View Project

G2S Project Code: 2022-NE-91841
State: Nebraska
Fiscal Year: 2022
Grantee
GERING PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Christie Clarke
Director Phone: 308-436-7433
Director Email: cclarke@geringlibrary.org
General Information
Title: Library Improvement Grant: Gering PL
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2021
End Date: 09/30/2023
Abstract: From sub-recipient: The 2023 LSTA grant has allowed the Gering Public Library to update the technological infrastructure of the library by providing current pieces of technology for public use in our meeting room. Our library policy for this space states that our meeting room is to be used at no cost by civic, educational, or cultural groups. Before the grant, our community room had obsolete or no technology for groups to use for training, education, or connection with family and friends from afar. Our vision for this space was to expand and facilitate access and connection for these groups with a technology upgrade. With this grant we purchased an 85-inch Samsung smart TV. and wall mount, two acer laptops, an Epson portable projector, and a Meeting Owl 3 smart video conference camera, microphone, and speaker. As soon as we installed the new technology, we immediately started receiving reservation requests-some from groups as far east as Omaha-to provide company trainings in the area. Since then, we have had a steady stream of reservations to use our meeting room with the new technology pieces.
State Goal: Sustainability of Library Programs and Services
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$3,065.00
$0.00
$1,021.00
$4,086.00
Intent(s)
Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.
Buildings & Facilities
Systems & Technologies
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Library Improvement Grant: Gering PL
Narrative: Library updated meeting room by purchasing smart TV, projector, 2 laptops, webcam, microphone, and speakers.
Intent: Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.

Activity: Procurement
Mode:
Format:


Quantity
Number of equipment acquired: 0
Number of acquired equipment used: 0
Number of hardware items acquired: 0
Number of acquired hardware items used: 0
Number of software items acquired: 0
Number of acquired software items used: 0
Number of materials/supplies acquired: 8
Number of acquired materials/supplies used: 8


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: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: GERING PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1055 P STREET
City: GERING
State: NE
Zip: 69341
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
From sub-recipient: Outcome: Expand the use of the library community room to allow groups or individuals to conduct and attend online trainings, conference calls, job interviews, or social interactions for families and friends from across the country and the world. Result: The library immediately had reservations for the community room specifically for businesses to provide live trainings for employees. Most groups were eager to use the laptop and smart TV for this purpose. Some groups came from as far away as Omaha and Lincoln (We are located in the western panhandle.) We were thrilled to be able to provide a free meeting space with the new technology for these groups. While we anticipated this use, we did not expect just how frequent this use would be nor how geographically far-reaching it was. We were hoping to attract more family groups to use this space to connect with family and friends from afar and while we did have one group use the space for this use, we were anticipating more of these types of groups. Library staff plans on improving the marketing of this space going forward. Outcome: Expanded access to fun and educational elements in adult and youth programming via the projector, laptop, and smart TV. Result: One of the first uses of the new technology was an anime night for teens during our summer reading program. This program was a huge success. We had to turn away adults as this was strictly a teen program. This unanticipated result led to another very successful program which was an anime night just for adults. Now the library will provide ongoing anime nights for both age groups. Originally, we were going to use the projector for this program but quickly learned it would be easier to bypass a projector and use the smart TV. This consequence educated staff on projector use. We have not had many requests for use of the projector in the meeting space since we have the smart TV so we have changed our mission to allow for the new projector to be checked out for use outside the library. This result, though unintended, has led to a better use of this piece of technology for our community.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
From sub-recipient: The outcomes from implementing the grant purchases have showed staff how to better promote what we have for community use according to wants and needs of the community. Talking with groups who make the community room reservations about what technology we have to offer has also provided staff the opportunity to fine tune our community room policy. It also allowed staff to come up with alternative uses for the equipment, such as projector check outs, which exceeds the original project parameters. The outcomes of using the equipment for programming provided staff the ability to exceed age parameters as well by allowing them to find a previously unknown programming niche in adult interest in anime. This in turn led to expanded programming ideas for all ages.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
From sub-recipient: The biggest lesson we learned was to reach out to other libraries who have similar pieces of technology that you are wanting to procure and literally pick the brains of all the staff there who use the equipment on its usage before writing your grant. We reached out after receiving our items which in retrospect was late in the game. The more ideas and knowledge you have before will definitely help with implementation after.
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: Meeting room