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G2S Project Code: 2022-VT-91686
State: Vermont
Fiscal Year: 2022
Grantee
Vermont Department of Libraries

Project Director
Director Name: Karen Gravlin
Director Phone: 802-272-4912
Director Email: karen.gravlin@vermont.gov
General Information
Title: Library Services to the Visually and Physically Impaired and to State Institutions
State Project Code: VT-2022.08
Start Date: 10/01/2021
End Date: 09/30/2023
Abstract: The Vermont Department of Libraries provides statewide services through the ABLE Library (Library for the Blind & Print Disabled) to patrons who are unable to access traditional print resources or traditional programming. Services include home delivery of talking book machines, large print and digital titles to individual patrons, large print deposit collections that circulate to public libraries and other institutions across the state, acquisition/support of library resources for in-state residential institutions (including correctional facilities and mental health facilities), and programming opportunities like our virtual book club for the housebound and the monthly memory café (hosted collaboratively with the Central Vermont Council on Aging) for patrons with dementia. ABLE maintains a local recording program wherein volunteers are trained to narrate and edit monographs with Vermont themes and/or settings.
State Goal: Access to Resources
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$96,941.79
$49,823.74
$0.00
$146,765.53
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Other
Activities
Activity Details
Title: ABLE Library
Narrative: The ABLE Library is a regional network library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). ABLE’s collection includes the full catalog of NLS digital audio and Braille books, equipment for playing and reading digital books, large print books for all age groups, Wonderbooks and high contrast picture books, decodable books, audio-described media for all age groups, books and periodicals in Braille for all age groups, and a locally produced recording program. In 2023, the ABLE Library changed the way it reports statistics to match state reporting.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Digital


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 95,761
Average number of items circulated / month: 7,980
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: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 164
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 5
Other: 65
Activity Details
Title: Large Print Books and Accessible Youth Collection
Narrative: ABLE maintains and develops a physical collection of large print (LP) materials for all ages. ABLE also develops and maintains the Accessible Youth Collection (AYC), which includes Wonderbooks, high contrast picture books, and decodable books for children and teens. ABLE provides home delivery for ABLE patrons. The general statewide community is given access to ABLE’s LP and AYC collections through two primary mechanisms: our deposit collection program supporting public library services and other allied agencies and through direct interlibrary loan request.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Physical


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 9,336
Average number of items circulated / month: 778
Total number of ILL transactions: 162
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 14


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: 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
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: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 164
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 5
Other: 65
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
This year, ABLE began promoting our Accessible Youth Collection to its patrons and partner institutions. In last year’s SPR, the Vermont Department of Libraries noted an area for growth in materials for school-aged children and people with print disabilities other than visual disabilities. One of the reasons young readers were not using the ABLE Library was because it did not have library materials that met their needs. Developing and promoting the Accessible Youth Collection will better ABLE serve this key segment of the population. Since October 2022, ABLE has increased its number of juvenile patrons by 63.6% (from 11 patrons to 18). In the same time, the number of schools with ABLE Library accounts grew by 400% (from 1 school to 5). ABLE achieved this growth through increased presence at outreach events and word of mouth.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The Accessible Youth Collection addresses a patron need that was previously unmet. Children with reading disabilities should have a variety of resources at their disposal to help them succeed, and schools are great partners in promoting these resources. While ABLE have increased the number of youth patrons and schools with ABLE Library accounts, there much room for growth in promoting and increasing access to the Accessible Youth Collection around the state. However, the increase in users suggests that there are Vermonters who will benefit from this program. With that in mind, ABLE library plans to strengthen its partnerships with schools and the Agency of Education to reach many more young people.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The local recording program is one facet of this project that has proven particularly challenging. Since the pandemic, it has been difficult to recruit volunteers to come to the studio to record books. The Department allocated ARPA funds to purchase at-home recording equipment in the hopes that volunteers who were not comfortable coming to the building would be able to use this equipment to record books at home. This program was implemented, but volunteers report that they are intimidated by working with the equipment at home and are less likely to complete the books they are recording at home. The ABLE Library staff is working on ways to increase touchpoints with volunteers who are recording at home and implement more accountability check-ins.
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: Library for the Blind & Print Disabled; Talking Books; Large Print Books