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G2S Project Code: 2023-WA-93221
State: Washington
Fiscal Year: 2023
Grantee
Washington State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Jude Guzzy
Director Phone: 360-704-5217
Director Email: jude.guzzy@sos.wa.gov
General Information
Title: Books and Ebooks Collection Development
State Project Code: 09550-2421-15
Start Date: 10/01/2023
End Date: 09/30/2024
Abstract: Washington State Library manages the Washington Digital Library Consortium's Anytime Library. The consortium is comprised of 44 small and mid-sized libraries and was created for the purpose of buying and sharing e-book and audiobook content. Consortial agreements allow for more purchasing power for these libraries. In parallel with the Washington Anytime Library is WSL's Palace Project, which is a partnership with Lyrasis to provide a distributor-agnostic platform for digital books and promote new licensing models for digital content. The Palace Project collection includes more than 32,000 titles including Washington-specific fiction, history, and banned books. Washington State Library is committed to paying for the implementation and hosting costs for partner libraries through 2026.
State Goal: Goal 1. Promote economic growth, access to education, and lifelong learning for all.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$91,633.41
$0.00
$942,093.49
$1,033,726.90
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
General (select only for electronic databases or other data sources)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Palace Project
Narrative: The Palace collection grew by 649 ebooks and 883 audiobooks, for a total of more than 32,000 items, with a preference for simultaneous, multi-user licensed titles. The number of partner libraries involved with the project has also increased by nearly 50%.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Digital


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: 0
Number of electronic materials acquired: 649
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 883


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: ANACORTES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1220 10TH ST
City: ANACORTES
State: WA
Zip: 98221
Name: ASOTIN COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 417 SYCAMORE ST.
City: CLARKSTON
State: WA
Zip: 99403
Name: BELLINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 210 CENTRAL AVE
City: BELLINGHAM
State: WA
Zip: 98225
Name: BURLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 820 EAST WASHINGTON AVENUE
City: BURLINGTON
State: WA
Zip: 98233
Name: Central Skagit Library District
Address: 100 W. State St. Suite C
City: Sedro Woolley
State: WA
Zip: 98284
Name: COLUMBIA COUNTY RURAL LIBRARY DISTRICT
Address: 111 S 3RD ST.
City: DAYTON
State: WA
Zip: 99328
Name: EVERETT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 2702 HOYT AVE
City: EVERETT
State: WA
Zip: 98201
Name: Jamestown S'Klallam Tribal Library
Address: 1033 Old Blyn Hwy
City: Sequim
State: WA
Zip: 98382
Name: KALAMA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 312 N 1ST
City: KALAMA
State: WA
Zip: 98625
Name: KELSO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 351 THREE RIVERS DRIVE, SUITE 1263
City: KELSO
State: WA
Zip: 98626
Name: SPOKANE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 906 W. MAIN AVE.
City: SPOKANE
State: WA
Zip: 99201
Name: WALLA WALLA COUNTY RURAL LIBRARY DISTRICT
Address: 37 JADE AVE.
City: WALLA WALLA
State: WA
Zip: 99362
Name: WHATCOM COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 5205 NORTHWEST DRIVE
City: BELLINGHAM
State: WA
Zip: 98226

Activity Details
Title: Management of the WDLC
Narrative: The project coordinator adds copies to the consortium weekly to maintain holds ratios, reduce wait times on popular titles, and replace expired licenses for items with holds. They also prepare budget projections, annual reports, and facilitate quarterly meetings of the WDLC's Executive Committee, which consists of six elected member representatives who make high-level decisions on behalf of the consortium. Member libraries make their own purchase selections to build the Washington Anytime Library collection, frequently spending beyond designated annual collection allocations. Those additions are not included in these numbers because they are not shared consortium-wide.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Digital


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: 0
Number of electronic materials acquired: 21,675
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 21,005


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: ANACORTES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1220 10TH ST
City: ANACORTES
State: WA
Zip: 98221
Name: BELLINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 210 CENTRAL AVE
City: BELLINGHAM
State: WA
Zip: 98225
Name: BURLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 820 EAST WASHINGTON AVENUE
City: BURLINGTON
State: WA
Zip: 98233
Name: CAMAS PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 625 NE FOURTH AVE.
City: CAMAS
State: WA
Zip: 98607
Name: CASTLE ROCK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 137 COWLITZ ST W.
City: CASTLE ROCK
State: WA
Zip: 98611
Name: CATHLAMET (BLANCHE BRADLEY) PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 100 MAIN ST
City: CATHLAMET
State: WA
Zip: 98612
Name: Central Skagit Library District
Address: 100 W. State St. Suite C
City: Sedro Woolley
State: WA
Zip: 98284
Name: CLE ELUM (CARPENTER MEMORIAL) LIBRARY
Address: 302 PENNSYLVANIA AVE.
City: CLE ELUM
State: WA
Zip: 98922
Name: COLUMBIA COUNTY RURAL LIBRARY DISTRICT
Address: 111 S 3RD ST.
City: DAYTON
State: WA
Zip: 99328
Name: DAVENPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 505 7TH ST
City: DAVENPORT
State: WA
Zip: 99122
Name: ELLENSBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 209 NORTH RUBY STREET
City: ELLENSBURG
State: WA
Zip: 98926
Name: Gilmour Memorial Library
Address: 200 N Pierce St
City: Kittatas
State: WA
Zip: 98934
Name: Guemes Island Library
Address: 7549 Guemes Island Rd
City: Anacortes
State: WA
Zip: 98221
Name: HARRINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: S 11 3RD STREET
City: HARRINGTON
State: WA
Zip: 99134
Name: JEFFERSON COUNTY RURAL LIBRARY DISTRICT
Address: 620 CEDAR AVENUE
City: PORT HADLOCK
State: WA
Zip: 98339
Name: KALAMA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 312 N 1ST
City: KALAMA
State: WA
Zip: 98625
Name: KELSO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 351 THREE RIVERS DRIVE, SUITE 1263
City: KELSO
State: WA
Zip: 98626
Name: LA CONNER REGIONAL LIBRARY
Address: 614 MORRIS ST.
City: LA CONNER
State: WA
Zip: 98257
Name: LIBERTY LAKE MUNICIPAL LIBRARY
Address: 23123 E. MISSION AVE
City: LIBERTY LAKE
State: WA
Zip: 99019
Name: LONGVIEW PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1600 LOUISIANA STREET
City: LONGVIEW
State: WA
Zip: 98632
Name: LOPEZ ISLAND LIBRARY DISTRICT
Address: 2225 FISHERMAN BAY RD
City: LOPEZ ISLAND
State: WA
Zip: 98261
Name: MOUNT VERNON CITY LIBRARY
Address: 315 SNOQUALMIE ST.
City: MOUNT VERNON
State: WA
Zip: 98273
Name: NORTH OLYMPIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 2210 SOUTH PEABODY STREET
City: PORT ANGELES
State: WA
Zip: 98362
Name: OCEAN SHORES PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 573 PT. BROWN AVE. N.W.
City: OCEAN SHORES
State: WA
Zip: 98569
Name: ODESSA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 21 E. FIRST STREET
City: ODESSA
State: WA
Zip: 99159
Name: ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY DISTRICT
Address: 500 ROSE STREET
City: EASTSOUND
State: WA
Zip: 98245
Name: POMEROY (DENNY ASHBY) LIBRARY
Address: 856 ARLINGTON ST
City: POMEROY
State: WA
Zip: 99347
Name: PORT TOWNSEND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1220 LAWRENCE STREET
City: PORT TOWNSEND
State: WA
Zip: 98368
Name: PULLMAN (NEILL) PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 210 N GRAND AVE
City: PULLMAN
State: WA
Zip: 99163
Name: PUYALLUP PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 324 S MERIDIAN
City: PUYALLUP
State: WA
Zip: 98371
Name: REARDAN MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Address: 120 S OAK
City: REARDAN
State: WA
Zip: 99029
Name: RICHLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 955 NORTHGATE DR
City: RICHLAND
State: WA
Zip: 99352
Name: RITZVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 302 W MAIN
City: RITZVILLE
State: WA
Zip: 99169
Name: ROSLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 201 S. FIRST ST.
City: ROSLYN
State: WA
Zip: 98941
Name: SAN JUAN ISLAND LIBRARY DISTRICT
Address: 1010 GUARD STREET
City: FRIDAY HARBOR
State: WA
Zip: 98250
Name: Shaw Island Library
Address: PO Box 844
City: Shaw Island
State: WA
Zip: 98286
Name: SPRAGUE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 119 WEST SECOND
City: SPRAGUE
State: WA
Zip: 99032
Name: UPPER SKAGIT LIBRARY DISTRICT
Address: 45770 B MAIN ST.
City: CONCRETE
State: WA
Zip: 98237
Name: WAITSBURG (WELLER) PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 212 MAIN STREET
City: WAITSBURG
State: WA
Zip: 99361
Name: WALLA WALLA COUNTY RURAL LIBRARY DISTRICT
Address: 37 JADE AVE.
City: WALLA WALLA
State: WA
Zip: 99362
Name: WALLA WALLA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 238 E. ALDER STREET
City: WALLA WALLA
State: WA
Zip: 99362
Name: WHATCOM COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 5205 NORTHWEST DRIVE
City: BELLINGHAM
State: WA
Zip: 98226
Name: WHITMAN COUNTY LIBRARY
Address: 102 S. MAIN STREET
City: COLFAX
State: WA
Zip: 99111
Name: WILBUR (HESSELTINE) PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 14 NW DIVISION
City: WILBUR
State: WA
Zip: 99185
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The rising costs and restrictive licensing of digital books have put a strain on the WDLC and funding for additional titles and copies has run out well before the end of the year for several years. The sharp increase in costs for this project, combined with the retirement of the previous long-time project coordinator, has led to a re-examination and overhaul of the WDLC's management. It has also highlighted the potential importance of the Palace Project, which could provide an alternative for libraries.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The library digital book market has been increasingly dominated by one vendor, which has led to a monopoly that is not advantageous for libraries. The WDLC may need to either push back against unfair terms and pricing, pay more for membership, or move to different platforms because the current model is not sustainable.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Many libraries are at a precipice with digital books right now. Ebook adoption and use skyrocketed during the pandemic when buildings were closed and there was stimulus money, but now libraries and patrons (and vendors) need to be realistic about digital book expectations. Patrons can be educated about digital book costs and cost-effective borrowing habits. Libraries can also prioritize purchasing titles with generous terms.
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: digital books