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G2S Project Code: 2023-CA-93562
State: California
Fiscal Year: 2023

Grantee
CALIFA GROUP

Project Director
Director Name: Paula McKinnon
Director Phone: 415-271-3915
Director Email: pmackinnon@califa.org

General Information
Title: California Revealed
State Project Code: LS-C-23-01
Start Date: 07/01/2023
End Date: 09/30/2024
Abstract: The California Revealed project continued to preserve and share California histories for all Californians, prioritizing under-resourced collections and communities that are underrepresented in the historical narrative. Project staff collaborated with 138 organizations to describe, digitize, and preserve materials from their collections and make them available online for educational use, and supported cataloging projects for 32 organizations, cataloging a total of 17,826 items. The project also provided training for six organizations to host their own community archiving workshops where a total of 1,732 items were cataloged, and hosted training for workers in nine public libraries to help them build and support their Memory Lab programs. An Impact Evaluation assessed the project's impact and preservation needs in relation to its mission and goals, focusing on equitable impact and long-term sustainability. Currently, the project website, californiarevealed.org, hosts 165,204 objects, representing collections from 414 organizations and 42 counties across the state.
State Goal: Goal 4: Strengthen resource-sharing and access to information, services, and opportunity with an emphasis on local community strengths and challenges

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$1,484,475.00

$0.00

$21,295.00

$1,505,770.00

Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Library Infrastructure & Capacity

Activities
Activity Details
Title: California Revealed Demystifying Digitization In-Person Workshops
Narrative: California Revealed conducted four in-person regional workshops titled, "Demystifying Digitization: An Introduction to California Revealed." The workshops were designed to encourage local organizations to participate in California Revealed’s programs as well as empower them to coordinate their own digitization and preservation projects. Workshop content included information about California Revealed’s goals, workflow, and timeline, as well as basic best practices for collection assessment, selection for digitization, and digital preservation. The workshops took place at the Grass Valley Museum, San Diego County Library, Hayward Public Library, and Long Beach Public Library. The project team invited and met many new organizations based upon the recommendations of local hosts. 51 people attended, representing 29 public libraries, special libraries, and academic libraries. See attachment CalifaGroup_BenOrgs_DDworkshops.xlsx for full list of participating locales.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 180
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 13
Number of times program administered: 4

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

Activity Details
Title: California Revealed Demystifying Digitization Webinar
Narrative: California Revealed presented one webinar titled "Demystifying Digitization: An Introduction to California Revealed" which provided an overview of all programs and focused specifically on the first steps of assessment, selection, and nomination to set partners up to apply for the digitization and preservation assistance program. The goal was to encourage attendees to participate in the digitization program as well as empower them to coordinate their own local digitization and preservation projects. The webinar helped the project team expand their outreach and increase access to their resources. 118 registered for the webinar and 50 people representing 36 organizations attended. The recording of the webinar is available at the Internet Archive (https://archive.org/details/2024-demystifying-digitization-webinar). It can be repurposed for future training and continue to be a reference resource as part of the project guidelines (https://californiarevealed.org/digitize-and-preserve). See attachment CalifaGroup_BenOrgs_DDwebinar.xlsx for full list of participating locales.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 90
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 50
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Activity Details
Title: California Revealed Community Archiving Workshops
Narrative: The California Revealed project team worked with five community-based organizations to plan and host their own one-day community archiving workshop. The organizations were Deserted Films (with LGBTQ+ History and Archives); La Peña Cultural Center; Mill Valley Public Library; SCANNNERS archive; and Western Neighborhoods Project. Leading up to the workshops, to support local staff, California Revealed provided four webinars on the goals and process of a Community Archiving Workshop; scope and scale; data templates; and roles and workflow. They also provided mentorship throughout the process, attended three of the five workshops in-person, and - depending on the needs of the collections - set up digitization stations for print-based documents and VHS tapes as well as film inspection stations. California Revealed is one of three national sites for the Community Archiving Workshop Training of Trainers program (https://californiarevealed.org/caws).
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 90
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 2
Number of times program administered: 5

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: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Deserted Films
Address: 1391 S. San Mateo Drive
City: Palm Springs
State: CA
Zip: 92264
Name: La Pena Cultural Center
Address: 3105 Shattuck Avenue
City: Berkeley
State: CA
Zip: 94705
Name: LGBTQ+ History and Archives
Address: Palm Canyon Drive
City: Palm Springs
State: CA
Zip: 92264
Name: MILL VALLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 375 THROCKMORTON AVE.
City: MILL VALLEY
State: CA
Zip: 94941
Name: Scanners Archive
Address: 3131 Adams Avenue
City: San Diego
State: CA
Zip: 92116
Name: Western Neighborhoods Project
Address: 1617 Balboa Street
City: San Francisco
State: CA
Zip: 94121
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 4
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 4
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 3
Agree: 1
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 3
Agree: 1
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Activity Details
Title: California Revealed Memory Lab Training
Narrative: California Revealed provided a three-day intensive training at Los Angeles Public Library to support 14 librarians representing nine public libraries in planning and implementing Memory Labs locally. Project staff also provided virtual check-ins and a series of four webinars on: Equipment Sourcing, Set Up, and Workflows; Managing Expectations: Inventory, Select and Prioritize; Programs and Outreach; and Sustaining, Expanding and Preserving. The curriculum provided attendees with practical knowledge and hands-on experience using Memory Lab equipment and California Revealed’s digitization kits. The training was an opportunity for library workers to share and learn from each other, and strengthen regional connections. The Memory Lab Network was created to help individuals and communities across the United States to preserve their personal histories and recorded memories. By furnishing a free, do-it-yourself space for digitization of photos, documents, and audiovisual recordings, a Memory Lab provides an opportunity for organizations to connect with community members, save shared history, and drive home principles of preservation and access.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Combined in-person & virtual

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 90
Number of sessions in program: 5
Average number in attendance per session: 14
Number of times program administered: 1

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: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: CHULA VISTA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 365 F ST.
City: CHULA VISTA
State: CA
Zip: 91910
Name: CITY OF ANAHEIM PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 500 W. BROADWAY
City: ANAHEIM
State: CA
Zip: 92805
Name: CITY OF GLENDALE LIBRARY, ARTS & CULTURE
Address: 222 E. HARVARD ST.
City: GLENDALE
State: CA
Zip: 91205
Name: LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 630 W. FIFTH ST.
City: LOS ANGELES
State: CA
Zip: 90071
Name: PLACENTIA LIBRARY DISTRICT
Address: 411 E. CHAPMAN AVE.
City: PLACENTIA
State: CA
Zip: 92870
Name: SAN LEANDRO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 300 ESTUDILLO AVE.
City: SAN LEANDRO
State: CA
Zip: 94577
Name: SAN LUIS OBISPO CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 995 PALM ST.
City: SAN LUIS OBISPO
State: CA
Zip: 93401
Name: SONOMA COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 725 3rd Street
City: SANTA ROSA
State: CA
Zip: 95404
Name: WHITTIER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 7344 S. WASHINGTON AVE.
City: WHITTIER
State: CA
Zip: 90602
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 14
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 13
Agree: 1
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 12
Agree: 2
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 13
Agree: 1
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Activity Details
Title: California Revealed Impact Evaluation
Narrative: The California Revealed Advisory Committee and project team worked with an independent consultant to assess program services. The purpose of the evaluation was to appraise the project’s impact in relation to its mission and goals and assess routes forward that will maximize long-term sustainability. The evaluation focused on specific California Revealed project achievements, strengths, challenges, and aspirations, and identified community preservation needs and challenges. The evaluation team was particularly interested in understanding the project’s scope and reach, and barriers to participation. The final report is available on the California Revealed website: https://californiarevealed.org/mission-impact.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Planning & Evaluation
Mode: Retrospective
Format: Third party

Quantity
Number of evaluations and/or plans funded: 1
Number of funded evaluation and/or plans completed: 1

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: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: CALIFA GROUP
Address: 330 Townsend Street, Suite 133
City: San Francisco
State: CA
Zip: 94107-1658
Question 1: I believe the planning and evaluation addresses library needs.
Strongly Agree: 2
Agree: 5
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 1
Question 2: I am satisfied with the extent to which the plan or evaluation addresses library needs.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 2
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 5
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 1
Question 3: I believe the information from the plan or evaluation will be applied to address library needs.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 1
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 6
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 1

Activity Details
Title: California Revealed Digitization & Preservation Assistance
Narrative: California Revealed partnered with 121 cultural heritage organizations to digitize, preserve, and make available California heritage collections, including newspapers, photographs, audiovisual recordings, and digital materials. Participants described and nominated the materials to be digitized, ingested, and added to the online California Revealed Repository and the Internet Archive. The records are also accessible through the Digital Public Library of America, Calisphere, and WorldCat. Partner organizations received copies of their digitized materials. Preservation masters were saved offline on two sets of LTO data tape, with each set stored in two different geographic locations. Digital objects were updated and maintained for perpetual access, creating a permanent online archive of California's history. 39,243 texts, images, and audiovisual recordings were added to the californiarevealed.org this year. The website hosts 165,204 objects from over 414 organizations across the state, including 104,238 texts (mostly newspapers), 33,315 images, 14,849 audio recordings (mostly oral histories), and 12,802 moving image recordings.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Digital

Quantity
Number of items digitized: 39,243
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 39,243
Number of physical items: 0
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

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

Public Libraries: 186
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Question 1: I am satisfied that the resource is meeting library needs.
Strongly Agree: 88
Agree: 19
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: Applying the resource will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 79
Agree: 27
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 3
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Activity Details
Title: California Revealed Description Assistance
Narrative: California Revealed worked with 32 organizations to address collection backlogs and describe, catalog, and rehouse California-related library and archival materials. Thirteen organizations were new to the project: Calaveras County Archives; Educational Communications, Inc.; Emeryville Historical Society; Half Moon Bay History Association; Kansha Pasadena; Lodi Public Library; Louis Benainous; Mineral King Preservation Society; Monterey Japanese American Citizens League Heritage Center/Museum; Northwestern Pacific Railroad Historical Society; Self-Help Graphics & Art; St. Vincent's; and the Bradley Center, California State University Northridge. Participants created a total of 17,826 records that were optimized for digitization and online discovery. These records will be considered nominations for the digitization and preservation assistance program in the following fiscal year. This year California Revealed received 33 percent more requests for “Cataloging California” description assistance than last year. See attachment CalifaGroup_BenOrgs_CC.xlsx for list of participating locales.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Digital

Quantity
Number of items digitized: 17,826
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 0
Number of physical items: 0
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

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
134 participants representing 128 partnering organizations responded to impact surveys issued by California Revealed project staff. Respondents attested to the positive impact of participating in the project. Benefits include facilitating preservation planning and building capacity, increasing access to significant histories, and preserving stories previously unknown. 93 percent of respondents appreciated the resources available on the website, and many spoke to the team’s helpfulness. Due to a backlog caused by the pandemic, some respondents spoke of their frustration of collections being gone from their organizations to California Revealed for over a year, and wanting more transparency about the process and timeline. Project partners have good ideas for education and professional development, including: classes on digitization equipment and digital preservation, local “hands-on” training for physical archives, and establishing a regional network such as “referral assistance to other qualified, knowledgeable cataloging professionals in my local area.”
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The survey responses demonstrate the positive impact California Revealed has on its partner organizations. The recent pandemic caused delays in digitization processing time. To improve communication, project staff will present an introductory webinar in the next project period. The presentation will include an overview of the timeline, encourage partner participation in the process, and demonstrate how partners can check for California Revealed updates. California Revealed will also continue to communicate if there are any delays. Project staff will draw on feedback from partners when identifying topics for future project activities.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Local libraries and other organizations want to save their local history, but personnel, expertise, and technological infrastructure are often lacking. To help ease this gap, California Revealed offers a suite of services to meet a wide range of collections needs. Mentoring and building relationships and trust with partners take time. Preservation planning and implementation take time. Patience is key. Also, the project recognizes that preservation is an iterative process of refining services to meet the changing needs of the partners. Although the project provided a lot of support, it acknowledges the need to build capacity to provide one-on-one guidance and resources for all phases of digitization, and expand services into new areas.
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:
If the library has the capacity, it would like to offer additional training and resources, in-person and online as partners have requested. This would help the project meet the objectives of co-designing an educational program by and for its partners, which will strengthen our community of practice.
Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
Yes
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
Yes
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
Yes
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:
Administrative Records
Review Surveys
Direct Observation
Focus Groups
Did you collect any media for the data:
Photos
Audio
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Statistical Methods
Qualitative Methods
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
Targeted Sample – We selected based on a desired characteristic, e.g. age.
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Comparison for a reported output or outcome to another randomly selected group not participating in project: Data for this mixed methods study were compiled from a variety of sources including surveys, interviews, program statistics and program reports. Surveys included annual program impact surveys (online), workshop satisfaction surveys (online and print), and website user surveys (online) from FY19/20 to FY23/24. A sample of 19 current program partners were interviewed individually via Zoom and 12 additional program partners participated in two in-person focus groups. One Educator Fellow, the Educator Fellowship Advisor, seven peer organizations, CA-R team members, and the CA-R Advisory Committee were also interviewed. Sampling methods: - Impact surveys were sent to all participants in each program year (census). - Workshop surveys were sent to all workshop attendees (targeted). - Web user surveys were made available to anyone who visited the californiarevealed.org website (convenience sample). - Partner interviewees were selected based on specific characteristics to assure a range of partner characteristics such as preservation experience, staff skill, and resource availability (targeted sample). - One focus group was open to workshop participants (targeted sample); the other was open to program partners who attended the ALA conference (convenience sample). - Peer organization interviewees were selected based on comparability to California Revealed (targeted sample).

Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative

Project Tags: digitization, preservation, access