Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The Montgomery City Public Library held an open house on March 31, 2022, and thirty-one people attended.
Eight people trained on the Cricut machines, two people in four classes. Two people trained on the heat press in one class. Six people trained on the virtual reality system in five sessions. One person has trained twice on the Microsoft Surface Studio with Adobe Creative Cloud. Four people have used the Creation Station equipment independently. The library board also trained on the Cricut and heat press as part of a board meeting.
Of the twenty-six people surveyed about the new technology/equipment, 88% strongly agreed and 12% agreed that they learned something by participating in the Creation Station activity. For those who learned something by using this technology/equipment, 4% strongly disagreed, 4% disagreed, 20% agreed, and 72% strongly agreed. For those who were satisfied with what they created, 4% disagreed, 20% neither agreed nor disagreed, 20% agreed, and 54% strongly agreed. For those surveyed about having access to technology/equipment at the library but not available at home, 11% agreed and 88% strongly agreed. The question about being able to create saleable items to add to their income, 4% disagreed, 60% neither agreed nor disagreed, 16% agreed, and 20% strongly agreed. For those who will use this technology/equipment again in the future, 4% disagreed, 4% neither agreed nor disagreed, 12% agreed, and 80% strongly agreed. Eighty-four percent strongly agreed and 16% agreed that they were likely to use other library resources, services, and equipment.
Twenty-five people completed the survey about instructional programs. Eighty-eight percent strongly agreed and 12% agreed that they learned something while 16% agreed and 84% strongly agreed that they felt more confident about what was learned. For those who intend to apply what they learned, 4% strongly disagreed, 4% disagreed, 4% neither agreed nor disagreed, 12% agreed, and 76% strongly agreed. Seventy-two percent of those surveyed strongly agreed about being more aware of library services while 24% agreed and 4% neither agreed nor disagreed. Four percent disagreed that they were likely to use other library resources, services, and equipment while 20% agreed and 76% strongly agreed with that statement.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The Creation Station has a positive impact on the Montgomery City Public Library. It provides a variety of equipment that patrons can train on and use for personal, professional, or business reasons. They also enjoyed the training classes and have already used the equipment for library programs. The majority of patrons who attended the Creation Station Open House and training sessions seem excited about the opportunities the Creation Station provides.
The Montgomery City Public Library plans to continue incorporating the Creation Station equipment into future programming. The Promethean Board was delivered after the March 31 Open House. Therefore, patrons have not seen it used in a variety of ways. The staff uses it at the front desk so patrons can see it in use as soon as they walk into the building. It will also be used in board meetings and training sessions. Another idea is to host a video game tournament with the Promethean Board once a video game system is purchased. The staff also plans to use the Cricut and heat press in craft classes with various age groups and community groups such as 4H or FFA. Staff and board members have expressed ideas for using community volunteers to lead sewing classes and photography classes.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
One important lesson to learn is that creating a makerspace takes more time than you might think. There were delays with the equipment deliveries, the staff training took a long time because it was difficult to find a trainer for the specific machines and to schedule a time that worked for everyone. The staff needed plenty of time, training, and use to get comfortable with the equipment before creating training modules for the patrons. More experience is necessary for them to feel proficient on the machines.
The Montgomery City Public Library’s board was sure the Creation Station would be a huge hit right from the start and it was, in a sense. Those who attended the open house thoroughly enjoyed the Creation Station and many signed up for training classes, giving positive feedback too. However, only a few of them and other patrons have reserved time for using the equipment after the training classes. The library board and staff hoped that more people would be using the Creation Station on a regular basis by the end of the grant period. So if another library is planning to create a makerspace, allow for delays and extra time for plans to come to fruition.
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:
Yes
Explain:
Effort will decrease because acquisition & installation has been completed. New Makerspace techology will be maintained and upgraded as needed.
Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
Yes
Explain:
The Montgomery City Public Library and its Board of Trustees would like to see the Creation Station expand. However, more research into the community's wants and needs for the makerspace will be necessary.
Patrons also commented that they would like to buy materials for the Creation Station at the library rather than driving thirty to sixty minutes away to purchase said materials. The library will need to research how selling items would work.
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:
