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G2S Project Code: 2021-NE-89734
State: Nebraska
Fiscal Year: 2021
Grantee
VALLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Sami Stewart
Director Phone: 402-359-9924
Director Email: sstewart@valleyne.org
General Information
Title: ARPA Formula Grant: Valley PL
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2020
End Date: 09/30/2022
Abstract: From sub-recipient: When the COVID-19 pandemic began, many families in our community suddenly found themselves isolated, spending much more time at home, and not knowing where to turn to for current and accurate information on the world in which we live. In an effort to address these needs, we undertook several projects. We began offering weekly take and make craft kits, added to our circulating board game and puzzle collection, added our new storytime at home kits, and updated both our children's and adult non-fiction collections. Since this undertaking, we have given out hundreds of craft kits, seen a rise in our collections that offer fun at home, and have more patrons checking out print non-fiction than ever.
State Goal: Sustainability of Library Programs and Services
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$4,646.00
$0.00
$0.00
$4,646.00
Intent(s)
Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.
Buildings & Facilities
Collection Development & Management
Activities
Activity Details
Title: ARPA Formula Grant: Valley PL
Narrative: Library purchased books, office supplies, games, puzzles, SRP supplies

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: 5
Number of acquired materials/supplies used: 5


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: VALLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 232 N. SPRUCE ST.
City: VALLEY
State: NE
Zip: 68064
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
From sub-recipient: The expected outcomes of this project were two fold. First, we wanted to provide more options for families looking for activities they could do from home while social distancing. Second, we wanted to provide better and more up-to-date information to patrons on a wide variety of topics, to include their health. The outcomes were better than we ever could have expected. Adult patrons have been loving our new non-fiction offerings, particularly those on at-home hobbies and gardening. Families with children have been taking our take and make craft kits just about as quickly as we can put them together, and circulation of our board game/puzzle collection continues to rise. Our story time at home kits have been very popular, and give families the opportunity to participate in librarian crafted story times, without having to worry about social distancing or masking with their small children.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
From sub-recipient: These projects really helped us to see how we can continue to offer slower paced and, when possible, at home programming for our patrons. We already have ideas for how we can expand upon our circulating kits, adding "teach yourself a hobby" kits that pair with our new non-fiction offerings. Our patrons have found plenty of activities that they can participate in, no matter their comfort level, and at every stage of the pandemic. Finally, as the COVID-19 pandemic put health at the forefront of many people's minds, we've seen an increased interest in other topics relating to personal health and well-being, especially mental health, and are very excited to share the new materials and information we have to offer.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
From sub-recipient: To evaluate the success of these programs we used both circulation statistics and informal interviewing with patrons. For our circulating projects, we've seen large increases in monthly circulation and attribute that to the new materials and kits offered. In speaking with patrons, we've heard stories of how our new offerings have made passing time at home, and social distancing from others, a bit easier. Our patrons, particularly the children in our community, have been very excited to discover the new activities available to them.
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: ARPA Formula Grant