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G2S Project Code: 2023-OH-94005
State: Ohio
Fiscal Year: 2023
Grantee
State Library of Ohio

Project Director
Director Name: Jeff Regensburger
Director Phone: 614-644-6863
Director Email: jregensburger@library.ohio.gov
General Information
Title: Summer Library Program Grants Initiative
State Project Code:
Start Date: 04/01/2024
End Date: 08/31/2024
Abstract: Under this special grant program libraries across the state were able to request up to $2000 in federal dollars to enhance their 2024 Summer Library Programs/Summer Reading Programs with events that spark creativity and productivity, engage individuals, and benefit their communities. Funds were used to purchase program and presentation materials, supplies, and/or contractual services. All Ohio libraries were eligible to participate. A total of 46 grants were awarded. Though not required, many awardees chose to link their Summer Library Program grant initiatives to the 2023 Summer Library Program theme, “Adventure Begins at Your Library”
State Goal: Building Community Capacity and Engagement
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$60,707.56
$0.00
$30,425.28
$91,132.84
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Reading Program (Summer Reading)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Programming
Narrative: Thirty-two libraries provided a total of 98 SLP programs in 2024. On average, each program was approximately 60 minutes long with an average of 54 attendees. As noted, many of the programs aligned with the State of Ohio's Summer Library Program theme, "Adventure Begins at Your Library". Highlights of this year's program offerings included, "Ice and Fire Science Show with the Great Lakes Science Center" (Burton Public Library), "Solar System Step Out, Armstrong Air and Space Museum (McComb Public Library), "Science Day with COSI Connect Kits" (The Jackson City Library), "On the Trail with Lewis and Clark" (Wright Memorial Public Library), Wild Canids of North America (Clermont County Public Library) and "Journaling with a Mouse" (St. Paris Public LIbrary)
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

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


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 54
Number of times program administered: 98


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: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 32
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: 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: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Presentation
Narrative: 56 presentations were provided by the 39 institutions, with an average of 62 persons in attendance. Presentation titles/topics included "Who Gnu? Draw Along Adventures with Jeff NIchols" (Seneca East Public Library), "Flighted Birds of Prey - Midwest Falconry" (Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Memorial Library), "Only Owls - Glen Helen Raptor Center" (Pickaway County District Public Library), "Bring the Farm to You" (Southwest Public Library) and "Author Visit - Mindy McGinnis" (Andover Public Library).
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: 56
Average number in attendance per session: 62


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: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 39
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Acquisition
Narrative: Of the 46 libraries awarded Summer Library Program grant funds, 8 used some portion of those funds to purchase content for their library in support of their summer programming.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 128
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 1


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: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 46
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Summer library programs in 2024 saw a continuation of the trend towards more in-person programs. The relatively high average attendance rates suggest that the library as gathering place and community anchor remains strong. Programming remains focused on children, caregivers and families. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues or if the State Library's new Adult Services Consultant can create more interest in adult programming. It was clear in reviewing the programming reports that many libraries used the Collaborative Summer Reading Program Theme, "Adventure Begins at Your Library" in their programs.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Interest in the Summer Library Program grant initiative remains high. While the award amount is modest, it's clear from the programming and service reports that many communities benefit from the availability of funds. It's an initiative that dovetails well with the Collaborative Summer Reading initiative as well as the work of the State Library of Ohio's Youth Services Consultant. Summer weather, summer school breaks and the availability of LSTA funds give libraries a unique opportunity to connect with their communities. It's notable too that interest in nature and the outdoors remains a consistent and popular programming topic.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
While $2,000.00 was offered in this year's grant initiative, the average award in FFY23 for SLP grants was $1,380.41. That's significantly more than both FFY22 ($1,252.12) and FFY21 ($1,223.21), but still well lower than the maximum award amount. This suggests libraries are being relatively conservative with their "asks". The increase itself also suggests two possible explanations; that libraries are continuing to increase programs and programming, or more simply that things cost more than they did in previous years.
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: summer programs, summer reading