for student use. The following should also be considered in class design and preparation: 1. Ensuring you have specific lesson plans that contain stated goals, have the proper materials and instruments required, there is a procedure, and you have a process for evaluation of each student. 2. Ensuring you have sufficiently trained music staff 3. Making sure the space for lessons to occur in is adequate 4. You have the appropriate storage space and conditions for program instruments.
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: Yes
Exemplary NarrativeThe Dallas Public Library's Music Equity program ran into several obstacles due to supply chain issues, but was still successful in providing music lessons on keyboard, guitar, and violin to low-income families in their community. Internally, they were able to overcome instrument shortage issues by developing a way to transport the instruments they did have between branches to be available for classes. They also learned a lot of valuable information about instrument upkeep and storage for those wishing to launch similar programs. Outwardly, the music lessons were very popular and they saw students completing the 15-week courses with confidence in their newly developed skills and the ability to perform in a recital. Parents accompanying students expressed interest in learning alongside their children providing an avenue for program expansion. Dallas Public Library clearly identified a need and interest in their community and created a well-developed program with positive outcomes to respond to that need.
Project Tags: Music lessons, youth, access