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G2S Project Code: 2022-AR-91263
State: Arkansas
Fiscal Year: 2022
Grantee
Arkansas State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Jessica Kirk
Director Phone: 501-682-2867
Director Email: jessica.kirk@ade.arkansas.gov
General Information
Title: Mockingbird
State Project Code: 30
Start Date: 10/01/2022
End Date: 09/30/2023
Abstract: Mockingbird provided a platform for Arkansas libraries to share their catalogs in one place for all Arkansas residents to discover resources. The overall vision is to expose multiple libraries’ catalogs and collections to library users in Arkansas and to make it possible for library users of all library types and from all geographic areas within the state to discover items and to request them through their home libraries. Mockingbird facilitated resource sharing among libraries with tools built into the platform. It also served as a bibliographic utility to libraries around the state as an efficiency aid for cataloging efforts, especially for small and rural libraries. The tool has emerged as a mechanism to aid in decision making regarding acquisitions and weeding throughout the network libraries.
State Goal: Enhance Access to Information for Lifelong Learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$148,712.00
$0.00
$0.00
$148,712.00
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
General (select only for electronic databases or other data sources)
Systems & Technologies
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Implementation and Instruction
Narrative: As the phase 1 and 2 libraries transitioned from onboarding to established users, registration, and informational meetings for the final cohort of libraries approved under the initial contract began. The final cohort of libraries consisted of public and academic libraries and the system administrator functioned as an intermediary to facilitate the education and onboarding of the cohort. For established network libraries, activities began to troubleshoot and identify system workflow issues, resolve 'dropped' ILL requests, negotiate resolutions with the vendor, and develop usage best practices for network libraries. The first four months of the reporting period were used for coordination of the Arkansas State procurement process allowing the State Library to seek a flexible and configurable commercial off the shelf Statewide Virtual Union Catalog & Resource Sharing Platform to facilitate resource sharing among multiple libraries in Arkansas. AutoGraphics’ SHAREit platform was selected. After approval by the state legislature, library participants were recruited, and their systems were configured to interact with Arkansas State Library’s instance of the SHAREit platform in collaboration with the vendor. Arkansas State Library staff worked closely with AutoGraphics on decisions related to library configuration, resource sharing workflows, load-leveling algorithms, and platform appearance and design. In addition, State Library staff members consulted frequently with participating libraries to guide them through the technical aspects of the implementation process. We implemented participating libraries in two phases, with the first going live in June and the second in September of 2022.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

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


Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 238
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 19


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: Arkansas College of Health Education
Address: 7000 Chad Colley Blvd.
City: Fort Smith
State: AR
Zip: 72916
Name: ARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY REGIONAL LIBRARY
Address: 501 NORTH FRONT STREET
City: DARDANELLE
State: AR
Zip: 72834
Name: Arkansas State Library
Address: 900 W. Capitol, Suite 100
City: Little Rock
State: AR
Zip: 72201-3108
Name: Arkansas State University-Beebe
Address: 1000 Iowa Street
City: Beebe
State: AR
Zip: 72012-1000
Name: BAXTER COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 300 LIBRARY HILL
City: MOUNTAIN HOME
State: AR
Zip: 72653
Name: BELLA VISTA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 11 DICKENS PLACE
City: BELLA VISTA
State: AR
Zip: 72714
Name: BENTONVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 405 S. MAIN STREET
City: BENTONVILLE
State: AR
Zip: 72712
Name: CALHOUN COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 109 SOUTH 2ND ST.
City: HAMPTON
State: AR
Zip: 71744
Name: CARROLL AND MADISON LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 104 S. SPRING STREET
City: BERRYVILLE
State: AR
Zip: 72616
Name: CENTRAL ARKANSAS LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 100 ROCK STREET
City: LITTLE ROCK
State: AR
Zip: 72201
Name: CLARK COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 609 CADDO STREET
City: ARKADELPHIA
State: AR
Zip: 71923
Name: Cleburne County Library
Address: 1009 West Main St.
City: Heber Springs
State: AR
Zip: 72543
Name: COLUMBIA COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 2057 NORTH JACKSON
City: MAGNOLIA
State: AR
Zip: 71753
Name: CRAWFORD COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 1409 MAIN ST.
City: VAN BUREN
State: AR
Zip: 72956
Name: Crossett Public Library
Address: 1700 S. Main Street
City: Crossett
State: AR
Zip: 71635
Name: CROWLEY RIDGE REGIONAL LIBRARY
Address: 315 WEST OAK AVENUE
City: JONESBORO
State: AR
Zip: 72401
Name: EAST CENTRAL ARKANSAS REGIONAL LIBRARY
Address: 410 EAST MERRIMAN
City: WYNNE
State: AR
Zip: 72396
Name: FAULKNER-VAN BUREN REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 1900 TYLER STREET
City: CONWAY
State: AR
Zip: 72032
Name: FORREST CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 421 SOUTH WASHINGTON STREET
City: FORREST CITY
State: AR
Zip: 72335
Name: FORT SMITH PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 3201 ROGERS AVENUE
City: FORT SMITH
State: AR
Zip: 72901
Name: GARLAND COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 1427 MALVERN AVENUE
City: HOT SPRINGS
State: AR
Zip: 71901
Name: GENTRY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 105 E. MAIN
City: GENTRY
State: AR
Zip: 72734
Name: GRAVETTE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 407 CHARLOTTE STREET SE
City: GRAVETTE
State: AR
Zip: 72736
Name: Harding University
Address: 915 E. Market Ave.
City: Searcy
State: AR
Zip: 72143
Name: HEMPSTEAD COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 500 S. ELM STREET
City: HOPE
State: AR
Zip: 71801
Name: Hendrix College
Address: 1600 Washington Ave
City: Conway
State: AR
Zip: 72032-3080
Name: IVA JANE PEEK LIBRARY HQ
Address: 129 MAIN STREET
City: DECATUR
State: AR
Zip: 72722
Name: LAWRENCE COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 1315 WEST MAIN
City: WALNUT RIDGE
State: AR
Zip: 72476
Name: LONOKE COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 204 EAST 2ND STREET
City: LONOKE
State: AR
Zip: 72086
Name: MARION COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 308 OLD MAIN
City: YELLVILLE
State: AR
Zip: 72687
Name: MID ARKANSAS REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 202 EAST THIRD STREET
City: MALVERN
State: AR
Zip: 72104
Name: NEWTON COUNTY Library
Address: HWY. 7 SOUTH
City: JASPER
State: AR
Zip: 72641
Name: North Little Rock Library System
Address: 2801 ORANGE STREET
City: NORTH LITTLE ROCK
State: AR
Zip: 72114
Name: NORTHEAST ARKANSAS REGIONAL LIBRARY
Address: 120 NORTH 12TH STREET
City: PARAGOULD
State: AR
Zip: 72450
Name: NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Address: One College Drive
City: Bentonville
State: AR
Zip: 72712-5091
Name: PEA RIDGE COMMUNITY LIBRARY
Address: 161 EAST PICKENS
City: PEA RIDGE
State: AR
Zip: 72751
Name: POPE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 116 EAST 3RD STREET
City: RUSSELLVILLE
State: AR
Zip: 72801
Name: Prescott/Nevada County Library
Address: 121 West 2nd Street
City: Prescott
State: AR
Zip: 71857
Name: PUBLIC LIBRARY OF CAMDEN & OUACHITA COUNTY
Address: 120 HARRISON AVE. S. W.
City: CAMDEN
State: AR
Zip: 71701
Name: SALINE COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 1800 SMITHERS DRIVE
City: BENTON
State: AR
Zip: 72015
Name: SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS REGIONAL LIBRARY
Address: 107 EAST JACKSON
City: MONTICELLO
State: AR
Zip: 71655
Name: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Address: 100 E. University
City: Magnolia
State: AR
Zip: 71753
Name: Tri-County Regional Library System
Address: 200 W. Stilwell Avenue
City: DeQueen
State: AR
Zip: 71832
Name: UNION COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 200 EAST 5TH STREET
City: EL DORADO
State: AR
Zip: 71730
Name: University of Arkansas Fort Smith
Address: 813 N. Waldron Rd.
City: Fort Smith
State: AR
Zip: 72913
Name: University of the Ozarks
Address: 415 N College Ave
City: Clarksville
State: AR
Zip: 72830
Name: WHITE COUNTY REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 113 EAST PLEASURE AVENUE
City: SEARCY
State: AR
Zip: 72143
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
After implementing the project in the previous year, the focus during the reporting period transitioned to stabilizing the user experience in the platform while onboarding the remaining libraries that opted to join the lending network. Throughout the reporting year, Arkansas State Library staff began conducting site visits and meetings in library development districts across Arkansas with the goal of facilitating connections among network libraries and promoting best practices in interlibrary lending. Starter Kits for network libraries were distributed to aid libraries in establishing supplies of shipping supplies that protect materials and offset a library's investment in beginning an ILL program with limited revenue to do so.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Mockingbird provided an infrastructure that supports discovery, sharing resources, and access to information for the residents of Arkansas. Resource Sharing is a tenet of the Arkansas Standards for State Aid to Public Libraries. Mockingbird allowed libraries of all sizes and types to fulfill that standard. The capacity of libraries to respond to the informational needs of their patrons is improved as resources are discovered, borrowed, and loaned. An unforeseen benefit of the system allows libraries to utilize the statewide catalog to aid in making acquisition and de-acquisition decisions that ensure better allocation of local resources and the preservation of rare materials.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
As the project transitions from the implementation stage to the maintenance stage, it is evident that the state library must play an active role in facilitating ongoing discussions and professional development opportunities in the area of interlibrary lending and the usage of the Mockingbird platform. In order to facilitate usage of the system and build confidence in the service, the state library recognizes the importance of developing strong professional networks within geographically designated areas with active network libraries. Strong connections between network libraries will ensure that the commitment of network libraries to each other increases and that Mockingbird further develops into a reliable and useful intrastate lending service and that the citizens of Arkansas benefit from the investment made in the 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:
Now that the platform has been established, future activities will be focused on a continuous review of best practices and usage guidelines for network libraries while facilitating connections between libraries closely situated geographically. More meetings and development opportunities will be facilitated to ensure healthy connections between the network libraries and increase dialogue around the potential future applications of the lending network. Work will also begin to develop asynchronous training materials in anticipation of library needs arising from staffing changes.
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: Resource Sharing, Access, Discoverability