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G2S Project Code: 2024-NE-94969
State: Nebraska
Fiscal Year: 2024
Grantee
Nebraska Library Commission

Project Director
Director Name: Christa Porter
Director Phone: 402-471-3107
Director Email: christa.porter@nebraska.gov
General Information
Title: Library Improvement through Consultation and Training
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2023
End Date: 09/30/2024
Abstract: Nebraska’s four regional library Systems are full partners with the Nebraska Library Commission in its efforts to develop and improve library services statewide. This partnership is reflected in the written agreement between the Commission and the Systems which lays out the following purposes: To provide a mechanism for development of cooperative programs among libraries and communities to address library service needs; to work with the Commission and libraries to improve local and regional service development; and to promote and enhance libraries and library services within the regional library development. The expectation for these services is collaborative planning with the Nebraska Library Commission to achieve effective use of resources.
State Goal: Sustainability of library programs and services
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$262,946.50
$318,709.00
$0.00
$581,655.50
Intent(s)
Improve library operations.
Continuing Education and Staff Development
Library Skills
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Library Improvement through Consultation and Training
Narrative: The obligation portion of the agreement between the Nebraska Library Commission and the Systems states that each System will offer training, consultation, promotion, and development in the following areas: Strategic planning, public library accreditation, librarian and library board certification, children and young adult services, technology development, the state’s eBook collaborative, the open-source Pioneer Consortium ILS, statewide databases, personnel management training, Basic Skills classes, services to the blind/visually impaired, and other Commission initiatives. The Systems provide programs and services designed to meet the needs of libraries within each System service area. These encompass a wide variety including email newsletters, online mailing lists, scholarships, cooperative purchasing; CD/DVD disc repair and cleaning; cooperative collections (audiobooks, CDs); sharing of large-print books; book binding repair; book club kits;early learning materials; author visits; personnel management materials;regional meetings of library directors; social media sites (Facebook,Pinterest), makerspace equipment, and STEAM kits among others. The agreement between the Nebraska Library Commission and the Systems ensures that efforts on the part of System staff and boards will focus on improving library services in response to community needs. Formal and informal training as well as consultation and drop-in services offer response to both recognized and unrecognized needs on the part of library staff and boards.
Intent: Improve library operations.

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


Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 1,600
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 150


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: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 271
Academic Libraries: 51
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 4
Special Libraries: 95
School Libraries: 890
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Nebraska's Regional Library Systems are effective partners in statewide library development. Regional staff have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide information, consultation, training, and support for libraries within their multi-county regions. The regional systems are especially important and effective in their work with Nebraska's rural libraries. Library staff turnover is a challenge that regional systems routinely address.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The ability of the regional system staff to make on-site visits is key to developing rapport with librarians and library workers, and help the Nebraska Library Commission meet its goals on a localized level.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The ability to make personal connections is important to establishing effective relationships with library workers throughout Nebraska. Even more important is the staffing at the state and regional level that offer trusted, reliable, accurate, and timely support for Nebraska libraries and through them to the Nebraska residents.
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: Consultation, Training