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G2S Project Code: 2022-WI-91912
State: Wisconsin
Fiscal Year: 2022

Grantee
NICOLET FEDERATED LIBRARY SYSTEM

Project Director
Director Name: Tracy Vreeke
Director Phone: 920-448-4414
Director Email: tvreeke@nflsoffice.org

General Information
Title: Nicolet Federated Library System Professional Learning Scholarships
State Project Code: 2023 - 059934 - DPI - LSTA - 251
Start Date: 07/01/2022
End Date: 06/30/2023
Abstract: Overview: Nicolet Federated Library System (Nicolet) used the grant fundsto provide scholarships to our member library directors and library staff toattend in-person professional development conferences and continuing educationopportunities. Purpose: The majority of our member libraries live in rural areas inNortheast Wisconsin. There are very few if any opportunities to attendin-person professional development events due to the high cost of travel andaccommodations. The scholarships expanded access and promoted equity inprofessional learning opportunities for our member library staff. Thescholarships were also available to offset staff time, which allowed librarydirectors to attend conferences without impacting library services. Outcome: Barriers to professional learning willbe reduced allowing our member library director and library staff to gain anincreased awareness of and connection to their library peers and learn aboutnew services to benefit their communities.
State Goal: Leadership Capacity

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$21,334.00

$0.00

$21,334.00

Intent(s)
Improve the library workforce.
Library Infrastructure & Capacity
Continuing Education and Staff Development

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Intellectual Freedom Training
Narrative: Nicolet offered a one-day training to library directors, staff and library trustees on the subject of Intellectual Freedom. The workshop included discussion of Intellectual Freedom, how to respond to reconsideration requests, how to prepare and train library staff and library trustees for organized opposition to library materials and programming. The workshop also provided hands-on training for staff in dealing with difficult patrons. The training was held in a central location, reducing the travel barrier. The training was provided by Alison Macrina of the Library Freedom Project. Macrina also shared many resources the libraries could utilize when dealing with challenges.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 360
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 30
Number of times program administered: 1

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

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

Public Libraries: 17
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 2
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Activity Details
Title: Tribal Public Library Annual Conference
Narrative: Nicolet provided the four tribal public libraries throughout Wisconsin with an annual conference at the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College Community Library. Holding the library at one of the tribal libraries allows other tribal libraries to take a tour and see the different ways each tribe operates their library services. Nicolet provided workshops on library management, succession planning, and onboarding new employees. A representative from IMLS also provided an in-person overview of the IMLS Native American Basic and Enhancement Grants, as well as answered questions regarding existing and ongoing grants the tribal libraries were currently administering.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 480
Number of sessions in program: 2
Average number in attendance per session: 7
Number of times program administered: 1

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

Public Libraries: 4
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 2
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Continuing Education Consortium Fee
Narrative: Nicolet used grant funding to fund its system membership in the Northeast Wisconsin Continuing Education Partnership (NEWI). The partnership includes four library systems from northeast Wisconsin. Through the partnership, the library systems co-sponsored a Continuing Education Coordinator who organized and provided Continuing Education opportunities for all libraries and staff within the four systems. The partnership reduced redundancy and allowed each library system to provide more Continuing Education opportunities for its member libraries than it would be able to on its own.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Other
Format: Other
Other: Grant funding was used to pay for Nicolet’s membership in the Northeast Wisconsin Continuing Education Partnership (NEWI). The consortium consultant organized, developed, presented and managed professional development opportunities on behalf of all the li

Quantity

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 68
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 4
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Professional Learning Scholarships
Narrative: Nicolet Federated Library System provided scholarships for in-person conference attendance for library directors and staff.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Other
Format: In-person
Other: Nicolet Federated Library System provided 12 scholarships to library staff for attendance at the Wisconsin Library Association, Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries, and the American Library Association’s annual conferences.

Quantity

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 6
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:
Since the end of the pandemic, the library world has seen a tremendous amount of turnover throughout the state. Libraries are now being staffed by individuals who may not have library-specific training. Being able to provide additional funding for staff training and professional development has allowed many libraries to bring staff up to speed quickly, with little service interruptions. The funding also has provided seasoned staff with growing opportunities to challenge their professional development.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The additional opportunities for training will ensure that all libraries across our region are staffed by individuals with the same level of training and expertise. This ensures all communities are receiving high-quality library services. The outcomes have affected out future programming because it ensured that we focus providing more targeted training opportunities for newer staff. We want to ensure that all library staff within our system have the basic skills necessary to be successful in their jobs, reducing turnover of staff in the libraries.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
In addition to the knowledge gained in conference sessions, a beneficial aspect of participating with in-person continuing education workshops and conferences was relationship building, the opportunity to have one-to-one interactions and group conversations and shared experiences. The ability to meet colleagues in person and network cannot be found via virtual settings.
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

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