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G2S Project Code: 2021-IL-87768
State: Illinois
Fiscal Year: 2021
Grantee
Rock Falls Township High School #301

Project Director
Director Name: Kristine Schauff
Director Phone: 815-625-3886
Director Email: schauffk@rfhs301.org
General Information
Title: ARPA-We're back, We're Safe and Better Than Ever!
State Project Code: ARPA-22-5147-RTR
Start Date: 10/01/2021
End Date: 09/30/2022
Abstract: With student safety in mind, the Rock Falls High School Library modified library spaces in response to and recovery from the pandemic. We're Back, We're Safe and Better Than Ever! focused on restoring the capacity of the high school library to offer clean, safe spaces for students to learn.  Rock Falls High School Library was only open to small tutoring groups during the entire 2020-21 school year. All fabric seating, older tables, and chairs had been removed from the library because they could not be properly disinfected. The library resumed services with options that encouraged students to socially distance while using the library.  The 3D printers supported students' reading and research projects. The library’s capacity to serve students was increased and the library opened with measures in place to lessen the spread of COVID. 

State Goal: Goal 1: Access to Information and Ideas.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$14,200.00
$0.00
$0.00
$14,200.00
Intent(s)
Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.
Library Infrastructure & Capacity
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Library Activities Supported Students Learning
Narrative: The library closed because of COVID cleaning requirements.  The school library was able to open because new chairs, stools, and tables were designed to handle the increased cleaning regime required by COVID protocols.  These items were disinfected after each class to ensure a clean space for students and staff using the library.  

Activities supported hands on learning and provided experiences that students did not have while the school was remote.  The 3D printers were especially engaging for reluctant readers sent to the library to find a book.  Students were encouraged to research items in Thingiverse: Digital Designs for Physical Objects, and it was necessary for them to do basic math and read instructions to successfully print their plans.  Students were more likely to check out a library book to learn more about the topic they had researched while working with the 3D printer.    

The school library instituted pick-up and drop-off services using the book drop to support students who were required to isolate due to pandemic protocols. This allowed them to use library resources even when they could not physically be in the library. The outside book return was also used throughout the week as public librarians dropped off items to fill interlibrary loan requests for students and maintained social distance by not entering the school. 

The movable partitions and white boards were regularly used by staff working with small groups in the library.  The entire Special Education department and the Counselors used the movable partitions and whiteboards to tutor students and read together, and provide a calming area in the library for anxiety attacks and overwhelmed students as they adjusted to school pressures.  This provided a new capacity for the library to support students and helped address the needs of at risk students.

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: 3
Number of acquired hardware items used: 3
Number of software items acquired: 0
Number of acquired software items used: 0
Number of materials/supplies acquired: 17
Number of acquired materials/supplies used: 17


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: Rock Falls Township High School
Address: 101 Twelfth Avenue
City: Rock Falls
State: IL
Zip: 61071
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
On average 25 more students per hour voluntarily came to the school library and utilized the new seating and independently read or worked on projects. Tutors used the mobile partitions and mobile whiteboards daily and usually most hours of the school day. This was a big increase from the sporadic use of the library prior to the pandemic.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The students' need to socialize was very important and doing it safely was critical. As the numbers of COVID cases increased, the new outside book return supported contactless returns and was especially appreciated by the parents of quarantined students who needed to return materials to the library.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Having easily cleaned surfaces was crucial. This allowed the library to stay open to serve the needs of staff and students regardless of virus status. Students/staff asked about 3D printing and how to use it for class projects.
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: COVID, safe seating, recovery