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G2S Project Code: 2023-MD-92884
State: Maryland
Fiscal Year: 2023

Grantee
Maryland State Library Agency

Project Director
Director Name: Carrie Sanders
Director Phone: 667-219-4805
Director Email: carrie.sanders@maryland.gov

General Information
Title: Youth Services
State Project Code:
Start Date: 07/01/2023
End Date: 06/30/2024
Abstract: The Youth Services Coordinator (YSC) worked within the Public Libraries and State Networking Branch and collaborated often with the state-funded Youth Librarian at Maryland's State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled in the statewide study of the Project ENABLE curriculum they co-planned and led. Translating and printing the MD Day By Day family literacy calendar into Spanish by Carroll County Public Library offered early learning and family engagement for Spanish-speaking families. Teen LIVE at Howard County Public Library (HCPL) created a fun and engaging program for teens. HCPL also created a Kindergarten Readiness booklet in English and Spanish to educate young parents about the importance of early literacy skills. Blerdtino at the Montgomery County Public Library was a one-day program to educate young Black and Latino children about music, hip hop, and comic book culture.
State Goal: Informed and Thriving Marylanders

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$173,751.84

$0.00

$11,131.84

$184,883.68

Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Reading Program (Summer Reading)

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Summer Reading
Narrative: The Youth Services Coordinator (YSC) coordinated the statewide summer library program as a member of the Collaborative Summer Library Program consortium (CSLP), individualized by county. This program’s goal was to ensure that Maryland youth engaged in reading and other enrichment activities when school was recessed and schedules allowed for the exploration of interests. The 2023 CSLP theme was “All Together Now.” The YSC maintained statewide partnerships with the National Aquarium, the Baltimore Orioles, the Maryland Science Center, and the Maryland State Fair, which hosted the statewide Reading Ceremony as well as the award-winning, original program, Barnyard Bedtime Tales. Reading and digital literacy skills were nurtured as youth and families explored reading activities and digital platforms throughout their summer reading experiences. The YSC led five library systems in the IMLS project, Building Equity-Based Summers (BEBS), where staff pondered their ‘why’ of summer, traditional practices, increased community voices, and the evaluation of progress when building more equitable summer services.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Other
Format: Other
Other: Summer reading is a statewide partnership

Quantity

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: Yes
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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 24
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 3
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Early Literacy & Family Engagement
Narrative: The Youth Services Coordinator (YSC) provided opportunities for increased learning regarding early literacy and family engagement. The YSC partnered with instructors from Portland State University to lead a six-month learning cohort surrounding Inclusive Storytime practices. The YSC hosted a storytime training to help youth services managers lead staff in providing early learning programming. The YSC deepened a partnership with UMD’s LEAD Lab and MILE which led to growing awareness of the Hatchlings program and receipt of IMLS funds to evaluate the program and create a more culturally-responsive adaptation of the original content. In 2023, the YSC hosted a Youth Sensory Services Summit, which included the provision of two Sensory Kits, per Maryland library system, to support sensory programming.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Other
Format: Other
Other: This activity was a partnership between several organizations.

Quantity

Partner Information

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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 24
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 3
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Teen Services and Technology Education
Narrative: The Youth Services Coordinator (YSC) provided opportunities for increased awareness and learning in teen services and technology education. The YSC and a planning team coordinated an in-person September 2023 Teen Connect Conference supporting library staff passionate about teens. The YSC provided virtual and in-person training on the YALSA Transforming Teen Services (T3) curriculum, covering Connected Learning, Youth Development, and Equity. The YSC planned and led a four-part, virtual “Teens SOS” series to equip Maryland staff with skills and strategies for rebuilding relationships with teens and engaging with them through a trauma-informed lens. The YSC provided monthly opportunities for statewide STEM program sharing and updates about the Maryland STEM Festival from the Festival’s Director. The YSC promoted the SEAL Kits (Space Science Institute) to support the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 eclipses. The Make-IT Place online digital maker space for public libraries, developed in partnership with OER (Open Educational Resources), continued to be utilized for STEM planning and STEM professional development.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Other
Format: Other
Other: This activity incorporated in-person training and online training with a focus on better serving tweens and teens in libraries.

Quantity

Partner Information

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

Public Libraries: 24
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 3

Activity Details
Title: Teen LIVE
Narrative: Howard County Library System (HCLS) piloted a project TeenLive which opened branches to teens on Saturdays, half-days, and days schools were closed throughout the second half of the school year, hosted an event most months between January through July. TeenLive functioned as an affinity space where formal and informal activities were offered based on teen’s interests. Library staff were able to reconnect and form new relationships with more tweens and teens in the community. This project created a high-interest, multipurpose space to accommodate teens being sociable, and engaging in small group physical and creative activities. TeenLive also provided unstructured time to share knowledge, group play, and enhance peer relationships, as well as build on trusted relationships with Library staff. It promoted social and self-directed learning to explore personal interests and issues. TeenLive strengthened the library's capacity to serve teens and enabled teens to choose activities and their level of engagement with them.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Other
Format: In-person
Other: This was an open-ended program for teens

Quantity

Partner Information

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
For what age groups: 6-12 years
13-17 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: Teens

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: HOWARD COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 9411 Frederick Road
City: ELLICOTT CITY
State: MD
Zip: 21042

Activity Details
Title: Kindergarten Readiness Booklet
Narrative: This project developed a booklet (in multiple languages: English and Spanish) to guide families with children ages birth to age 5 (or expecting a baby) that stressed the practices of early literacy (reading, talking, singing, playing, and writing) as a priority in early childhood for all families. The library is a trusted source for early literacy activities and guidance and an ideal organization to deliver material directly to families and parents. This guide was intended to increase awareness of the importance of reading and child development milestones while modeling early literacy skills and activities.
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

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
For what age groups: 18-25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: HOWARD COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 9411 Frederick Road
City: ELLICOTT CITY
State: MD
Zip: 21042

Activity Details
Title: Blerdtino
Narrative: BLERDTINO @ MoComCon attracted over 5,500 participants on March 2, 2024, doubling the attendance from the previous year's MoComCon. (Black & Latino Comic Con Programming at Montgomery County Public Library's Annual Comic Convention.) This significant increase in attendance demonstrated the program's success in engaging and serving the targeted Black and Latino youth, as well as ESL learners. The event successfully provided an inclusive environment where attendees could express themselves, develop essential skills, and engage with literature and pop culture.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: In-person

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 60
Number of presentations/performances administered: 5
Average number in attendance per session: 177

Partner Information

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
For what age groups: 6-12 years
13-17 years
18-25 years
26-49 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Black
Hispanic
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Address: 21 MARYLAND AVE., SUITE 310
City: ROCKVILLE
State: MD
Zip: 20850

Activity Details
Title: Spanish Language Early Literacy Calendar
Narrative: Carroll County Public Library managed this grant to translate the previously printed Maryland Family Literacy Calendar into Spanish, thereby reaching more families and children. The Youth Service Coordinator coordinated translating and creating a Spanish version of the MD Day by Day early literacy calendar and provided approximately 6,000 copies statewide to Spanish-speaking families.
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: 6,000
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

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
Rural
For what age groups: 0-5 years
6-12 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Hispanic
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: Yes
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: CARROLL COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1100 GREEN VALLEY ROAD
City: NEW WINDSOR
State: MD
Zip: 21776

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Maryland libraries engaged more youth and families in their summer services in 2023. Overall, participation superseded pre-pandemic numbers from 2019. Maryland libraries, youth, and families embraced the 2023 theme, “All Together Now” and demonstrated positivity and acts of kindness to others in their community through intrinsic incentives offered to summer program participants. Greater accessibility and inclusivity were achieved via summer services through multiple kick-off events along with greater equity through the inclusion of community partners to co-host summer programs. Increased awareness and knowledge about accessible library services were also achieved through the statewide study of Project ENABLE. Heightened understanding of the public libraries’ role as a key educational partner and a supportive, positive resource for youth occurred through professional learning around how libraries can support structured reading instruction and trauma-informed engagement with teens.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
For the past two years, Maryland has participated in the IMLS, Building Equity Based Summer (BEBS) project - efforts by libraries to increase equity though greater outreach and increased community voice demonstrates application of the BEBS content being learned. State and local summer partnerships helped MD libraries reach families that had not previously been library users. The knowledge gained by staff about accessible library services, reading instruction, and trauma-informed support of teens’ mental health enabled them to grow in their confidence in these areas and participate in community conversations that highlighted how libraries can support learning for youth of all abilities and their social-emotional well-being in the midst of challenging times. The YSC observed great interest by staff in these areas, which will help inform future professional development offerings.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The impact of peer learning on professional development was evident through the public library teams that participated in the Project ENABLE statewide study. This peer learning model was also evidenced in the Youth Sensory Services Summit, the Teen Services Crash Course and Teens SOS Series, and the Building Equity-Based Summers project, where staff chosen to participate in these learning opportunities were tasked with sharing knowledge and resources with peers. Intentional thought about the under-resourced and marginalized communities lead to building greater equity through library services. The creation of a Spanish version of the MD Family Literacy Day by Calendar enabled more Maryland children to gain early literacy skills who often have limited early learning resources available to them. It was important to think about who was not being served and then intentionally include them and the community partners they trusted in collaboration and conversations so their needs were known and incorporated into planning programs and services.
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: