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G2S Project Code: 2022-TX-92313
State: Texas
Fiscal Year: 2022
Grantee
BROWNSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Courtney Taylor
Director Phone: 956-548-1055
Director Email: courtney.taylor@brownsvilletx.gov
General Information
Title: Designing a More Creative Future
State Project Code: SPP-23002
Start Date: 09/01/2022
End Date: 08/31/2023
Abstract: The Brownsville Public Library System (BPLS) rolled out the "Designing a More Creative Future" program focused on providing resources and access to the community through learning events and MakerSpace services to broaden skills for patrons to use in their creative and business endeavors. BPLS helped patrons increase their creative skills in laser etching, media design for poster printing, laser cutting/engraving , and sublimation printing for creation of clothing and textiles.
State Goal: Goal 2: Access to resources and services to meet community and personal goals.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$25,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$25,000.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Makerspace
Narrative: BPLS created a special space and purchased special equipment and printers for patrons to learn to use. Equipment included a Glowforge Pro laser cutter and etcher, 2 sublimation printers for printing on textiles, a large format printer to print posters, and 2 iMacs to help patrons design their creations. All items were available for "circulation" by signing up to use it. Equipment circulated 340 times. All patrons and staff had to be trained to use the equipment. Additionally, the library held multiple demo sessions. Some program highlights: • Multiple patrons have stated they are teachers and are excited to promote our poster printing services to their students for their school project especially when Science Fair season arrives. • Glowforge is being used by employees to create Christmas ornaments for our annual Pictures with Santa event. • Sublimation printer was used to make shirts for Summer Bash event. • iMacs were used to create the designs for the shirts for Summer Bash, and the Christmas ornaments for Pictures with Santa set. • Library Board member mentioned that his child used the Glowforge equipment to create components of an enigma machine for the National History Fair in which his team placed 3rd in the nation (1st in Brownsville and district). He was later given a proclamation by the City of Brownsville for his outstanding representation of City of Brownsville.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Physical


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 340
Average number of items circulated / month: 28
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: 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: BROWNSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 2600 CENTRAL BLVD
City: BROWNSVILLE
State: TX
Zip: 78520
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Our library’s Makerspace Department has set a goal of training all library employees on the equipment available to our patrons. These 1-on-1 trainings are 1-hour long sessions where the employee has the opportunity to get hands on experience with the machines available. During these sessions, the employee is given the opportunity to select which machine they want to be trained on. Makerspace has hosted 57 1-hour long training sessions to 29 of which took place using the equipment purchased with this grant. This means the equipment purchased with this grant is helping provide more than half of the training employees have received this year. This is only counting the number of initial trainings that took place. Several employees have used the machines they’ve been trained on multiple times after their initial training which shows continued interest.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Not applicable.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
• When using the equipment for internal use add a statement that says the poster was made using Makerspace equipment that is available for patron use. We have noticed increased interest in devices when patrons see examples of what can be accomplished with the machines available. • Establish a method to checkout equipment early on to ensure there is no confusion when training employees as to what the process should be when checking out equipment for patron use
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: Makerspace, Digital Literacy, Business & Finance