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G2S Project Code: 2022-NE-91845
State: Nebraska
Fiscal Year: 2022
Grantee
KIMBALL PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Amber Sweetland
Director Phone: 308-235-4523
Director Email: asweetland@kimballpubliclibrary.org
General Information
Title: Library Improvement Grant: Kimball PL
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2021
End Date: 09/30/2023
Abstract: From sub-recipient: The library purchased a hydroponics tower called Lettuce Grow. The purpose of this tower was to be able to grow edible fresh produce for the use of the public. Since its installation in January, the library has distributed fresh produce to 176 people during the project period. The youth programs have learned about how hydroponics works. Kimball is an impoverished community so having access to free fresh produce has been very important to many in the community. Several elderly ones come in every week to take advantage of the different options on the tower. One of the preschoolers nicknamed it Herb. So, the community has come to refer to him by that name. Children come in weekly and check to see if there are any ripe tomatoes to pick. The best part is the young ones, and the library staff have a deal, they can pick out whatever they want as long as they promise to eat it. Parents report that they always do. Several patrons have donated funds in order to support the upkeep of the plants and tower. This is one of the most successful projects the Kimball Public Library has ever undertaken. We will continue this for many years to come.
State Goal: Lifelong Learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$1,050.00
$0.00
$435.00
$1,485.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Health & Wellness
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Library Improvement Grant: Kimball PL
Narrative: Library purchased a hydro-phonic tower for seed library/community crops programs.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of items digitized: 0
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 0
Number of physical items: 1
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 0
Number of plans/frameworks: 0


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: KIMBALL PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 208 SOUTH WALNUT
City: KIMBALL
State: NE
Zip: 69145
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
From sub-recipient: The most important outcome of this project was the benefit to the community. We expected that the children would find the tower fun and interesting. We expected that they would want to take some home. We didn't expect children to be willing to try, and love, new vegetables. Anther unexpected outcome was the response from the older patrons. The library users have increased since this project began. The local grocery store sends people to us when they don't have the produce the patron is looking for.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
From snub-recipient: These outcomes have shown us what is important to the public. I know now that no one wants to eat Bok Choy and everyone wants cilantro. I have also learned that the public is very unaware of the benefits of farm-to-table eating. This knowledge helps to plan for future classes and programs.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
From sub-recipient: The most important lesson we learned was that the public in general is completely unaware of how much more nutrition is lost in the harvest, storing, taking home, and finally using produce. Fresh produce gives all the benefits with very few negatives.
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: Hydro-phonic tower