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G2S Project Code: 2023-AR-92966
State: Arkansas
Fiscal Year: 2023
Grantee
Arkansas State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Taylor McKinney
Director Phone: 501-682-2867
Director Email: taylor.mckinney@ade.arkansas.gov
General Information
Title: Mockingbird
State Project Code: 30
Start Date: 10/01/2023
End Date: 09/30/2024
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: Lifelong Learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$115,504.00
$0.00
$0.00
$115,504.00
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Implementation and Instruction
Narrative: The program was without a dedicated coordinator for most of the fiscal year and because of this, the activities were reactive rather than proactive. The contract with Auto-Graphics was renewed for the continuance of the program and the Ashely County library was implemented. For established network libraries, activities continued to troubleshoot and identify system workflow issues, resolve 'dropped' ILL requests, negotiate resolutions with the vendor, and develop usage best practices for network libraries.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.

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


Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 139
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 12


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: ASHLEY COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 211 EAST LINCOLN STREET
City: HAMBURG
State: AR
Zip: 71646
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:
The Arkansas State Library negotiated a new contract, and the new project coordinator completed the onboarding and training process. The focus during the reporting period turned to maintaining the user base, implementing a new library, and planning professional development for network libraries. Additionally, a Best Practices document has been developed to guide participating libraries in order to align user experience across the state and strengthen the confidence of network libraries.
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 maintenance stage begins to take shape, the importance of providing best practice expectations alongside facilitating professional development opportunities grows more apparent. Building the confidence of network libraries through training and guidelines will empower libraries to utilize the Mockingbird platform to its fullest extent which will ensure the citizens of Arkansas benefit from the investment made in the project. Providing best practices guidelines and facilitating professional development training will synthesize user experience across the state, further strengthening the usefulness and reliability of the lending service.
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 best practices guidelines have been developed, 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. A regular meeting schedule 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