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G2S Project Code: 2023-CA-94089
State: California
Fiscal Year: 2023

Grantee
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LIBRARY COOPERATIVE

Project Director
Director Name: Christine Powers
Director Phone: 626-283-5949
Director Email: cpowers@socallibraries.org

General Information
Title: EmPOWERing Access: Health, Legal, Education, and Virtual Connection in California Libraries
State Project Code: LS-C-23-10
Start Date: 07/01/2023
End Date: 09/30/2024
Abstract: The EmPOWERing Access project provided California libraries and their communities with accessible privacy booths, solar charging devices, and repair kits, along with programs to connect Californians with these resources. The project expanded access to library resources and to community resources beyond the library walls. Privacy booths enable libraries to provide community members with access to online medical, legal, educational, and career resources via videoconferencing which requires reliable internet and a private space. They helped bridge the digital divide for the 20 percent of Californians lacking access to high speed broadband. The solar charging devices help community members charge and use their devices sustainably at the library and help libraries provide communities with access to reliable power during brown and blackouts periods. The repair kits promote sustainability and enabled users to repair their own devices. The majority of Californians who participated in repair kit clinics said they learned something new, will use what they learned, and became more aware of library services and resources.
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

$503,372.00

$0.00

$503,372.00

Intent(s)
Improve library operations.
Literacy
Library Infrastructure & Capacity

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Purchase of Pillar ADA Accessible Privacy Booths
Narrative: The EmPOWERing Access: Health, Legal, Education, and Virtual Connection in California Libraries project provided communities with accessible privacy booths in their local libraries. The project expanded access to library resources and to community resources beyond the library walls. It enabled libraries to provide community members with access to online medical, legal, educational, and career resources via videoconferencing which requires reliable internet and a private space. The project also supported California’s Broadband for All initiative by helping bridge the digital divide for the 20 percent of Californians lacking access. Seventeen booths were provided to libraries.
Intent: Improve library operations.

Activity: Procurement
Mode:
Format:

Quantity
Number of equipment acquired: 17
Number of acquired equipment used: 17
Number of hardware items acquired: 0
Number of acquired hardware items used: 0
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: 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

Activity Details
Title: Purchase of solar charging devices and repair kits.
Narrative: The Southern California Library Cooperative acquired solar charging devices and repair tool kits for libraries to expand access to library resources and support skill building through local library programming. The solar charging devices help community members charge and use their devices sustainably at the library and help libraries provide communities with access to reliable power during the brown and blackouts that are becoming more common with climate change. The repair kits promoted sustainability and enable users to repair their own electronic devices. The majority of Californians who participated in programs focusing on the kits said they learned something new, will use what they learned, and are more aware of library services and resources.
Intent: Improve library operations.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 1,123
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 0
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0

Partner Information

Activity Details
Title: Library programs with iFixit Repair Tool Kits
Narrative: Local libraries presented a series of programs focusing on sustainability and increasing communities’ Do It Yourself (DIY) skills through the EmPOWERing Access: Health, Legal, Education, and Virtual Connection in California Libraries project. The project team at the Southern California Library Cooperative provided 26 libraries with a total of 525 repair kits and these libraries presented 63 programs for their communities. Examples of programs include a repair café, fix-it clinic, or "library of things" activity. The resources and programs empowered communities to learn DIY skills and expanded their access to library resources.
Intent: Improve library operations.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 8
Number of times program administered: 63

Partner Information

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: See Attached List - SCLC_BenOrgsiFixit
Address: 900 N Street
City: Sacramento
State: WA
Zip: 95314
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 134
Agree: 61
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 8
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 13
Non-Response: 3
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 105
Agree: 80
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 30
Disagree: 2
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 2
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 95
Agree: 89
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 22
Disagree: 9
Strongly Disagree: 5
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 135
Agree: 66
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 14
Disagree: 2
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 3
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 141
Agree: 51
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 22
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 5

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Patrons greatly appreciated the variety of resources offered through this project. Many were unaware but very happy to see that the library offered more than just books and computers to use. The accompanying programs and workshops held for the iFixit repair kits, which offered hands-on guided practice using the kits, were especially popular. Patrons mentioned they would like the toolkits to be better promoted and they wanted more of these programs and workshops. Program attendees were excited to know the public can be empowered to take responsibility for fixing items.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The feedback from patrons suggests there is a great desire for more of these types of projects which offer tangible items patrons can physically use. More outreach is needed to inform the public about other tools and resources available at the library besides books and computers, such as the items provided by this project. Patrons are eager to borrow repair kits, solar charging devices, and utilize the privacy booths. With such items as the iFixit repair kits, the public can be empowered to take responsibility for fixing items. The programs brought the public together which is the type of community engagement that enriches patron lives.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Any organization making a large group purchase must be prepared to balance the demand of libraries and the availability of items to be purchased. The Southern California Library Cooperative held an information session before launching the library application phase which helped the project staff get a better gauge on the demand for the items offered through the project. Identifying items to be purchased and making sure enough quantity could be sourced during the project period was also a challenge.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
No
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: literacy, access, medical