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G2S Project Code: 2022-MS-92120
State: Mississippi
Fiscal Year: 2022
Grantee
Mississippi Library Commission

Project Director
Director Name: Jennifer Lena
Director Phone: 601-432-4042
Director Email: jlena@mlc.lib.ms.us
General Information
Title: Technology Services
State Project Code: 3000034218
Start Date: 10/01/2021
End Date: 09/30/2023
Abstract: The Mississippi Library Commission sought to enhance the technological environment of Mississippi libraries. Technology Services provided free technical assistance, training and consulting to public libraries on various technical issues. A variety of programs and projects were offered to support the services libraries provide to the public. These programs and projected helped to address the digital divide around technology needs of citizens throughout the State of Mississippi.
State Goal: Enhance the technological environment of Mississippi libraries
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$266,649.74
$309,845.19
$0.00
$576,494.93
Intent(s)
Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.
Library Infrastructure & Capacity
Systems & Technologies
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Provided technology support to libraries
Narrative: Provided support to all libraries on local networks, PCs, servers, and internet circuits of public library systems, including email and website hosting. Provided troubleshooting of network and computer issues and support of maintenance of wide area network through help desk tickets. Provided E-rate support to libraries through site visit consultations and review and assistance of e-rate documentation. Assisted libraries with transitioning analog phone lines to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Provided spam email filtering and reporting analytics to libraries through the purchase of Fortimail and FortiAnalyzer equipment.
Intent: Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.

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


Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 1,099
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 91


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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 236
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:
Many libraries across the state face budget constraints, hindering access to IT professional services, including E-rate assistance. This program allowed all public libraries in the State of Mississippi to access qualified technology staff to assist with various issues to improve their overall service to patrons and therefore benefit the citizens of Mississippi.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Extending the availability of technological equipment and services enables libraries to better serve patrons and allows them to offer more library programs and services and lessens the time staff have to spend with unusable or unreliable equipment.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Gaining insights from library directors and discussing their distinct needs and challenges in technology aids in identifying whether a particular library system needs more assistance, staff training, and/or sub-grant funding.
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: Yes
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: