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G2S Project Code: 2022-IL-90925
State: Illinois
Fiscal Year: 2022
Grantee
KANKAKEE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Roland B. Johnson
Director Phone: (815) 939-4564
Director Email: rolandb4@gmail.com
General Information
Title: Using Technology as a Means of Therapeutic Self-Expression
State Project Code: 23-3001-PNG
Start Date: 07/01/2022
End Date: 09/30/2023
Abstract: Using Technology as a Means of Therapeutic Self-Expression at the Kankakee Public Library was a mentoring program that taught students to use technology as supportive tools to relieve stress and anxiety. Targeted participants were students ages 10 to 17 who lacked structured outlets to address the trauma resulting from living through a world-wide pandemic and in a community plagued with juvenile homicides and crime. The program focused on self-help and supplemented the limited social-emotional counseling offered to students in Kankakee, Illinois. Mentoring activities focused on creating socially responsible videos to post on social media; utilizing art-design technology as a means of therapeutic self-expression; and engaging in Passion Writing (a form of free verse writing used to express the most prevalent and current issues in one's reality). The goal of this program was to teach students that fear, anger, and anxiety can be managed, controlled, and channeled into positive aspects of life.
State Goal: Goal 2: Lifelong Learning.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$17,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$17,000.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Using Technology as a Means of Therapeutic Self-Expression - Instruction Activity
Narrative: During the FY2023 PNG Session six (6) PNG staff conducted thirty-two (32) in-person mentoring classes and six PNG field trips. Students recorded discussion sessions and created podcast episodes on: “Internet Safety / Stranger Danger”; “The Coolest Animals”; and “Being An Adult.” Students also created promotional flyer’s and cover artwork for the podcast. In the area of art-design technology students created self-expressive 11” x 22” posters; made electronic t-shirt designs using the Procreate app and iPads; and created t-shirts using their electronic designs with a Cricut machine. Students also engaged in “Passion Writing” as a creative means of voicing their fears, anxieties, and expressing hope.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 90
Number of sessions in program: 32
Average number in attendance per session: 10
Number of times program administered: 1


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: Urban
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: 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: KANKAKEE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 201 EAST MERCHANT STREET
City: KANKAKEE
State: IL
Zip: 60901
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 2
Agree: 20
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 3
Agree: 15
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 5
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 4
Agree: 16
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 3
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 2
Agree: 18
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 3
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 2
Agree: 20
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 1
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Procurement Report
Narrative: [Hardware]: 2 laptops, 1 iPad, 1 printer, 2 selfie lights, 2 mics, 2 headphones, 4 iPencils, 4 iPencil caps, 1 keyboard, 1 USB-C adaptor and cable, 1 USB charger cable [Supplies] Art and craft supplies for programming, t-shirts [Software/Services]: 1 Grammarly subscription
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 21
Number of software acquired: 1
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 0
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0


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: Urban
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: 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: KANKAKEE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 201 EAST MERCHANT STREET
City: KANKAKEE
State: IL
Zip: 60901
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Eighty-five percent of the participants increased their knowledge of video technology and the importance of socially responsible content. Ninety percent of participants experienced a positive impact on their self-esteem, behavior, and attitude as a result of utilizing art-design and passion writing as a means of therapeutic self-expression.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
In addressing personal stress and anxiety from the point of therapeutic self-expression it is important to note that the hope fostered is just as viable as tangible results. It is so important for students to realize that negative feelings can be managed.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
One significant lesson learned was that it is absolutely necessary to establish a trusting relationship not only between the mentors and students but also among the students and each other. In a trusting peer environment students soon realize that they all have certain degrees of stress and anxiety in common.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
No
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 NarrativeThis project was innovative in its use of technology as a therapeutic outlet for young students.
Project Tags: Technology, Self-Expression, Writing