Grant Project Reports - 2003-2003

Grant Project descriptions by Project Cateogry
Grant Project descriptions by Library

Grant Project descriptions by Project Cateogry
Project Category Library or Libraries
Family Programs Canajoharie | Mahopac | Middle Country | Middleburgh | New York Public | Ogdensburg | Olean | Schenectady County | Swan | White Plains
Learning Kits Brooklyn | Cohoes
Literacy Programs Brooklyn | James Prendergast | Olean | Queens Borough | Warner
Parent Education Mahopac | Warner | White Plains
Service to families where English is a second language James Prendergast | Middle Country | Swan | Warner | White Plains
Service to low-income families Cohoes | Middleburgh | Ogdensburg | Warner
Service to newborns and toddlers Cohoes | New York Public | Ogdensburg
Service to pre-school children Brooklyn | Cohoes | Middleburgh | Queens Borough | Swan
Service to school age children Brooklyn | Canajoharie | James Prendergast | Mahopac | Oleany | Schenectady County | Warner
Service to struggling readers Warner
Service to underachieving school children Schenectady County | Warner
Technology Projects Mahopac | White Plains

Brooklyn Public Library

Donna Hubbard
718-455-3898 ex. 114

Family Literacy Backpacks --PowerPACK

$39,374.00
2002-03

Brief Project Description: Backpacks containing age appropriate books, videos, puzzles and games, along with activity guides for parents, were created to involve parents with the literacy activities of their pre-school and elementary-aged children.

Needs Addressed: Poor reading scores of over 50% of Brooklyn's fourth graders prompted the development of power-PACKS (Parent and Child Knowledge Saks). PACKS are also available for Spanish speaking children and children with hearing or visual impairments.

Target Audience: Students from Pre-Kindergarten through grade 8, including Spanish/Bilingual students and visually impaired and hearing impaired students living in the following Brooklyn communities: Bedford Stuyvesant, Bushwick, Coney Island, Crown Heights South, Flatlands, Ocean Hill and Williamsburg.

Community Partners and Their Roles:

  • Storybook II Family Literacy Even Start-informed parents of pre-k students about PowerPACK (PP). Teachers used PPs in their classrooms.
  • Audrey Johnson Day Care-Informed teachers, parents and students about PP. Used PPs in classroom.
  • Brooklyn Home Instructional Schools-encouraged families receiving Home Instruction to visit libraries with PPs.
  • Helen Keller Services for Blind-Children's Learning Center-Presented sample PP for Visually impaired.
  • St. Frances De Sales School for the Deaf- circulated special needs PP.

Specific Activities:

  • The distribution of 200+ PowerPACKS to the grade levels served was developed. Themes were identified and contents were ordered.
  • Staff orientation sessions were held at the 10 participating branches.
  • Workshops were held for patrons with hearing disabled children
  • Orientation at daycare centers.
  • Carrie Banks presented on Library Services for deaf or hearing impaired at ALA conference.

Staffing:

  • Library Staff-21 staff members on committee, 2-5 staff members at each branch
  • Community partners-4 served on committee

Costs:

  • Purchased Services-$3,500 for Graphic Designer and training specialist
  • Supplies and Materials-$35,174 for display racks, bookpacks, contents of packs and promotional materials.

Evaluation:

  • Quantitative
    • 229 PowerPacks were created and distributed. These have been circulated more than 800 times.
  • Qualitative
    • 122 response cards were received. 96% of patrons evaluated the packs as "excellent"

Changes/Recommendations:

Order materials from bookstore for earlier delivery or place order earlier; hold committee meetings in July instead of September. Displaying materials was effective-packs circulated without the need for a lot of staff promotion.

Categories of Service:

  1. Family Programs
  2. Services to School Age Children
  3. Learning kits
  4. Services to pre-school children

Canajoharie Library and Art Gallery

Eric Trahan
(518) 673-2314

Making Music Together

$7,050.00
2002-03

Brief Project Description: The library brought parents and children together with curriculum-based workshops and programs and materials based on music. In and after school programs taught songwriting and provided music programs for families.

Needs Addressed: The program was designed to use music as a vehicle to supplement the teaching of academic subjects, build creativity and learning skills and increase parental and community involvement in education.

Target Audience: Students and their parents or caregivers.

Community Partners and their Roles:

  • Canajoharie Central School District-school personnel assisted with planning and provided ideas on activities to coordinate with school programs. The school recruited and scheduled providers and coordinated and publicized the events.

Specific Activities:

  • A school based workshop, followed by a public concert/dance, taught Latin music and dance.
  • Eight after-school classes with music, crafts and songwriting were held at the library.
  • Evening concerts were held for families

Staffing:

  • Library Staff-108 hours
  • School Staff-60 hours
  • Volunteers-25 hours

Costs:

  • Purchased Services-$4,517 for workshops, in and after school programs, library workshops, publicity materials.
  • Supplies and Materials-$ 2,564 for library books, AV materials, book bags
  • Additional Funds-$ 2,250
  • In Kind Costs-$ 100

Evaluation:

  • Quantitative
    • 300 students participated in the school workshops. 120 attended the public concert/dance. Total attendance at the 8 after school sessions was 122. Total attendance at the six family concerts was 245. 198 items were added to the library collection and have been circulated 406 times.
  • Qualitative
    • School based workshops were extraordinarily popular and well received by teachers. Written evaluations of the after school program were positive. Informal interviews of families who attended the concert indicated a high level of satisfaction. Users want more.

Changes/Recommendations: Start planning and promotion earlier.

Categories of Service:

  1. Service to school age children
  2. Family programs

Cohoes Public Library

Deborah Canzano
(518) 235-2570

Reading Together

$6,925.00
2002-03

Brief Project Description: Cornell Cooperative Extension's Bookstart program trained parents to read with their children and provided materials to start a home library.

Needs Addressed: The grant promoted library resources and familiarity with and comfort in a library setting for the low income and low reading level community that the libraries serve.

Target Audience: Families served by the Cohoes and Watervliet Housing Authorities.

Community Partners and their Roles:

  • Cohoes and Watervleit Public Libraries- provided knowledge of the Bookstart program, trained Even Start staff, offered library facilities, collections and knowledge of children's literature
  • Riverfront Even Start Family Literacy Links Program- recruited families, ran workshops, kept statistics
Specific Activities:
  • Parents attended 5 workshops at the library:
    1. Why Books
    2. Choosing Books for Babies, Toddlers and Young Children
    3. Using Books to Begin Conversations with Children
    4. Making Children's Books
    5. The Pubic Library.
  • Parents and children participated in individual visits with Even Start staff and discussed concepts learned in Bookstart workshops.
Staffing:
  • Library Staff-50 hours
  • Even Start Staff-135 hours
Costs:
  • Purchased Services-$2,180 for Even Start facilitator, child care problems
  • Supplies and Materials $4,745 for workshop materials, childcare supplies, bibliographic materials and resources.
  • Additional Funds-$ 2088.68
Evaluation:
  • Quantitative
    • 16 families serves, 17 workshop participants, 110 materials distributed.
  • Qualitative
    • Participants indicated improved understanding of concepts related to reading as families. Participants enjoyed workshops.
Changes/Recommendations: Increase funding for books to be given to families. There was difficulty attracting enough families, arrangements were made for taxis and car pools but these were not effective enough.

Categories of Service:

  1. Family Programs
  2. Parent Education

James Prendergast Library Association (Jamestown)

Camille Guinnane
716-484-7135 ext. 234

Sharing Stories: Establishing a Library Connection while Creating Literacy Pride and Cultural Awareness

$17,134.00
2002-03

Brief Project Description: ESL students collected family stories and wrote and illustrated books.

Needs Addressed: The growth of the local Hispanic population necessitates enhanced ESL services, increased sensitivity to cultural diversity and created greater opportunities for cultural art.

Target Audience: Children enrolled in ESL program and their families.

Community Partners and their Roles:

  • James Prendergast Library Children's Department- co-planned project
  • Jamestown Public Schools Department of World Languages- co-planned project
  • Jamestown Public Schools After Schools Programs-included library as part of their program
  • Reachout Ministries at First Church of God- included library as part of their program
  • Kids @ Promise to XL-included library as part of their program
Specific Activities:
  • Students collected stories on tape or in writing
  • Students stories were translated into English or Spanish and illustrated
  • Stories were edited and sent to be bound
  • Copies of stories were distributed to the authors, the school and to the libraries circulating collection.
  • A final reception was held
Staffing:
  • Library staff: 32 hours/month
  • Project staff: 146 hours for ESL and Spanish Teachers; 260 hours for After School Program staff.
Costs:
  • Salaries and Benefits: $8,009 for project coordinator services
  • Purchased Services: $3,750 for Spanish teacher's translation and editing services
  • Supplies and Materials: $5,375 for books and other library materials
Evaluation:
  • Quantitative:
    • 35 children wrote books. 85 books were published. 109 people attended the final reception
  • Qualitative:
    • Teachers were pleased with the effect of the project on their students. Authors and their parents were very proud of the material produced.
Changes/Recommendations: Consider having instructor make participation mandatory; broaden focus to include more groups-seek out church and youth groups; have final product available at time of celebration; be less ambitious in scope and concentrate more on quality.

Categories of Service:

  1. Service to families where English is a second Language
  2. Service to school aged children

Mahopac Public Library

Patricia Kaufman
845-628-2009

C.O.R.E Computers and Online Research

$7,800.00
2002-03

Brief Project Description: The library developed a set of core competencies for computer use by fifth grade students. Workshops in the school and the public library taught students and parents together.

Needs Addressed: Mahopac schools utilize a web-based software that allows parents to track their children's performance. Some families do not have computers or access to the internet. Furthermore, some students are lacking in basic computer skills. Students need to gain skills in evaluating online material and to develop a better understanding of the resources available at the library.

Target Audience: The fifth grade classes of Lakeview elementary schools and their parents.

Community Partners and their Roles:

  • Mahopac Central School District- Assisted in definition of core competencies, provided equipment and space for workshops, provided technical support, distributed information about library computer and internet resources.
  • Lakeview Elementary School PTO- Provided after school workshops.
  • Mahopac Library Board of Trustees- Provided staff, equipment and space for workshops.

Specific Activities:

  • Five one-hour workshops were held for each of the 6 fifth grade classes.
  • 12 workshops were held after school
  • 12 library-based workshops were held for parents
  • $1,000 of print and non-print material was purchased to reinforce workshop instruction.
  • Library developed 10,000 copies of brochure for distribution in the community.

Staffing:

  • Library staff-60 hours
  • Project staff-246 hours
  • Cooperating agency staff-48 hours

Costs:

  • Purchased services: $6,966 for workshop provider and printing costs
  • Supplies and Materials: $ 1206 for library books, software and videos

Evaluation

  • Quantitative:
    • 127 students attended the workshops held in school. 8 students attended after school workshops. 16 parents and children attended library workshops.
  • Qualitative:
    • Teachers felt that the classes were very successful. Students enjoyed research project.

Changes/Recommendations: Allot more time to planning. Ensure that space and equipment would meet the needs of the project.

Categories of Service:

  1. Technology Projects
  2. Service to School age children
  3. Parent education

Middle Country Public Library (Centereach)

Mary Schumacher
631-585-9393 x 228

Family Place Long Island: Reaching Diverse Families

$25,000.00
2002-03

Brief Project Description: A parent and child center with resources in other languages and learning activities for young children from underserved families was created in four libraries.

Needs Addressed: This project addresses the need for resources for families that don't speak English or are unfamiliar with or intimidated by libraries.

Target Audience: Diverse families living within the five participating library districts.

Community Partners and their Roles:

  • Freeport, Central Islip, Middle Country, Rockville Center and South Huntington Libraries - developed Family Place and related materials.
  • Libraries for the Future - staff training, evaluation, planning.
  • Various religious and community organizations (e.g. BOCES, LVA) - provided publicity
  • Various social service agencies - referred individuals and families to the library

Specific Activities:

  • Identified a Family Place Outreach Librarian.
  • Developed printed material in languages other than English.
  • Increased collection materials in languages other than English.
  • Developed a Family Place area.
  • Developed partnerships with community agencies.

Staffing:

  • Library staff-10.5 hours per week
  • Partner agency staff-10.25 hrs/week
  • Volunteers-.5 hours a week

Costs:

  • Salaries: $15,000 for family place outreach librarians
  • Purchased Services: $3,500 for evaluation consultants and translation services
  • Supplies and materials: $6,500 for bilingual parenting materials and parent child Early Learning station for Family Place area.

Evaluation:

  • Quantitative
    • 25 materials were translated into Spanish; 835 foreign language parenting and early childhood materials were developed; an average of 228 families a day are visiting the family place areas; 810 families were served through programs and outreach; 22 librarians attended the 8 workshops offered through Family Place.
  • Qualitative
    • Parents described the Family Places as "warm and welcoming." Librarians reported that the workshops provided valuable information, raised sensitivities and made them more at ease about approaching diverse families.

Changes/Recommendations: Finding the statistics on the target families was a challenge. Perhaps it would be useful to have new patrons give more info when they register, e.g., languages spoken.

Categories of Service:

  1. Service to families where English is a second language.
  2. Family Programs.

Middleburgh Library

Mary France
518-827-5142

Family Resources at the Library

$24,570.00
2002-03

Brief Project Description: The Middleburgh library developed a resource collection for parents and caregivers and an early childhood learning pace for toddlers/preschoolers.

Needs Addressed: Nineteen percent of the children in Schoharie County live below the poverty line. Health, social and education resources are limited and primarily located in Cobleskill. Lack of transportation and lack of awareness of the availability of resources preclude many families from receiving assistance.

Target Audience: Families with young children who are at risk in their social, academic and physical development.

Community Partners and their Roles:

  • Schoharie County Community Action Program, Mohawk Valley Library system and Head start of Schoharie County - provided planning assistance and publicity
  • Dept. Of Health-Early Intervention program, Cooperative Extension of Schoharie County and Family and Community Services of Schoharie County - provided workshops on development issues.

Specific Activities:

  • Family Resource Centers were developed at each of the four Schoharie County Libraries.
  • Workshops and story hours were held, informing families of available resources.

Staffing:

  • Library Staff - 160
  • Project staff- 120
  • Cooperating agencies-48

Costs:

  • Purchased services: $3,545.00 for story hour presenters, graphic design work, printing and clerical work
  • Supplies and Materials: $ 19,680.00 for books, videos, toys, story hour carpets, brochure racks and storage units.
  • Travel Expenses: $683.00
  • In-kind: $ 1,500.00 overhead and staff time

Evaluation:

  • Quantitative:
    • Sixteen workshops were held for parents and sixteen story hours were held for families. Total attendance at the workshops was 8 and attendance for the story hours was 392. Each library purchased books, videos, educational toys and other equipment. 1, 520 materials have been circulated.
  • Qualitative:
    • Verbal feedback indicated that participants were very pleased with programs. Children and parents were delighted with the new range of materials available.

Changes/Recommendations: There was difficulty getting adults to participate on account of problems with weather and scheduling conflicts. Better publicity may have helped.

Categories of Service:

  1. Family Programs
  2. Service to low-income families
  3. Service to pre-school children

The New York Public Library, The Branch Libraries

Margaret Tice
212-340-0903

Baby and Me: Lapsit Programs in the Urban Environment

$34, 617.00
2002-03

Brief Project Description: A training program for children's librarians offered help and instruction for planning children's programs in diverse urban settings. Librarians received training in offering lapsit/toddler programs.

Needs Addressed: Over half of NYC schoolchildren read below grade level. Success in learning how to read is based on developing pre-literacy skills early in life.

Target Audience: Children between the ages of 6 months and two years and their caregivers.

Community Partners and their Roles:

  • Bank Street College of Education: Planned the training of library staff and the lap sits themselves
  • Various childcare centers: provided publicity and/or caregivers and children for the workshops.

Specific Activities:

  • Planned and conducted training workshops.
  • Selected and ordered Library materials, distributed materials to branches
  • Children's librarians planned and held lapsit programs.
  • Children's librarians evaluated programs and handed out surveys to participants.

Staffing:

  • Library staff, administrative: 525 hours
  • Branch children's librarians: 231 hours

Costs:

  • Purchased services: $1, 110 for a trainer
  • Supplies and materials: $33, 517 for instructional pamphlets, materials for programs and library materials for parents and young children

Evaluation:

  • Quantitative:
    • 34 workshops/programs were held. There were 689 workshop/program participants. 2,217 materials were circulated. 13,080 materials were distributed.
  • Qualitative:
    • Evaluation comments for the training workshops were very positive. 39 of 42 parents surveyed said they were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the program.

Changes/Recommendations: Scheduling time with partners was difficult on account of busy schedules on both sides. Strong ties with organizations with similar clients were useful in promoting attendance.

Categories of Service:

  1. Services to Newborns and toddlers.
  2. Family programs.

Ogdensburg Public Library

Bonnie Wright
(315) 393-4344

Babies, Parents, Books: A Project in Early Literacy Intervention

$40,700.00
2002-03

Brief Project Description: Mothers were provided with an early literacy information packet. Libraries developed or enhanced children's programming, areas and collections to make them more "baby-friendly."

Needs Addressed: St. Lawrence County has one of the highest illiteracy rates in the state. 25.4% of children in the county live below the poverty level. 27% of adults over 25 in the county lack a high school diploma.

Target Audience: New mothers and their babies living in St. Lawrence County.

Community Partners and their Roles:

  • Health care agencies (hospitals, children's clinics, etc): Distributed packets and publicized library programs.
  • Even Start, Head Start, Literacy Volunteers, Cornell Cooperative extension: distributed packets to clients with babies or grandchildren.

Specific Activities:

  • 41 librarians attended a workshop on infant literacy.
  • Baby-friendly environments were created in 5 libraries.
  • Books and materials appropriate for infants and toddlers were added to library collections.
  • Gift bags were distributed to new parents featuring pamphlets on early literacy, library information and freebies.
  • Libraries offered a series of lapsit programs

Staffing:

  • Library staff: 136 hours
  • Project staff: 650 + hours
  • Volunteers: 123 hours
  • Other Agencies: 57 hours

Costs:

  • Purchased Services: $803.00 for workshop presenter
  • Supplies and Materials: $39, 240.00 for board books, baby bags and parenting, baby and toddler materials,
  • Travel Expenses: $657.00

Evaluation:

  • Quantitative:
    • 1,100 bags were distributed over the course of the grant year. 1,677 materials circulated. 987 users were served.
  • Qualitative:
    • The bags were very successful in encouraging moms to read to their kids. The agencies involved were so pleased to get the baby packets they want to publicize all the library's children's programs on a regular basis.

Changes/Recommendations: Training seminars should have a lot of hands on components

Categories of Service:

  1. Service to newborns and toddlers.
  2. Family programs.
  3. Service to low income families.

Olean Public Library

Kathleen M. Price
716-372-0200

Books Alive

$15,426.00
2002-03

Brief Project Description: The Library developed and presented a literature-based family reading program to encourage leisure reading.

Needs Addressed: Forty percent of fourth graders in the Olean school district either need extra help to meet NYS reading criteria or have serious academic difficulties.

Target Audience: Children in grades 3,4 and 5 and their families.

Community Partners and their Roles:

  • Ivers J. Norton Elementary School - participated in program planning and book selection, scheduled programs, provided facilities, provided follow up activities.
  • Literacy Volunteers of America CC - Participated in planning, scheduled programs to facilitate participation of Reading for Life families, provided adult literacy information and services.

Specific Activities:

  • Developed six types of motivational family reading programs.
  • Programs introduced families to age-appropriate children's literature.
  • Motivational activities were presented at the programs to interest children in reading for pleasure.

Staffing:

  • Library Staff-136 hours
  • Project Staff-480 + hours
  • Volunteers-123 hours
  • Other Agencies- 57 hours

Costs:

  • Salary costs-4,886 for library aide
  • Purchased Services-$2,400.00 for adult literacy project coordinator and program guests
  • Supplies and Materials-$8,160.00 for library books, program supplies and publications and materials.
  • Travel Expenses-$657.00

Evaluation:

  • Quantitative
    • Six programs with different themes were developed. Attendance was kept at programs.
  • Qualitative
    • Teachers observed increased interest in each type of literature as each program was presented. Children were observed reading for pleasure.

Changes/Recommendations: Get more curriculum input during planning phase so tie-ins would be more obvious. Only do one grade level at a time. Promote program to entire faculty and allow teachers choose which units to do and when.

Categories of Service:

  1. Service to school-aged children
  2. Literacy Programs

Queens Borough Public Library

Rosanne Cerny
(718) 990-0716

Tots Learn Lots

$20,360.00
2002-03

Brief Project Description: Children were introduced to basic science and arithmetic concepts through stories, rhymes and songs. Parents were offered workshops and given support material.

Needs Addressed: To expand the concept of emergent literacy development beyond print literacy. To encourage children to learn basic science and math concepts as pre-schoolers.

Target Audience: Toddlers and pre-school children.

Community Partners and Their Roles.

  • New York Hall of Science - provided planning input and a workshop for kids.
  • Pediatric personnel at local hospitals and school staff -attended planning meetings.

Specific Activities:

  • Two in-service trainings were held, focusing on instructing basic math and science concepts.
  • Librarians incorporated math and science concepts into their "Toddler Time" activities.

Staffing:

  • Library Staff- the planning committee met face-to-face for eight hours.

Costs:

  • Purchased Services-$6,200 for program presenters and printing brochures
  • Supplies and Materials-$14,160 for library books, puppets and other supplies

Evaluation:

  • Quantitative:
    • 1,004 users served, 63 participating sites, 49 workshops/programs.
  • Qualitative:
    • 40 of the 44 staff reported that "The children seemed to enjoy the math and science programs." 42 of 44 staff said "I will continue to integrate math and science themes into my toddler programs."

Changes/Recommendations: Make sure that the staff from partner agencies are able to train together.

Categories of Service:

  1. Service to pre-school children
  2. Literacy programs.

Schenectady County Public Library

Serena Butch
(518) 388-4513

G.A.R.D.N.

$8,550
2002-03 (Year one of a two-year project)

Brief Project Description: Four "Seasons of Science" programs were offered for parents, grandparents and children. Even Start Family Centers will be followed up with school programming and GARDN backpacks were made available through the library.

Needs Addressed: Test results show that students in the Schenectady City School District are challenged with regards to science proficiency. Additional opportunities to gain science competency are clearly needed.

Target Audience: Children in grades 4-5 and one parent or guardian.

Community Partners and their roles:

  • Schenectady City School District - Participated in planning activities, scheduled activities held at schools.
  • Community Gardens - planned the content of the public program to educate the target audience about the concept of community garden space.

Specific Activities:

  • Four Seasons of Science programs were held
  • Three follow up programs were held at target schools
  • Circulating kits were prepared
  • A talk was given by Community Gardens of the Capital District

Staff:

  • Science Educator - 40 hours
  • Library staff - 100+ hours

Cost:

  • Purchased services - $3,525 for graphic design, project director and information session by Capital District Community Center
  • Supplies and Materials - $5, 025 for backpacks, backpack contents, library books, magazines, audio, visual, software, puzzles and toys

Evaluation:

  • Quantitative:
    • 8 workshops were held with 159 participants. 16 kits and 18 other items were circulated. 3,000 flyers were distributed
  • Qualitative:
    • Attendance increased due to word of mouth publicity. Families commented after each program on how much they had enjoyed it.

Changes/Recommendations: Order materials earlier. Attendance by some of the targeted population was low despite sending out fliers. Be aware of potential issues with transportation availability.

Categories of Service:

  1. Service to school aged children.
  2. Family programs.
  3. Service to underachieving school children

Swan Library (Albion)

Susan Rudnicky
(585) 589-4246

Las Familian En La Biblioteca

2002-03
$18,181

Brief Project Description: Library and community organization staff were trained in cultural sensitivity and in how to provide targeted services and programs for Latino families. Collections were enhanced with bi-lingual software for the GED, Adult Basic Education and English for Speakers of Other Languages. Cultural events and preparation for success in school were the focus of family programs.

Needs Addressed: According to the 2000 census there were 1,719 Hispanic residents in Orleans county, not including migrant workers. This population is underserved.

Target Audience: The Hispanic families in Orleans County, both migrant and permanent residents.

Community Partners and their Roles:

  • Various Libraries-helped plan activities, hosted programs, selected library materials, etc.
  • Even Start-helped plan Grant activities, selected materials, distributed publicity materials, participated in staff and participant training.
  • Orleans Agri-Business Child Development Migrant Head Start-translated and distributed promotional materials, provided Spanish language story tellers.
  • Various Community Organizations-provided demographic information.

Specific Activities:

  • A staff member conducted a monthly story-time at local preschools.
  • Bi-lingual story times were held at the library.
  • Activities were held to celebrate Day of the Dead and Cinco De Mayo.
  • Library card signups were translated into Spanish.
  • In-Service training in bi-lingual collection development was held for library staff.

Staffing:

  • Library staff - 300 hours
  • OABCD Head Start - 5 hours
  • Albion Even Start - 10 hours

Costs:

  • Purchased Services - $1,000 for artist and storyteller programs
  • Supplies and Materials - $10,933 for bilingual books and software, printing and advertising.
  • Equipment - $6, 188 for computers

Evaluation:

  • Quantitative:
    • 45,000 users were served. 18 programs were held. There were 261 program participants. 257 materials were circulated.
  • Qualitative:
    • Day of the Dead programs were wonderful and well attended. Children asked if they would be held again next year. The participating artists were pleased with the events

Changes/Recommendations: Allot more funding for administrative help.

Categories of Service:

  1. Service to families where English is a second language

Warner Public Library (Tarrytown)

Patricia Cohen
(914) 631 2324

Families Reading Together

$19, 440
2002-03

Brief Project Description: Parenting classes in Spanish and English, parent and child story hours and a reading teacher in the public Library were available in Tarrytown. In addition to fostering library use, the project will focus on improving reading skills among elementary school students.

Needs Addressed: Tarrytown has a large percentage of immigrants from the Caribbean and Latin America. Many of these families are illiterate in Spanish as well as in English, and face economic challenges, which include having to work long hours.

Target Audience: Elementary school students in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, particularly low-income students, immigrants and those with low-literacy families.

Community Partners and their Roles:

  • The Elizabeth Mascia Child Care Center: The director was consulted about the types of materials that were purchased for the center
  • Even Start Family Literacy program: The staff worked with the library to select materials for their program, planned library visits and planned and conducted parenting programs.
  • Local Community Centers: Helped in planning process and material development.

Specific Activities:

  • A reading teacher was available in the library four hours a week to work with students on their reading skills.
  • Family Book Clubs were held with stories, songs and rhymes in Spanish and English.
  • Parenting workshops were held.
  • Books and audiovisual materials were selected and distributed to participating agencies.

Staffing:

  • Library staff: 15 hours/week
  • Partner Agency Staff: 40 hours total
  • Foundation of Public schools in Tarrytown: 40 hours total

Costs:

  • Purchased Services: $ 6,054 for reading teacher, bilingual staff, parenting workshops facilitator, kick-off author and translator.
  • Supplies and Materials: $ 11,393 for bilingual books, tapes, parenting material, cassette players and publicity materials.

Evaluation:

  • Quantitative
    • 17 workshops held. 290 program participants. 494 materials circulated. 267 materials distributed.
  • Qualitative
    • Closer relationships were formed with the participating agencies. Spanish language parenting materials have been particularly popular. Many children came regularly to the teacher in the library and, according to their parents, looked forward to meeting with her.

Changes/Recommendations: Reduce the scope of the project. It was perhaps too ambitious for one year.

Categories of Service:

  1. Service to families where English is a second language
  2. Parent Education
  3. Literacy Programs
  4. Service to low-income families
  5. Service to school age children
  6. Service to struggling readers

White Plains Public Library

Rosemary Rasmussen
(914) 422-1462

Cyber Families

2002-03
$5, 295

Brief Project Description: A bilingual librarian demonstrated basic computer skills for parents. Electronic toys and games taught use of the mouse and reading software helped with pre-reading skills.

Needs Addressed: Some of the families utilizing Head Start literacy classes at the library were observed to be reluctant to allow their children to use the library's computers. These same parents didn't use the library's adult CyberSpot computers or the online catalogue. It was evident that the parents would benefit from the computer instruction for their own skills and for their children's education.

Target Audience: Families attending the Head Start literacy classes. These families are new Hispanic immigrants with low level English skills and low literacy.

Community Partners and their Roles:

  • CDI Head Start: Worked with library's manager of children's services to plan to project and write the grant.
  • Literacy Volunteers of Westchester: contracted to provide childcare and computer training.

Specific Activities:

  • Parents received training on library computers while their children were cared for and received enrichment activities. The basics of computer operation, word processing and internet use were taught.
  • Software was purchased for the Head Start classrooms.
  • Tours of the library , registration for library cards and seasonal story-times were held.

Staffing:

  • Library Staff-165 hours
  • Head Start Staff-40 hours
  • Literacy Volunteers Staff-81 hours

Costs:

  • Supplies and materials-$4,079.65 for books, software, batteries and toys
  • Purchased Services-$1,215.00 for childcare

Evaluation:

  • Quantitative
    • 45% of parents attended program on a weekly basis. 100% of parents learned to use a mouse, 85% learned to access the internet, 90% learned to use computer techniques to access books in the library, 50% learned basic word processing skills. 50% of parents used library computers on a regular basis. 95% of families utilized library resources.
  • Qualitative
    • Most participants indicated that they would certainly apply what they had learned in their own lives. Camaraderie was strong between participants who shared information amongst themselves. Technical problems and the duration of the workshop discouraged some participants.

Changes/Recommendations: Shorter workshops might have catered better to participant's needs. Divide learners into knowledge or ability groups. Provide materials to participants at the beginning so that they derive maximum benefit.

Categories of Service:

  1. Technology projects
  2. Service to families where English is a second language.
  3. Parent Education
  4. Family Programs.
Last Updated: May 13, 2009