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G2S Project Code: 2023-PA-93725
State: Pennsylvania
Fiscal Year: 2023

Grantee
Pennsylvania Humanities Council

Project Director
Director Name: Julia Katz
Director Phone: (215) 925-1005
Director Email: jkatz@pahumanities.org

General Information
Title: Project READY
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2023
End Date: 09/30/2024
Abstract: Project READY is a professional development program focused on racial equity in library services. It provides a safe space for library professionals to explore and apply racial equity principles, addressing the challenges associated with being a librarian committed to equity. The program emphasized the need for authentic exploration of professional and personal identities, offering support from a leadership team. Participants engaged in discussions and activities aimed at challenging long-standing beliefs and facilitating change in library communities. The curriculum included modules on racial equity, skill-building, and discomfort as a normal part of the learning process. It also encouraged participants to advocate for equity in their libraries and provided resources for facilitating discussions and activities related to racial equity. The program empowered library professionals to create more inclusive library spaces specifically for black, indigenous, or youth of color (BIYOC).
State Goal: Libraries as Community Catalysts

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$222,991.91

$0.00

$222,991.91

Intent(s)
Improve the library workforce.
Other

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Project READY Community Culture Changers Convening
Narrative: The Pennsylvania Project READY team met at an in-person gathering (the second annual Community Culture Changers Convening, June 7-8, 2024) at Three Dots Downtown in State College, PA (see story attached to final report). At the convening, Project READY facilitators led workshops on implicit bias and microaggressions, and confronting colorblindness and neutrality. Their interactive presentations ignited curiosity and critical reflection on organizational policies and practices and sparked new ideas of what a more equitable and compassionate organizational culture could look and feel like for Black, Indigenous, and youth of color. Participants inquired about biases that might have impacted the experience of patrons and explored their roles as stewards of inclusive community spaces. The project evaluator also held a focus group to develop a logic model and key findings to support the project.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 480
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 20
Number of times program administered: 1

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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 12
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 1
Other: 1

Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 0
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: 0
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: 0
Agree: 0
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: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Activity Details
Title: Project READY Community of Practice
Narrative: Project READY participants engaged in discussions and activities aimed at challenging long-standing beliefs and facilitating change in library communities. The curriculum included modules on racial equity knowledge, skill-building, and discomfort as a normal part of the learning process. The program empowered library professionals to create inclusive library spaces specifically for black, indigenous, or youth of color (BIYOC). The 2023-24 program year was the second of three for this cohort to complete the 27-module curriculum. Project READY provided a dedicated space for library professionals for support focused on racial equity. It was a safe space for participants to question their core beliefs around equity and the role of libraries, helping them to shift their understanding of what it means to be a librarian amid polarization, book banning, and the active marginalization of communities. The project helped participants develop professional identities as equity-focused librarians.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 90
Number of sessions in program: 12
Average number in attendance per session: 8
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 10
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 4
Agree: 3
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: 5
Agree: 2
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: 4
Agree: 3
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: 7
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
In the second of three years of the first cohort of Project READY, the group was trained in the middle nine modules of the twenty-seven-module course. Outcomes centered around the personal and professional growth participants experienced in incorporating principles of racial equity into their work. Key areas included: Application - Applying the knowledge gained to participants' view of and understanding of youth and how to treat them equitably. Professional Identity Development - Participants highlighted tensions, responsibilities, and roles associated with being a librarian. Personal Identity Development - including grappling with the cognitive dissonance and discomfort associated with challenging their old, sometimes unexamined beliefs and ways of being with new information and experiences grounded in equity and racial identity development. Developing a compassionate and caring environment to create the appropriately contextualized environment needed to learn, explore, and enact personal and professional selves that are committed to equity. “I felt like when I stepped onto that Zoom, it's powerful. I felt supported. And I felt like someone said that we can talk about all the things we're struggling with in these library communities and we can get some positive feedback in real time." Responding to the anxiety experienced by participants as a result of the mental effort needed to embody equity principles through their actions while facilitating Project READY materials. “I need to, in my mind, make a distinction between preparedness and comfort. Because I feel prepared. But I don't feel comfortable.” Finally, participants considered how contextual shifts impacted their work. Such shifts include the evolution of how libraries are used, i.e. they are no longer spaces exclusively for quiet and reading. External shifts were also discussed, such as shifting socio-political views regarding race, diversity, and equitable practices. Deeper outcomes can be found in the Project READY Logic Model and Focus Group Findings.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The reflections and conclusions that Project READY participants reached, as described in the outcomes section above, had important impacts on how they, as part of the library workforce, implement racially equitable practices in their libraries and in their community interactions.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Providing a safe space - discussions of racial equity issues are complex and can be emotionally charged and draining. People need to feel safe, both personally and professionally, to express themselves, be heard and appreciate and integrate other's perspectives as they learn and grow. Participants expressed an eagerness to practice the skills and strategies they learned. however, planning those opportunities adequately is important. Library staff would also be receptive to separate projects that focus on other groups: “I would like to see similar projects that target other marginalized groups, because the purpose of Project READY is specifically focused on BIPOC. I think that that’s important and I would like to see growth in ways that have similar projects that take into consideration LGBTQ populations, disabled populations, economically disadvantaged populations."
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:
Yes
Explain:
With support from LSTA funding, we plan to continue with Project READY, concluding the final nine curricular modules with this cohort. Participants will expand their practice working with youth participating in out of school time humanities programs in library settings and other community spaces.
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: Yes
Exemplary NarrativePennsylvania Project READY exemplifies culturally relevant, responsive, affirming, and sustaining library programs and services to young people. Through a commitment to equity, belonging, and inclusion, this project strengthens resources for, services to, and relationships with BIYOC youth and communities. The nurturing support participants receive in community of practice sessions gives them the skills to facilitate complex and courageous conversations about race and racism in library contexts. Through these sessions, staff hold time and space to intentionally discuss racial equity and transformational library culture to support greater community engagement and cultural humility.

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