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G2S Project Code: 2022-AR-91249
State: Arkansas
Fiscal Year: 2022

Grantee
Arkansas State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Karen O'Connell
Director Phone: 501-682-2874
Director Email: karen.oconnell@ade.arkansas.gov

General Information
Title: Arkansas Center for the Book
State Project Code: 02
Start Date: 10/01/2022
End Date: 09/30/2023
Abstract: This year saw the return of in-person If All Arkansas Read the Same Book programming, which was the first time this has been possible since 2019. We selected Ayana Gray’s Beast of Prey series, highlighting an Arkansas author and complimenting the All Together Now summer reading theme. For Arkansas Gems, we chose a solar eclipse theme, as posters will be displayed in Arkansas libraries through the summer of 2024. Book clubs continue to be popular with Arkansas readers, and although there is a demand to add more, inflation has impacted shipping costs; especially to the most rural areas of the state. A local television program has collaborated with the Center this year for brief book club segments, reading over ten books in this format. Lastly, Library of Congress affiliate Centers worked together regionally on two Great Reads videos per region, allowing content for young readers and adults as well as a reflection on how Arkansas inspires both writers and readers.
State Goal: Enhance Access to Information for Lifelong Learning

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$32,922.00

$117,526.00

$0.00

$150,448.00

Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Arts, Culture & Humanities

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Arkansas Gems
Narrative: Arkansas Gems connects readers in the state to current activities in literature through the creation and distribution of posters and bookmarks featuring a selection of newly published works about Arkansas subjects or by authors from Arkansas. The 2024 Total Eclipse with Arkansas in the Path of Totality influenced the design this year, as posters will be on display in Arkansas libraries through the summer months. Posters and bookmarks debuted at the National Book Festival, with several hundred posters and several thousand bookmarks distributed. The design and content sparked great conversations about reading in Arkansas. Bookmarks and posters were delivered to Arkansas library branches this year in tandem with solar eclipse glasses. The poster and bookmark also featured our Great Reads for Youth and Adults selections: House Finds a Home by Katy Duffield and US History in 15 Foods by Anna Zeide. We also highlighted the graphic nonfiction novel, What Follows Is True: Cresent Hotel about the famous Eureka Springs landmark.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Combined physical & digital

Quantity
Number of items digitized: 2
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 2
Number of physical items: 15,750
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 0
Number of plans/frameworks: 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: General

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 220
Academic Libraries: 2
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 40

Activity Details
Title: Book Club Lending
Narrative: Attendance levels and book circulation are at typical levels. The Coordinator met virtually with book club coordinators twice, allowing coordinators to share about book club best practices as well as to gain input on new title selections. Independence County Library and Monticello Branch Library in Drew County were new this year. The Public Library of Camden in Ouachita County began their book club in 2020 and was immediately impacted by the pandemic. This year the club was able to establish itself with regular and engaged readers. This reporting year, 513 book club kits were shipped, and comprising 6,156 volumes shipped to readers. In addition, there were 3,693 reported meeting attendees.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Physical

Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 6,156
Average number of items circulated / month: 513
Total number of ILL transactions: 0
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 0

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 40
Academic Libraries: 1
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 5
Other: 1

Activity Details
Title: If All Arkansas Read the Same Book
Narrative: For the first time since 2019, we were able to hold an in-person If All Arkansas Read the Same Book program. The committee selected Ayana Gray’s Beast of Prey young adult series as a complement to the Collaborative Summer Library Program theme, All Together Now. In the past, only titles for adult audiences were chosen, and we hoped for and had intergenerational audiences this year. Since Ayana lives in Arkansas, we spaced program events over the three summer months and covered three parts of the state: North (Fort Smith, Arkansas); Middle (Cabot, Arkansas); South (Monticello, Arkansas). Public libraries could select to receive either Beasts of Prey (first in the series) or Beasts of Ruin; and those copies were mailed to all public libraries in the state. In addition, multiple eBook and audiobook copies of both novels were licensed and purchased for statewide Overdrive consortia. It was revitalizing to be able to hold the programs in person.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: In-person

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 135
Number of presentations/performances administered: 3
Average number in attendance per session: 33

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 220
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 1
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
With a local-to-Arkansas author selected for If All Arkansas Read the Same Book, we took the opportunity to spread the events over three months and three parts of the state. This actually proved to be a challenge for building audience momentum, and we will likely space the events closer together for 2024.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Although hybrid events can be challenging, especially for our host venues; having an online component to our If All Arkansas Read the Same Book program for 2024 is a goal to increase the breadth of impact. Our plan is to add an online event to tie into our Book Club activities, such as a virtual Gathering of the Book Clubs.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
For all of the Center activities, starting as early as possible is essential. We have established committees for both the Arkansas Gems titles and the If All Arkansas Read the Same Book title selections. In addition, allowing time for feedback for activities like Book Club Lending has helped over the years with collection building and programming.
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: