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G2S Project Code: 2023-MO-92788
State: Missouri
Fiscal Year: 2023
Grantee
WEBSTER GROVES PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Madison Morris
Director Phone: 314-961-3784
Director Email: mmorris@wgpl.org
General Information
Title: TMG: WGPL Computer Refresh
State Project Code: 2023-LBE3-TMG23-145
Start Date: 11/15/2023
End Date: 05/15/2024
Abstract: Technology Mini-Grants provide funds to public libraries to assist with funding technology and automation related equipment, other hardware, and software to improve the library’s network infrastructure. These grant funds can be used to replace older or purchase new equipment in order to provide improved library services.
State Goal: Build and Sustain Information Resources
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$9,481.00
$0.00
$1,788.84
$11,269.84
Intent(s)
Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.
Library Infrastructure & Capacity
Systems & Technologies
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Purchase and installation of technology
Narrative: The scope of this project was to replace aging technology both for library staff use and for customer use. With the funds from this grant WGPL was able to carry out the initial grant abstract. The library ordered seven new desktop computers to replace seven older staff computers. Once the new staff computers were installed, five of the old staff computers then replaced five very out of date OPAC computers for customer use. We also were able to order 3 new laptop computers to aid in VHS conversion, our book-a-librarian program, general programming, and community use for meetings/events.
Intent: Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.

Activity: Procurement
Mode:
Format:


Quantity
Number of equipment acquired: 0
Number of acquired equipment used: 0
Number of hardware items acquired: 17
Number of acquired hardware items used: 17
Number of software items acquired: 0
Number of acquired software items used: 0
Number of materials/supplies acquired: 0
Number of acquired materials/supplies used: 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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: WEBSTER GROVES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 3232 S BRENTWOOD BLVD
City: WEBSTER GROVES
State: MO
Zip: 63119
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Staff are now able to work more efficiently and effectively. This impacts their everyday work positively and also impacts the wider community because all aspect of the library run more smoothly when staff has better running technology. In regard to the laptop computers: VHS Conversion: Our VHS conversion service is free to anyone, not just library members, so it benefits a wide range of people who are always grateful to have their family memories preserved. It also brings new patrons to the library who hear word-of-mouth about the service or others who have done internet searches and learn that this is something we provide to anyone. Book-A-Librarian Laptop Use: The Reference Department provides a Book-a-Librarian service for patrons wanting assistance on a variety of topics. Under this program they can schedule dedicated time with the Reference Librarian. The most common request is from patrons interested in researching the history of their home. The Reference laptop is used for these appointments. Since February 8 the Reference Librarian has assisted 14 patrons, with appointments lasting between 30 and 90 minutes. The Reference Librarian provides a tutorial on how a patron can use the library’s online resources to research the history of their home, search the library's on-line collections of building permits, tax records and historical documents, access St. Louis County real estate records, and conduct searches through services such as ancestry.com and newspapers.com. Program and Community Meeting Laptop Use: The other laptop has enabled library staff to put on multiple programs. These programs bring people into the library and they leave having done something fun, something creative, or having learned something new. The public also checks out the laptop and uses it for the meetings they hold in the library's meeting room. The laptop creates flexibility for community members who might not have access to technology, enables library staff to help customers with the set-up of technology in the meeting room which is a regular request, enables groups to have effective communication during their meetings, and has an overall positive impact on the community at large.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Overall the outputs and outcomes really highlighted the flexibility that updated/new technology can help create within the library and also highlighted the various needs and uses that it has outside of just general public computer use.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The main lesson learned is the new-found flexibility the laptops provide the Reference Department and for programming and customers. Previous laptops were outdated and not particularly useful. With the updated equipment, staff and customers can use the laptops it in multiple ways. One future use staff anticipates is the connection of a scanner for document digitization projects. The library has a large collection of hardcopy documents to digitize and add to current online collections.
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: