Grant Project Reports - 2003-2004
Allegany Public Library
Diane Winger
716-373-1056
The First Seven Years
$7,033
2003-05
Brief Project Description:
A special collection of literacy-based materials was created and rotates between the Allegany Public Library and the Even Start Preschool.
Needs Addressed:
The grant provided much-needed literacy resources to families unable to provide them for their children.
Target Audience:
Low-income families with children age birth to seven years.
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES Even Start-held parenting/story hour workshops at the library for Even Start families and the public, provided library cards to the target group, helped select and display collection materials.
Specific Activities:
- Library tours were given to the target group
- Parenting workshops were held at the library
- The use of materials was demonstrated to the families
Staffing:
- Library director-290 hours
- Library assistant-312 hours
- Family Educator-234 hours
- Teacher Aides-91 hours
- Project Coordinator-40 hours
Costs:
- Supplies and Materials-$7,033 for children's books, parenting information, educational software, puzzles, magazines
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 26 workshops, 54 participants, 246 materials circulated, 17 new library cards issued.
- Qualitative
- Summer workshops were attended with great enthusiasm. Families enjoyed learning how to use the library.
Changes/Recommendations:
- Increase attendance by adding enticements and attendance rewards.
- Add materials for younger children.
Categories of Service:
- Literacy Programs
- Parent Education
- Service to low-income families
- Service to pre-school children
Belmont Literary & Historical Society Free Library
Renee Brown
585-268-5308
Story Teller Audio Read-aloud (STAR)
$14,585
2003-04
Brief Project Description:
STAR provided storytelling programs and parenting workshops for families in the Genesee Valley Central School district.
Needs Addressed:
Almost 24% of Allegany County's children live in poverty.
Target Audience:
Children birth through age three and their parents and caregivers.
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- Genesee Valley Central School- Publicity, provided space, scheduled storytellers, recruited work study students.
- Head Start/WIC-Publicity, referred clients to library and demonstrations, provided volunteers for story time.
- Literacy Volunteers of America- Publicity, assisted with planning & presentation of family programs.
- Southern Tier Library System-Publicity, Processing of grant materials.
Specific Activities:
- Storytellers provided programs at a variety of locations.
- Free Book giveaways.
- Parent Workshops.
Staffing:
- Library Staff and Work Study Students-40 hours per week.
Costs:
- Support Staff-$2,001 for storytellers
- Purchased Services-$500 for professional storytellers
- Supplies and Materials-$11,904 for books, craft supplies, and games
- Travel-$180
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 49 Programs with 1415 attendees, 300 free books distributed, 4,419 circulations of grant materials.
- Qualitative
- 97% smiley reviews from children.
- Excellent ratings overall.
Changes/Recommendations:
Work Study student schedules did not fit with the library, find other volunteers. Hire a project coordinator with a flexible schedule.
Categories of Service:
- Family programs
- Service to newborns and toddlers
- Service to pre-school children
Brooklyn Public Library
Sheila Connelly Schofer
718-649-0388
Choices for Your Future: A Workshop Series for Young Adults
$36,280
2003-05
Brief Project Description:
This was the planning year for a two year project to provide a series of workshops for young adults focusing on life choices.
Needs Addressed:
High unemployment and limited job prospects, high costs of education, poverty.
Target Audience:
Young adults and their parents and caregivers from a variety of community organizations.
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- Project Reach Youth -- Material selection, helped formulate focus group questions, recruited focus group participants, provided space for focus groups.
- Good Shepherd Teen Services -- Material selection, helped formulate focus group questions, recruited focus group participants, provided space for focus groups.
- City of New York Administration for Children's Services/Teen Age Services Act Program Project Reach Youth -- Material selection, helped formulate focus group questions, recruited focus group participants, provided space for focus groups.
- Brooklyn Children's Museum -- Material selection, helped formulate focus group questions, recruited focus group participants, provided space for focus groups.
Specific Activities:
- 11 Meetings of the Action Team
- Conducted three separate focus groups to plan the career workshops
Staffing:
- Library Staff-31.2 Hours per week
Costs:
- Purchased Services-$11,900 for focus group facilitator, evaluation consultant, printing, stipend for focus group participants
- Supplies and Materials-$24,380 for book and incentives
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 11 meetings with project planners
- 3 focus group meetings
- 45 focus group participants
- Qualitative
- Created successful collaboration with public agencies and community-based service providers.
- Defined the content and structure of a series of workshops with input from partners and focus group participants.
Changes/Recommendations:
Parent turnout for focus groups was low. Avoid scheduling sessions in the winter months, and offer on-site childcare. Schedule focus group meetings in more convenient locations.
Categories of Service:
- Service to Young Adults
- Service to low income families
The Field Library
Sara Anne Bentley
914-737-0521
Parents as Learning Partners
$8,380
2003-04
Brief Project Description:
Families with 1st and 2nd graders attended literacy workshops based on the New York State English Language Arts Learning Standards. Parents and children participated in effective learning technique activities, assisted by two senior citizen volunteers.
Needs Addressed:
The project encouraged parents of marginally at risk students to become involved in their children's education.
Target Audience:
First and Second graders at Oakside Elementary School and their parents or guardians.
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- Oakside Elementary School -- Selected students to participate in program.
Specific Activities:
- Literacy Workshops
- Field trip to the New York Botanical Garden and Bronx Zoo
- Reunion program
Staffing:
- Library Staff-62 Hours
- Volunteers-32 Hours
Costs:
- Salaries for Support Staff-$2,100 for bilingual teaching assistants and babysitters
- Purchased Services-$3,467 for teachers
- Supplies and Materials-$2813 for Books and other supplies.
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 4 workshops
- 210 users served
- 250 giveaway books
- Qualitative
- Workshops were well attended
Changes/Recommendations:
A workshop will be offered by the school principal to increase parent involvement.
Categories of Service:
- Family Programs
- Literacy Programs
- Service to underachieving school children
Geneva Free Library
Hope Galens
315-789-5303
Wee Read Together
$17,584
2003-04
Brief Project Description:
An early intervention program to expose young children from diverse backgrounds to the benefits of reading and to their community library.
Needs Addressed:
The grant stimulated an interest in books and reading among low-income children and their families.
Target Audience:
Low-income families with pre-school children as well as daycare staff.
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- Geneva General Hospital Childcare Center-Planned implemented and evaluated programs.
- Geneva Lakefront Childcare Center-Planned implemented and evaluated programs.
- Geneva Child Development Center-Planned implemented and evaluated programs.
- Happiness House-Planned, implemented and evaluated programs.
Specific Activities:
- Storytimes at the library and partner agencies
- Special family programs
- Bilingual family programs
- In-service presentations for partner staff
Staffing:
- Library Staff -- 2.4 hours per week
- Project Staff -- 16-18 hours per week
- Cooperating agency staff -- 2-5 hours per week
Costs:
- Professional salaries -- $11,228 for project coordinator
- Purchased Services -- $1,042 for presenters, printing and copying
- Supplies and Materials -- $4,318 for books, craft supplies, and miscellaneous supplies
- Employee Benefits -- $995
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 30 storytimes
- 5 special family programs
- 2 bilingual family programs
- 4 in-service presentations
- Qualitative
- Storytimes were well received or very well received
- 3 in-service programs were well received
- 1 in-service program was not well received
Changes/Recommendations:
Use in-house staff development time for workshops for staff; few if any will attend in-service on the weekend or in the evenings. Transportation for partners will be investigated.
Categories of Service:
- Family Programs
- Literacy Programs
- Service to families where English is a second language
- Service to low-income families
- Service to pre-school children
Greater Poughkeepsie Public Library District
Barbara Haymann-Diaz
845-485-3445 ex. 3315
Familias Y La Biblioteca
$20,680
2003-04
Brief Project Description:
The program provided the participants with a literacy-based learning experience in a warm and culturally sensitive environment.
Needs Addressed:
The grant introduced Hispanic immigrants to library and other services available in the community.
Target Audience:
Spanish-speaking immigrant families with elementary-aged and younger children.
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- City of Poughkeepsie School District -- Provided information on literacy needs, developed ways to create culturally sensitive activities, encouraged families to participate.
- Even Start -- Provided information on literacy needs, developed ways to create culturally sensitive activities, encouraged families to participate.
- Dutchess County Department of Health -- Provided information on literacy needs, developed ways to create culturally sensitive activities, encouraged families to participate.
- Programs for Children with Special Needs -- Provided information on literacy needs, developed ways to create culturally sensitive activities, encouraged families to participate.
- Mid-Hudson Migrant Education Outreach Program -- Provided information on literacy needs, developed ways to create culturally sensitive activities, encouraged families to participate.
- Community Police and Fire Departments -- Held programs at the library
Specific Activities:
- Literacy programs
- Computer Classes conducted in Spanish
- Parent/Child Workshop
- Bonding With Baby Program
- Hear and Say Program
- Spanish language classes for Children's Services Staff
Staffing:
- Project Coordinator -- 200 Hours
- Children's Librarian -- 30 Hours
- Librarian Trainee -- 12 Hours
- Maintenance Staff -- 24 Hours
- Public Information Officers -- 6 Hours
- Technical Services Department -- 12 Hours
- Project Assistant -- 106 Hours
- Translators -- 85 Hours
Costs:
- Professional Staff -- $2,000 for Project Assistants
- Purchased Services -- $8,680 for translators and Spanish language instructor
- Supplies and Materials -- $10,000 for books
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 71 families attended
- 24 Literacy Program Classes
- 311 total attendance
- 16 Spanish language classes for Library staff
- 160 attended Spanish language classes
- Qualitative
- Participants improved English speaking skills
- Improvement in the parents' ability to understand their children's school activities
- Increased knowledge of English language books
- Increased knowledge of songs, games, and nursery rhymes
- Increased parent knowledge of library resources and how to access them
- Staff improved Spanish language skills
- Staff increased interaction with Hispanic patrons
Changes/Recommendations:
Additional efforts could be made to encourage fathers to attend more programs. Spanish language classes could be more focused on library specific vocabulary and terms.
Categories of Service:
- Family Programs
- Literacy Programs
- Parent Education
- Services to Families Where English is a second language
- Services to Preschool Children
The Guilderland Public Library
Karen Balsen
518-456-2400 x. 11
Reading Connections @ the Guilderland Public Library: Linking Parents and Teens
$11,312
2003-04
Brief Project Description:
The project created a book discussion group for parents and teens using books dealing with contemporary themes of interest to teens.
Needs Addressed:
The project was designed to foster healthy communication between parents and their teenage children.
Target Audience:
Eighth grade teens and their parents
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- Farnsworth Middle School Library-recruit students, host discussions, provide support from the counselor
Specific Activities:
- Separate book discussions for parents and teens
- Joint book discussions
- Author visit from Vivian Vande Velde
- Visits to Farnsworth Middle School to recruit students
Staffing:
- Library Staff -- 25 Hours
- Project Director -- 21 Hours
- 2 School Librarians -- 22.5 Hours each
- Young Adult Librarian -- 4 Hours per week
- Young Adult Author -- 1 Day
- Friends of the Guilderland Public Library -- 30 Hours
- Teen Advisory Committee -- 3 Hours
Costs:
- Professional Salaries -- $3,100 for young adult librarian
- Purchased Services -- $2,618 for school librarians, school counselor, school social worker and young adult author
- Travel expenses -- $1,875 for author visit and project director's workshop
- Supplies and Materials -- $2,926 for books and miscellaneous supplies
- Employee Benefits -- $793
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 7 teen participants
- 8 parent participants
- 65% increase in teen material circulation
- 15% increase in parenting material circulation
- 29% increase in teen attendance at library programs
- 244% increase in teens seeking reference and information help from the Young Adult Librarian
- Qualitative
- Participants found the program to be very valuable
- Participants felt the books were excellent choices
- The author visit was seen as an important feature of the program
- A strong collaboration between public and school library was formed
Changes/Recommendations:
Discussion groups for teens will be held during and activity period to allow more teens to participate; and evening discussion session will be offered to high school students; joint discussion groups between parents and teens will be optional; four books will be chosen rather than three
Categories of Service:
- Literacy Programs
- Service to Young Adults
Hempstead Public Library
Irene Duszkiewicz
516-481-6840
Centro Informacion
$17,262
2003-04
Brief Project Description:
The library provided bilingual storytimes and books, presentations on community resources, and computer training for Hispanic patrons.
Needs Addressed:
The Latino population has greatly increased, while there is a scarcity of Spanish speaking librarians. Latino families underutilize the library and are unaware of the resources available there.
Target Audience:
Spanish-speaking families, both established and newcomers, from the Village of Hempstead.
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- Our Lady of Loretto Roman Catholic Church Outreach Program -- Presented about their programs and services at bilingual story times, disseminated library flyers
- The Hispanic Counseling Center Inc. -- Presented about their programs and services at bilingual story times, disseminated library flyers
- The Hispanic Civic Association -- Presented about their programs and services at bilingual story times, disseminated library flyers
- The Community Health Program -- Presented about their programs and services at bilingual story times, disseminated library flyers
- Nassau County Department of Health -- Presented about their programs and services at bilingual story times, disseminated library flyers
- Adult Learning Center -- Presented about their programs and services at bilingual story times, disseminated library flyers
Specific Activities:
- Bilingual storytimes
- Community presentations
- Computer assistance and training
- Hispanic Heritage Festival
Costs:
- Professional Salaries -- $6,000 for project coordinator
- Support Salaries -- $2,160 for librarian trainee
- Purchased Services -- $4,500 for bilingual story teller and community presenters
- Supplies and Materials -- $4,316 for bilingual books
- Employee Benefits -- $551
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 21 Bilingual storytimes
- 239 storytime attendees
- 5 Information presentations
- 145 dictionaries and 150 books distributed to patrons for free
- 250 books added to the collection
- 5 items translated into Spanish
- 626 users of computer services
- Qualitative
- High level of participation among children during storytime
- Parents and children had positive feedback for storytimes
- Informational brochures and flyers were well received
- Patrons were overwhelmed at receiving the dictionaries and books for free
- New books are circulating well
Changes/Recommendations:
Request more funding for programs and less for translation as the Hispanic community does not have many options or funds for entertainment outside of the home.
Categories of Service:
- Family programs
- Parent Education
- Service to families where English is a second Language
James Prendergast Library
Camille Guinnane
716-484-7135 ex. 234
Telling Stories: Bringing Library Services Into the Community
$15,544
2003-04
Brief Project Description:
The program brought preschool story time to families with identified literacy needs at six different sites around the community.
Needs Addressed:
Many of the residents of Jamestown have significant literacy needs and are lacking financial resources. The families in the program needed modeling of effective reading techniques.
Target Audience:
350 families enrolled in the Jamestown Public Schools PACERS program and 58 families served by Even Start.
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- Jamestown Community Learning Council PACERS -- Helped with planning, provided school sites for story times, recruited volunteers for story time presenters, enrolled families, and helped with evaluation.
- Chautauqua County Even Start -- Helped with planning, recruited volunteers for story time presenters, enrolled families, and helped with evaluation.
- Jamestown Public Schools -- Publicized project and recruited story time volunteers and participants.
- First Covenant Church -- Publicized project and recruited story time volunteers and participants.
- Zion Covenant Church -- Publicized project and recruited story time volunteers and participants.
Specific Activities:
- Story time kits purchased and assembled
- Three six-week story time series at six different sites
- Workshops to train readers for story time sessions
Staffing:
- Project Director -- 10-12 hours per month
- Children's Room Staff -- 10 hours per week
- Project Coordinator -- 20 hours per week
- Volunteers -- 467 hours
- Cooperating Agency Staff -- 610 hours
Costs:
- Professional Salaries -- $7,160 for Project Coordinator
- Supplies and Materials -- $8,240 for story time kit supplies
- Travel Expenses -- $177 for travel to story time sites
- Employee Benefits -- $999
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 41 story time kits produced by volunteers
- Story times presented 95 times
- Total attendance at story times 1142
- 594 materials added to library collection
- 7 new library cards issued
- 598 materials circulated at story times
- Qualitative
- Story times were enjoyed by children, parents, and workers alike
- Attendance in the winter and spring was lower than anticipated due to weather
Changes/Recommendations:
The project would have worked better as a two-year project. That would have allowed for creating and assembling story kits and recruiting and training volunteers in the first year. This took longer than expected.
Categories of Service:
- Literacy Programs
- Parent Education
- Service to low-income families
- Services to pre-school children
The New York Public Library, The Branch Libraries
Margaret Tice
212-340-0903
Children Together: Developing Inclusive Programs for Children & Their Caregivers
$34,999
2003-04
Brief Project Description:
Children's Librarians were trained to make children's programs more inclusive and welcoming to children with special needs and their parents. In addition, the parenting collection was updated to meet the needs of children with special needs and their caregivers.
Needs Addressed:
Improved access for children with special needs and their parents.
Target Audience:
Children with special needs and their caregivers as well as Children's Librarians at the branch libraries.
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- Resources for Children With Special Needs, Inc.- Provided staff training
- Parent Coordinators at District 75 Schools- Arranged focus group workshops
Specific Activities:
- Focus groups
- Inclusive library programs
- Collection development
Staffing:
- Coordinator of Children's Services -- 174 Hours
- Assistant Coordinator of Children's Services -- 50 Hours
- Materials Specialist -- 50 Hours
- CLASP Principal Librarians -- 100 Hours
- CLASP Supervising Librarians -- 200 Hours
- ECRIC Supervising Librarian -- 25 Hours
- Branch Children's Librarians -- 440 Hours
Costs:
- Purchased Services -- $4,500 for staff training
- Supplies and Materials -- $30,499 for books and art materials
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 9 Focus group meetings with 175 parents attending
- Trained 64 librarians
- Conducted 109 inclusive library programs
- 2,520 parenting books purchased
- Qualitative
- Parents appreciated finding out about library resources
- Staff found training helpful and inspiring
- Parents and caregivers found the programs well planned and interesting
- Collaborating with Parent Coordinators was very helpful
Changes/Recommendations:
Focus groups will not be used in the second year, as it was difficult to get parents to attend. Instead, feedback will be solicited from parents who bring their children to programs.
Categories of Service:
- Family Programs
- Librarian Training
- Service to children with special needs
North Tonawanda Public Library
Peggy Waite
716-693-4132
Working the Web: Internet Instruction for Parents & Children
$16,945
2003-04
Brief Project Description:
The project provided Internet instruction for parents and children together.
Needs Addressed:
Previous Internet instruction had been offered to adults only. Patrons requested training for children as well.
Target Audience:
Children in grades 3 and up with at least one parent or caregiver per child.
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- NIOGA Library System -- Provided resources and advice; disseminated results
- YWCA of the Tonawandas -- Helped with planning and evaluation; provided space for classes
- Boys and Girls Club of the Northtowns -- Helped with planning and evaluation; provided space for classes
Specific Activities:
- Workshops at the Boys and Girls club
- Workshops at the library
Staffing:
- Library Coordinator -- 16 Hours per week
- Librarian/Instructor -- 16 Hours per week
- Clerk -- 20 Hours per week
- Page -- 4 Hours per week
Costs:
- Purchased Services -- $300
- Supplies and Materials -- $649
- Equipment -- $16,277
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 13 workshops
- 48 participants
- Qualitative
- 34 positive evaluation forms
- 2 negative evaluation forms
- Creation of partnerships was a wonderful benefit
- Attendance was disappointing
Changes/Recommendations:
More intense and different publicity to attract more participants.
Categories of Service:
- Family Programs
- Science and Technology
Olean Public Library
Kathleen Price
716-372-0200
Investigation Stations
$13,698
2003-04
Brief Project Description:
The project partners created hands-on discovery learning centers featuring interactive programming to develop early literacy competencies for preschool age children. The activities were designed using the Multiple Intelligence theory.
Needs Addressed:
School readiness for low-income children and children in childcare centers.
Target Audience:
Three and Four year olds enrolled at Olean Child Daycare Center and their parents as well as children and parents who visit the Olean Public Library.
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- Olean Child Daycare Center -- Helped with planning, set up Investigation Station at OCDC, provide childcare, help with evaluation
Specific Activities:
- Established a planning committee
- Created Investigation Stations at Olean Public Library and OCDC
- Open house to introduce the Investigation Stations
Staffing:
- Head of children's department -- 4 Hours per week
- Library program aide -- 10 Hours per week
- OCDC staff -- 4 Hours per week
- Volunteers -- 6 Hours per month
Costs:
- Support Staff -- $4,266 for maintaining Investigation Station and coordinating project
- Purchased Services -- $1,976 for workshop presenter and consultant and childcare
- Travel Expenses -- $192 for consultant's travel
- Supplies and Materials -- $7,264 for construction of stations, handouts, books, manipulatives and disposables for the stations
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 342 children participated
- 268 parents participated
- Average of 4 activities per child per use
- 3302 uses of Investigation Stations
- Qualitative
- Increased use of library buy preschoolers and their parents
- Stations are rarely empty
- Questionnaires show above average general satisfaction with the program
Changes/Recommendations:
In the second year of the program Olean Public Library will make new partnerships and create new Investigation Stations. More focus on parent involvement is necessary and activities need to be adapted to a broader age range.
Categories of Service:
- Family Programs
- Service to pre-school children
Oneida Public Library
Carolyn Gerakopoulos
315-683-3533
Sharing the Wealth: A Total Literacy Campaign
$12,800
2003-04
Brief Project Description:
A multiplicity of literacy programs including story times, tutoring, library introductions, education and careers, parent education, aerobics and a family fun fair.
Needs Addressed:
Low literacy, low education level, and high poverty.
Target Audience:
Families living below the federal poverty level
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- Madison County BOCES -- Recruitment, outreach storytime, planning and evaluation
- New York State Department of Labor -- Recruitment, career workshop speakers, planning and evaluation
- Liberty Resources -- Recruitment and speakers
- Oneida City School District -- Recruitments, speakers, planning and evaluation
- Madison County Department of Health -- Recruitment, speakers, planning and evaluation
- Madison County WIC -- Recruitment, forum for presenting grant to other agencies
- Community Action -- Recruitment
- Tri Valley YMCA -- Recruitment, co-hosted "Healthy Kids Day"
- Head Start -- Recruitment
- Department of Recreation Youth Services -- Recruitment
Specific Activities:
- PRIME TIME family reading
- Pre-School Story Time
- Little Lapsitters
- After School Tutoring
- Finding a Career workshop series
- Parent as Educator series
- Introduction to the Library
- Health programs
- Fitness programs
- Celebration
Staffing:
- Project Director -- 40 hours per week
- Cooperating agencies -- 10 Hours
Costs:
- Professional Staff -- $6,000 for project coordinator
- Support Staff -- $3,000 for secretary and childcare
- Purchased Services -- $525 for aerobics instructor
- Supplies and Materials -- $2,822 for books and miscellaneous supplies
- Travel Expenses -- $267
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 259 workshops
- 1451 participants
- 3185 materials distributed
- Qualitative
- Positive responses on surveys
Changes/Recommendations:
Serve food more often, include more children's programming, include more drama, music, and creative writing, provide more study skills programs.
Categories of Service:
- Family Programs
- Literacy Programs
- Parent Education
- Service to low-income families
Ossining Public Library
Sally Dow
914-941-2416
First Steps in the Library
$5,000
2003-04
Brief Project Description:
A 5-7 week program of music and rhythm, with songs and nursery rhymes in Spanish and English held throughout the year.
Needs Addressed:
A significant segment of the Ossining population did not use the library
Target Audience:
Latino families with preschool children
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- First Steps -- Planning and evaluation
Specific Activities:
- Programs with stories and songs in English and Spanish
- Pizza supper with library tours for parents
- Family literacy workshop with video in English and Spanish
Staffing:
- First Steps and Ossining Public Library share planning activities. A good deal of time was spent ordering Spanish materials.
Costs:
- Purchased Services - $2,600 for Spanish speaking facilitators
- Supplies and Materials - $ 2,621 for Spanish materials
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 250 Families served
- 27 Programs held
- Circulation of Spanish materials doubled
- Qualitative
- Latino patrons have an increased comfort and ease in using the library
- Latino families attend Spanish and English programs
- Spanish programs are well attended
Changes/Recommendations:
Expand programs into evening hours so working families can attend. Money should be included in the budget for refreshments.
Categories of Service:
- Family Programs
- Literacy Programs
- Parent Education
- Service to families where English is a second language
Patterson Library
Deborah Williams
716-326-2154
Join the Winner's Circle - READ!
$8,251
2003-04
Brief Project Description:
A yearlong series of programs designed to encourage reading aloud at home.
Needs Addressed:
Low achievement in reading.
Target Audience:
Children enrolled in grades K-2 at the Westfield Academy & Central School and their parents.
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- Westfield Academy & Central School -- Defined need, provided statistics, assisted in planning activities, hosted events, promoted grant programming, shared costs, coordinated family dinners, evaluation
- Westfield YWCA -- Define need, allowed access for outreach library program, promoted grant programming, distributed newsletters, evaluation
- Parent Connection -- Assisted in organization and implementation of program activities, provided ice cream party, promoted grant programming in newsletters, evaluation
Specific Activities:
- Free family dinner and reading concert kick-off event
- Family literacy workshops with free childcare
- Children's Book Week door decorating contest with visit from costumed character Curious George and ice cream party
- Free family dinner and parent speaker program
- Motivational parent-child reading program
- Finale event Great Westfield Read-Aloud and Pizza Feast
- Outreach storytime sessions at the YWCA daycare after-school program
Staffing:
- Project Director -- 200 Hours
- Children's Program Specialist -- 58 Hours
- Technical Staff -- 20 Hours
- School Staff -- 56 Hours
- YWCA Staff -- 16 Hours
- Parent Connection -- 12 Hours
- Volunteers -- 20 Hours
Costs:
- Salaries for Professional Staff -- $551 for Children's Program Specialist
- Purchased Services -- $2445 for Performers
- Supplies and Materials -- $5256 for books and miscellaneous supplies
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 200 new books
- 133 people attended kick-off event
- 15 attended family literacy workshop
- 360 children participated in door decorating
- 38 attended parent speaker nigh
- 50 children and their parents read 1,250 books during motivational reading program
- 52 attended Great Westfield Read-Aloud & Pizza Feast
- 16 Outreach storytime sessions
- 16 parent newsletters
- Qualitative
- Evaluation forms were created for each program
- Programs were very well received and exceeded expectations
Changes/Recommendations:
Family literacy workshops were not well received because parents associated the term with adult illiteracy. A better workshop title would have been "How to Raise a Reader." Bad weather interfered with the parent speaker night.
Categories of Service:
- Parent Education
- Service to underachieving school children
Queens Borough Public Library
Rosanne Cerny
718-297-3404
Fathers as Reading Partners
$30,068
2003-04
Brief Project Description:
This project provided programming specifically targeted towards men. It also provided staff training for children's librarians to help them target fathers and male caregivers and understand their needs and wants.
Needs Addressed:
Boys need fathers or other male caregivers to model reading as an accepted male behavior to help them do better in school, especially with reading.
Target Audience:
Fathers and other male caregivers as well as librarians.
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- Jamaica Hospital Medical Center - Provided books and health care pamphlets for workshop participants
Specific Activities:
- Staff training for children's librarians to target father or male caregivers
- In-service meeting for children's librarians with two speakers
- 5 week evening series at the Rosedale Branch
- Two weekend series at the Flushing Library for fathers in the English as a Second Language Program
- Reading Remedy workshops
- Video teleconferencing program
Staffing:
- 1-2 Hours of preparation for each workshop or story presentation
- 80 Hours for materials selection and ordering
- 32 Hours of clerical time
Costs:
- Purchased Services - $495 for programs for families
- Furniture and Equipment - $7,058 for Video teleconferencing equipment
- Supplies and Materials $22,570 for books, story aids, brochure materials
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 47 Workshops
- 3,119 participants
- 1,649 library materials
- 17,000 brochures
- Qualitative
- Speakers at in-service training received high marks
- Satisfaction with books ordered for branches was high
- Audience responses positive for literacy workshops and other family programs
- Reactions to brochures were positive
Changes/Recommendations:
Encourage more branches to do programs specifically aimed at male audiences. Follow-up survey of librarians to see if their service to men and boys has changed.
Categories of Service:
- Family Programs
- Librarian Training
RCS Community Library
Judith Felsten
518-756-8595
Romp & Read
$21,869
2003-04
Brief Project Description:
Romp & Read extends the library's programming with a traveling librarian and outreach sites to serve families who do not use library services regularly.
Needs Addressed:
The service area of the library includes many low-income families who lack exposure to child-rearing practices that encourage emergent literacy in children.
Target Audience:
Low-income families with young children who underutilize the library.
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- RCS Central School District -- Gathered demographic data, helped with recruiting,
- Bethlehem Grange -- Provided room for programs
- CHOICES Program of Cooperative Extension -- Provided space for a children's literacy activities corner
- Albany County WIC -- Provided space and helped with recruitment
Specific Activities:
- Weekly programs including story time, song, rhyme, movement, and play in three parts of the service area
- Fun Fairs
- Year end celebration
Staffing:
- Project Director -- 8 Hours per week
- Community Assistant -- 12 Hours per week
Costs:
- Professional Staff -- $12,309 for Community Assistant
- Supplies and Materials -- $5,488 for books, project supplies, and promotion
- Travel Expenses -- $730
- Employee Benefits -- $2,072
- Equipment -- $2,682 for computer, software, digital camera and other materials
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 161 programs
- 148 individual participants
- 2 drop-in corners, 114 children participated
- Traveling loan collection circulated 778 items
- 2 family fun fairs with 44 children, 28 adults participated
- Year-end celebration 33 children, 46 adults attended
- Qualitative
- Children are eager to come and reluctant to leave
- The Fun Fairs and Year-End Celebration were particularly successful
Changes/Recommendations:
Try to attract families with children under age three. Use photography in publicity to attract people for whom the written word is not eye-catching. Add a site to attract more low-income families.
Categories of Service:
- Family Programs
- Literacy Programs
- Service to low-income families
- Service to pre-school children
Schenectady County Public Library
Serena Butch
518-386-2241
G.A.R.D.N. Gardeners and Readers Develop Naturally
$5,930
2003-04
Brief Project Description:
Aligned with the New York State Learning Standards for Science and Technology this project will expose parents and children to gardening activities in each of the four seasons.
Needs Addressed:
The students in the Schenectady City School District have a low proficiency rate on the state standards for science. Many of the children are on public assistance and are eligible.
Target Audience:
Children in grade K-5 who attend public school in the Schenectady City School District or are home schooled and their parents or guardians.
Community Partners and Their Roles:
- Schenectady City School District Science Coordinator- Collaborated on program dates, content, materials and handouts, conducted family science nights and seasonal family science programs, evaluation
- Schenectady City School District Teacher Liaisons-Assisted with coordination of family science nights, ordering materials, evaluation
Specific Activities:
- Three family science nights held at the elementary schools
- Four seasonal family science programs at the public library
- Community wide science program at the public library
Staffing:
- Program provider- 30 Hours
- School Staff- 15 Hours
- School Media Specialists- 15 Hours
- Library Project Director- 85 Hours
Costs:
ยท Purchased Services - $2,859 for program providers
- Supplies and Materials - $3,080 for books and office supplies
Evaluation:
- Quantitative
- 150 items purchased
- 74 participants at the 4 Seasons programs
- 100 Participants for each of 3 Family Science Nights
- 30 Participants at Fun with Energy program
- GARDN learning kits circulated 51 times
- Qualitative
- Families enjoyed each program
- New families were attracted by word of mouth
Changes/Recommendations:
Fall or winter may be a better time to hold programs at the schools. Schools had to get funding for meals for the evening program.
Categories of Service:
- Family Programs
- Science and Technology
- Service to Low-income families
- Service to underachieving school children