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G2S Project Code: 2022-AR-91264
State: Arkansas
Fiscal Year: 2022
Grantee
Arkansas State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Kristen Cooke
Director Phone: 501-682-2863
Director Email: kristen.cooke@ade.arkansas.gov
General Information
Title: Statewide Sharing and Engagement
State Project Code: 29
Start Date: 10/01/2022
End Date: 09/30/2023
Abstract: This project supports and facilitates meaningful engagement with libraries in Arkansas with Arkansas State Library's services and resources through outreach events, meetings, and seminars. Through the creation of reports, presentations, and communications, the project staff highlights Arkansas State Library's services to key stakeholders and demonstrates the fulfillment of the library's establishing legislation. Project staff encourage engagement with LSTA-funded statewide projects of the Arkansas State Library and ensure engagement with those projects despite staffing changes at local libraries.
State Goal: Provide Programs and Services to Targeted Audiences
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$10,206.00
$0.00
$0.00
$10,206.00
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
General (select only for electronic databases or other data sources)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Data Consultations and Reports
Narrative: The annual Public Library Survey, completed under Library Consulting Services, is a federal-state cooperative project developed with the intent to monitor the contribution of libraries to their communities, to communicate with stakeholders and policymakers, and to monitor the health of libraries. In Arkansas, several questions are added at the state level to meet specific information needs and to gather information with the intent of developing data-based conversations around library, information, and broadband access. Under this activity, Engagement project staff create reports and data visualizations to increase the accessibility of public library data to citizens in Arkansas. To aid libraries in accessing and understanding data reported on the PLS for the purposes of grant applications, funding proposals, responding to inquiries from local government, and comparison data the project staff offers data consultations to public libraries via phone, virtual conference, or in-person.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Combined in-person & virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 240
Number of presentations/performances administered: 4
Average number in attendance per session: 8


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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 247
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
In the first year of the project, engagement activities highlighted the need for the development of standardized presentations for agency services and resources and a plan for directed outreach to specific state agencies, boards, and commissions. Engagement staff focused on 'mapping' services to user requests and developing strategies for customized orientation materials for state employees.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Understanding the importance of developing both standard outreach materials for a wide audience while simultaneously developing user-specific orientation resources shifted the outreach and engagement strategy and will allow project staff to better measure outcomes of targeted outreach efforts in the coming years.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:

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:
Increased statewide travel and engagement based on new targeted approach
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: outreach, engagement, cooperative