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G2S Project Code: 2024-OR-94799
State: Oregon
Fiscal Year: 2024

Grantee
State Library of Oregon

Project Director
Director Name: Buzzy Nielsen
Director Phone: 971-375-3486
Director Email: buzzy.nielsen@slo.oregon.gov

General Information
Title: Access for the Underserved
State Project Code:
Start Date: 07/01/2024
End Date: 09/30/2025
Abstract: The State Library of Oregon uses LSTA funds to extend library services to communities with limited access to resources. This year, funds supported consulting services and subgrant projects focused on making programs and services accessible. Through these projects, libraries in Oregon provided relevant services to communities that are underserved and under-resourced.
State Goal: Break down barriers

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$192,421.43

$0.00

$192,421.43

Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Collection Development & Management
Outreach & Partnerships

Activities

Activity Details
Title: Sage Courier (subgrant)
Narrative: The Sage Library System spans 15 counties of rural Eastern Oregon. The Sage courier enables materials to be transported to academic, public, school, special, and Tribal libraries located within this vast area. LSTA funds helped pay for courier service providers who delivered twice weekly, 5 days per week, or on an as-needed basis. Project staff monitored the providers to ensure timely service and cost-effective delivery, implementing adjustments as needed.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Physical

Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 183,326
Average number of items circulated / month: 15,277
Total number of ILL transactions: 0
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 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

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: Sage Library System
Address: 2400 Resort St
City: Baker City
State: OR
Zip: 97814

Activity Details
Title: Consulting
Narrative: The State Library’s Community Engagement Consultant consulted with libraries on extending services to Oregon communities with limited access to resources. Topics included collection development, serving rural areas, and programs and services.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: Combined in-person & virtual

Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 48
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 4

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: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 136
Academic Libraries: 48
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 7
Special Libraries: 28
School Libraries: 452
Other: 26

Activity Details
Title: Improving Technology Accessibility (subgrant)
Narrative: A public library improved access to library technology for patrons with disabilities. They used grant funds to purchase accessible software and furniture for three existing computers in the library: two in the adult computer area and one in the children’s room. See attached Improving Tech - Photos for pictures of the updates.
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: 1
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: Libros for Oregon (subgrant)
Narrative: Libros for Oregon is a program run by the Oregon Library Association that enhances accessible language collections in libraries, particularly small and rural ones. This year LSTA grants funds helped Libros for Oregon purchase materials for 3 public libraries and 5 school libraries. The group purchasing model allowed libraries to get new titles on niche topics such as small animal farming, fermentation, engine repair, computer literacy, and self-help.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

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: 1,500
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0

Partner Information

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Rural
For what age groups: All Ages
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Hispanic
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: Spanish-speakers

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Bend-La Pine School District
Address: 520 NW Wall St
City: Bend
State: OR
Zip: 97703
Name: Centennial School District
Address: 18135 SE Brooklyn
City: Portland
State: OR
Zip: 97236
Name: CORNELIUS PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1355 N BARLOW ST
City: CORNELIUS
State: OR
Zip: 97113
Name: Eugene School District
Address: 200 N Monroe St
City: Eugene
State: OR
Zip: 97402
Name: LAKE COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT
Address: 513 CENTER ST
City: LAKEVIEW
State: OR
Zip: 97630
Name: Oregon Library Association
Address: PO Box 3067
City: LaGrande
State: OR
Zip: 97850
Name: Portland Public Schools
Address: 501 N. Dixon St
City: Portland
State: OR
Zip: 97227
Name: SEASIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1131 BROADWAY
City: SEASIDE
State: OR
Zip: 97138
Name: Springfield School District
Address: 640 A Street
City: Springfield
State: OR
Zip: 97477

Activity Details
Title: Talk Time (subgrant)
Narrative: A community college worked with a public library to provide tutoring and conversation practice to improve language skills. Librarians, volunteers, academic coaches, and childcare staff were on hand each week to help facilitate group conversations and one-on-one assistance. The libraries supplied learning materials such as dictionaries, beginning reading and writing books, and electronic resources.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: In-person

Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 379
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 32

Partner Information

Activity Details
Title: Wireless Printing (subgrant)
Narrative: A county law library made wireless printing available to library patrons who did not have access to their own printer. Patrons often come to the law library looking to quickly print documents that have been emailed to them, court documents they have created through the court system, or images for court case evidence such as text messages. Using LSTA funds, the library purchased a laser printer, movable printer stand, and toner cartridges, and then created an instructional sign for patrons on how to use the new printer. Now patrons can quickly and easily print documents from their own devices.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 1
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

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: Marion County Law Library
Address: 100 High Street NE B181
City: Salem
State: OR
Zip: 97301

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Consulting: The Community Engagement Consultant visited four libraries in Oregon to learn about their programs and services and help make them more accessible to communities. Improving Technology Accessibility (subgrant): In the children’s room, the computer with the new accessible keyboard and mouse went from the least-used of the four kids’ computers to the most-used. Libros for Oregon (subgrant): Libraries engaged in 16 different community engagement activities to promote their new materials. Activities included displays, story times, and student projects. See attached Libros for Oregon - Photo for a picture of a promotional event. Several libraries saw increased usage and interest in their accessible language collections. One library reported that circulation of the collection increased from 4 books last year to 74 books this year. Sage Courier: The courier achieved its objectives of furthering resource sharing by the transport of items amongst member libraries. They saw a 10% increase in circulation during this period over the same period last year. Deliveries were consistent and timely and enabled libraries to continue meeting ever increasing demands for resources beyond the budget of each local library. Talk Time (subgrant): Attendance at Talk Time sessions increased 10 to 20% each month. Attendees came from a variety of backgrounds. The public library added resources to their collection that will assist volunteers in creating conversation groups for people to improve their language skills. Wireless Printing (subgrant): Approximately 27 patrons printed 185 pages between mid-May, when the printer was installed, and the end of August.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
These projects have increased access to library services and materials for many Oregonians. They also expanded the knowledge that many community members have about the resources of their library. Being involved in such projects has opened libraries’ eyes to other ways to improve accessibility and resource availability. The Community Engagement Consultant noted that more libraries have reported starting projects, programs, and services to enhance access to resources.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Coordination between multiple organizations can be complicated, and assigning a lead for the project who is close to the work helps smooth the process. It is also important to take advantage of existing infrastructure where available for cost savings.
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:
Objective will stay the same, but specific activities vary year to year (especially subgrants).
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: access, underserved, accessibility