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G2S Project Code: 2022-AR-91259
State: Arkansas
Fiscal Year: 2022
Grantee
Arkansas State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Kristina Hancock
Director Phone: 501-682-2855
Director Email: kristina.hancock@ade.arkansas.gov
General Information
Title: Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
State Project Code: 18
Start Date: 10/01/2022
End Date: 09/30/2023
Abstract: This project provided public library-by-mail services to 2,194 Arkansans who are unable to use standard print material due to visual, physical, or reading disabilities. This project provides on demand audio cartridge creation, physical Braille books, Braille E-readers and the Braille and Audio Reading App available on iOS and Android devices.
State Goal: Provide Programs and Services to Targeted Audiences
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$179,503.00
$365,399.00
$0.00
$544,902.00
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Circulation of Audio Books, Audio Book Players and Braille Books
Narrative: Daily activities related to this program included, but were not limited to, the selection of new book titles and quantities, the physical or web-based processing and data entry of book information for each copy of digital and Braille titles. The selection of titles for circulation to patrons by Reader Advisors was based on reader interest, input, and need. Reader Advisors also input book requests, contacted patrons by phone, mail or e-mail and processed bulk mail shipments of audio book players and related equipment. 
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

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


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 186,189
Average number of items circulated / month: 15,515
Total number of ILL transactions: 0
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
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: Yes
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
Suburban
Rural
For what age groups: All Ages
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: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 12
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 74
Other: 116
Activity Details
Title: Reader Advisor and Support Services
Narrative: Five staff members, including the Program Manager, two Reader's Advisors, one machine lending and outreach senior librarian and one library technician advise and assist library patrons and members of the general public in all aspects of library service for the blind and print disabled. Staff assist patrons by researching and selecting audio and Braille books and magazines, by providing assistance with machine problems, by assisting with specialized reference questions relating to blindness and adaptive equipment, and by giving one on one support to patrons who download books from the National Library Services for the Blind online BARD database.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: Combined in-person & virtual


Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 26,486
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 2,207


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
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: Yes
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: 12
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 74
Other: 116
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
1) We had a better outcome this year for our BARD app. We have risen to 37% of our patronage using the BARD app. 2) There are currently 856 patrons downloading books, using 1,510 registered mobile devices.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
1) Nearly 85 percent of existing patrons rely upon the direct mail-out of audio and braille library books. 2) The number of new patrons who download their books from BARD continues to grow. With an addition of E-braille this year- We had a 5% growth in BARD users. 3) The quarterly newsletter was an invaluable source to get information to our patrons about BARD and any active changes within the library. We were also able to include passive programming in the newsletter in the current Fiscal year.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Duplication of books on demand makes it possible to provide more books to patrons, to provide them faster and with fewer staff and without the need for a great deal of space to shelve a large collection of books.
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:
Yes
Explain:
FY20 We began printing objects and pairing them with board books for our tactile reading kits. This year we were able to send them to public libraries.
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: