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G2S Project Code: 2022-CA-92265
State: California
Fiscal Year: 2022

Grantee
PALO ALTO CITY LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: RuthAnn Garcia
Director Phone: (650) 329-2436
Director Email: ruthann.garcia@cityofpaloalto.org

General Information
Title: Community Threads
State Project Code: 40-9421
Start Date: 07/01/2022
End Date: 09/30/2023
Abstract: Community Threads provided the Palo Alto community with a dedicated sewing space and regularly scheduled, free, sewing programs and instruction for teens and adults which fulfilled an unmet need in the community. Teens and adults developed and enriched their creativity and textile art skills by working with sewing machines and creating projects in collaboration with local community groups. As the name suggests, Community Threads wove teens, adults, and seniors together, connecting them in a meaningful, purpose-driven way.
State Goal: Goal 3: Inspire, Support, & Engage Communities

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$6,000.00

$0.00

$5,009.00

$11,009.00

Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Arts, Culture & Humanities

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Acquisition: Sewing machines, supplies, and fabric
Narrative: The librarians purchased 16 Babylock Zeal sewing machines, various supplies which included thread, scissors, acrylic rulers, one cart for sewing supplies,16 Sewing machine covers, and various material types. These materials were purchased in order to support a variety of sewing programs. These programs provided the instruction and tools needed to create a dedicated sewing space in the Palo Alto community. The programs included one School Sewing Workshop which completed a sewing project with a local middle school, three Artivism Programs titled “Making a Kindness Heart”, “Teen Mending”, and “Upcycled T-Shirt Tote Bags”, and four Community Threads Workshops.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 236
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 0
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 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: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No

Activity Details
Title: Program: Artivism, Community Threads, School Sewing Project
Narrative: The Community Threads project includes a program series that comprised a School Sewing Workshop with a local middle school; three Artivism Programs for Teens, which included Making a Kindness Heart, Teen Mending, and Upcycled T-Shirt Tote Bags programs; and four intergenerational Community Threads workshops which consisted of Adult Mending, Sewing a Drawstring Bag, Making a Potholder, and Making a Spa Pillow. All of these programs provided a dedicated sewing space in the Palo Alto community, which fulfilled an unmet need in the community.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 8
Average number in attendance per session: 10
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

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: PALO ALTO CITY LIBRARY
Address: 1213 NEWELL RD
City: PALO ALTO
State: CA
Zip: 94303
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 29
Agree: 4
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: 27
Agree: 5
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 27
Agree: 5
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 24
Agree: 9
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 27
Agree: 6
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Staff anticipated having a third workshop called Sew Cool, but discovered that the Artivism workshop covered introductory sewing, making it easier to combine the two programs under Artivism. The project team also did not anticipate the need for an introductory sewing workshop for a local school, but this was a positive addition to the programming activities that will be explored more in the future.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Library staff confirmed that there is a need for this type of programming in the community. This was evidenced by the fact that every program had full registration and a lengthy waitlist. The surveys and patron conversations resulted in considering potential changes for future programs. For the Artivism program, staff checked-in with teens and tweens to gather feedback. With this feedback, the time of the Artivism program was adjusted to better work for the schedules of those who were interested in attending. Another example was during one of the programs, a patron commented that she really enjoyed the sewing program, it was her first time using a sewing machine, and she mentioned that not many other libraries in the community have sewing programs. This positive feedback influenced future programming for the library in regard to scheduling and classes offered.
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:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
Yes
Explain:
The library will continue on with similar programming and listen to community members on any changes they would like. Feedback from participants was strongly in line with the desire to continue participating in sewing programs.
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: Community, Crafting, Youth