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G2S Project Code:
2021-NE-89926
State:
Nebraska
Fiscal Year:
2021
Grantee
GRAND ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Project Director
Director Name:
Laura Fentress
Director Phone:
308-385-5333
Director Email:
lauraf@gilibrary.org
General Information
Title:
ARPA Youth Grant: Grand Island PL
State Project Code:
Start Date:
10/01/2020
End Date:
09/30/2022
Abstract:
From sub-recipient:
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, teens were isolated at home, attending school virtually and having few to no opportunities to socialize. Our Gateway Makerspace provides both a "third place" teens can go to, and tools to exercise their creativity and experiment. With the first wave of funding, we were able to meet the immediate need of replacing 3 teen computers. As indicated in the grant application, all 6 of our available teen computers were at least a decade old. The computers unexpectedly also became a secondary social space for certain teens who spend much of their time at the library. Funding for the remaining 3 teen computers, plus another 2 on top of that, came from other sources. Teens immediately took to these computers, as well, and we regularly have a "full house" in the teen computer area. Additionally, 6 One by Wacom drawing tablets were purchased to be available for in-library use. With the remaining funding, we were able to purchase supplies toward the "hands-on" portion of the Gateway Makerspace. These supplies included: Crochet hooks, various sizes Crop-A-Dile hole punch/eyelet setter Cutting mat 12" x 18" Embroidery hoops, various sizes Hot glue gun (low temp) iFixit electronics repair kit Knitting needles Needle-nose pliers Paper trimmer Pom pom/tassel maker Rotary cutter Rulers, assorted Craft knife Craft needles 2 sewing machines (basic models) as well as storage shelving, a pegboard, and plastic containers to hold supplies and materials. Due to delays in funding and the fact that our summer program had already been planned, we decided to hold a Gateway Makerspace Open House on Friday, September 16, a day when local public schools were out of session. Several teens attended but several more elected to stay out at the teen computers during the program. The program was held in the library's Digital Media Lab, using laptops equipped with the same software as the new teen computers. Teens were offered their choice of four activities: 3-D design with Tinkercad, sublimation keychain design with the Wacom tablets, hand embroidery, or bookmark making using the Crop-a-Dile hole punch/eyelet setter.
State Goal:
Sustainability of Library Programs and Services
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$
4,247.00
$
0.00
$
0.00
$
4,247.00
Intent(s)
Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)
Systems & Technologies
Activities
Activity Details
Title:
ARPA Youth Grant: Grand Island PL
Narrative:
Library purchased 3 computers, 3 monitors, makerspace items and 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:
6
Number of acquired hardware items used:
6
Number of software items acquired:
0
Number of acquired software items used:
0
Number of materials/supplies acquired:
2
Number of acquired materials/supplies used:
2
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:
13-17 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: GRAND ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 211 NORTH WASHINGTON STREET
City: GRAND ISLAND
State: NE
Zip: 68801
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
From sub-recipient: At the Gateway Makerspace Open House, one-third of the teen participants turned in a signed Makerspace waiver signed by a parent by the end of the program. All teens who filled out a Gateway Makerspace Survey indicated they wanted to use the full Makerspace in the future. COMPUTER FUNCTIONALITY. We were anticipating the Wacom tablets would be most useful for design work. However, we were also able to offer it to a homeschool student who would otherwise need to pay money to print worksheets at the library, fill them out, and scan them back in to email. INCREASED COMPUTER USAGE. According to system reports, computer usage jumped after the new computers were installed. In February 2022, 145 computer sessions were logged at the teen computers. In March, the first full month after installation, the number of sessions jumped 70% to 247. The number of monthly computer sessions at the teen computers has remained high since, even exceeding 300 sessions in June. Comparatively, in March 2021, the teen computers saw a grand total of 16 sessions. We anticipated increased teen participation, but teens have been slow to return to library programs in general. We are continuing to reach out to local schools and building a dedicated group of regular teen attendees at library events in general.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
From sub-recipient: We expect the Gateway Makerspace to be a “gift that keeps on giving.” We will continue to promote the Gateway Makerspace as we ramp up our outreach to local schools. We will also pay close attention to teen feedback as we decide what else to stock in the hands-on are and what software to install. The Gateway Makerspace will enable us to better tailor our teen programs to participants’ interests. Now that we have Paint.NET, Inkscape, GIMP, and other software already installed on our teen computers and public laptops, we can offer design-focused teen programs. In the past, due to time, software, and technology constraints, we’ve generally had teens select from preloaded designs for Makerspace programs. Now we can use Gateway Makerspace equipment and tech to guide them through the design phase. Shortly after the Gateway Makerspace Open House, the City of Grand Island approved funding for an additional staff librarian, who would oversee the Makerspace. This individual has already expressed interest in continuing Gateway Makerspace activities and even recommended some additional equipment purchases (specifically, basic-model sewing machines that are less intimidating than the top-of-the-line Bernina we already have). We are excited to see where the new librarian takes the Gateway Makerspace!
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
From sub-recipient: With delays in funding, supply chain issues, and shortage of staffing, we were not able to complete the project on our original timeline (January-June). Our inaugural Gateway Makerspace Open House event on September 16, we realized, marked the true start of the Gateway Makerspace project. The 6 teens who attended provided us with ideas and a direction for the future. And the 6 teens who elected to stay at the permanent teen computers gave us some ideas as well. One took a break from his video game to suggest Blender instead of Tinkercad for free CAD software.
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 Youth Grant
