Washington State Library Services and Technology Act Project Proposals for FY2002

1. Statewide Database Licensing
   
2. Virtual Reference Service (VRS)
   
3. Connecting Libraries and Schools Through Information Literacy
   
4. Coordinated Statewide Library Marketing
   
5. Information Literacy - Year 3
   
6. Early Learning
   
7. Diversity
   
8. Digital Images - Phase 4
   
9. K-12
   
10. Washington Preservation
    
11. Library Information Technology Working Group (LITWG)
    
12. Continuing Education
    

Statewide Database Licensing

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Statewide Database Licensing Project provides a mechanism for licensing electronic resources on behalf of most of the libraries/citizens of the state, thereby providing wide availability and the opportunity for cost savings to all involved. The project began as a federally funded pilot project in 1998.

GOAL

All Washingtonians will have access to a range of electronic database products with which to address their informational and educational needs; and Washington libraries will realize significant cost savings by cooperating together for database licensing.

STATEMENT OF NEED

In this information-based society, our citizens have a continuing and increasing need for a wide variety and quantity of information on virtually every imaginable subject. The electronic transmission of information has proven to be an effective means of purveying up-to-date information rapidly and relatively inexpensively.

As information moves to electronic formats - in some cases with the loss of a print version - libraries need the ability to acquire and provide web-based databases.

On April 6 of this year, Nancy Zussy wrote a memo to the Library Council explaining the need for extending the federal fiscal support for the SDL project so that the SDL committee and staff would have time to collect further data about the project. At that time, Council members were supportive of this plan. In essence, what will happen if this proposal is accepted is this-the federal funds will sustain the program at its current service level through June of 2002.

Though there is hope that legislative funding will be secured by June 2002 (a legislative request for $3.7 million was submitted last month by WSL), the worst-case scenario is that no state funds will be available, and the funding to subsidize databases will run out. If this happens, local funds will have to replace the federal funding that has helped the project run thus far. The final portion of money being requested in this proposal will assist the SDL committee and staff both in completing their marketing and statistical gathering efforts, as well as in preparing the library community for the end of the funding. However, if legislative funding is secured, the final federal funds will assist the project in transitioning from a federally managed project to one that is state-administered.

RELATIONSHIP TO LSTA

This project addresses to one degree or another, all six of the six LSTA priorities by providing shared data in an electronic format, in a consortial environment including an equitable cost sharing formula. Additionally, the project has had as a major goal that of getting these resources into the hands of rural and underserved populations (including the tribal library community) who could otherwise never afford such a product. In some cases, the new contract for ProQuest and the other statewide products has some of the smallest libraries paying less than $40 for their annual subscription.

CLIENTS SERVED

Most, if not all, Washington citizens presently have access to a powerful database of full-text magazines and newspapers, the ProQuest product from Bell and Howell. Additionally, the new state contract has added two new databases to address increasing needs for varied information sources (ABI Trade and Industry for vocational information from Bell and Howell and eLibrary Elementary from bigchalk.com to better address the information needs of the K-6 audience). Access is through a library, and with all but a handful of the smallest libraries participating, plus all the community colleges and many of the K-12 schools. With such a broad group of libraries participating in the project, coverage served represents nearly the whole of the state's population. Not only has the new state contract seen no libraries dropping out, but there has also been an increased interest, particularly from the special library community.

The database licensing project represents an unprecedented mix of library types. For the first time in state history, medical libraries, tribal libraries, and the K-12 library community are partners with the academic, community college, and public libraries. These libraries all share a common database, and as children move through the school grades, use their public libraries, graduate, and attend a community college or four-year school, or move from community colleges to higher education, the value of a common research tool will manifest itself. Few, if any, LSTA projects have had the potential to spread the direct benefit to our entire population. The new state contract ends in June of 2002 putting it on the same cycle as the six state-funded academics' contract with Bell and Howell. The decision to run the contract through this date was deliberately made so that the SDL project can seek to enhance cooperative efforts with the universities in the future.

BENEFITS/IMPACT STATEMENT

The widespread availability of this electronic resource provides an excellent means to equalize educational opportunity and information literacy, regardless of the wealth of a family or a community. And at a cost of roughly one million dollars for a state with a population of roughly five million people, the $.20 per capita cost is far below the price any single library acting on it own would ever receive.

There is another set of benefits that are not based on economics. The fact that so many libraries, of all different types, are using a product and are demanding excellent service from the vendor gives the entire group of libraries a significant amount of leverage. Bell and Howell has changed both their products and their business model as Washington libraries have asked for such changes. This demonstrates that working collectively, with a group of nearly 3,000 libraries, has merit beyond just the dollars saved.

BUDGET

Virtual Reference Service (VRS)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

$373,557 in LSTA funds is requested for project activities focused toward development of best practices, methods and standards for creating virtual reference services in libraries in Washington State. The Virtual Reference Initiative Project will provide a mechanism for testing best practices in developing at least two varieties of electronic reference services, including on-line, interactive, chat and email reference. The initiative is proposed on behalf of most of the libraries/citizens of the state, thereby providing a demonstration of best practices to support wide availability of electronic reference and the opportunity for cost savings to all involved. The project is proposed as a continuation of a federally funded pilot project in 2002 - 2003.

GOALS

• All Washingtonians will have access to a range of electronic reference services with which to address their informational and educational needs;
  
• Washington libraries will realize significant cost savings by cooperating together for Virtual Reference Service (VRS) development and testing of best practices;
  
• Washington library staff will develop a leadership model to support virtual reference;
  
• Washington libraries will extend service hours to all Washington residents;
  
• Best practices in virtual reference service will be developed.
  

STATEMENT OF NEED

In this information-based society, our citizens have a continuing and increasing need for a wide variety and quantity of information on virtually every imaginable subject. The electronic transmission of information has proven to be an effective means of purveying up-to-date information rapidly and relatively inexpensively. As information moves to electronic formats - in some cases with the loss of a print version - libraries need the ability to acquire and provide virtual reference services of all types. Essential to the development of electronic databases such as those offered through the SDL project, is the ability to provide email and on-line, interaction with the users of such services. The intercession of the librarian remains a vital component to providing access to electronically delivered information. In addition, virtual reference service will enable libraries to better serve those who have limited physical access to libraries, as well as those who are unable to visit libraries during normal operating hours.

There is a pressing need in this area, and most libraries are struggling with where to find the funding for the software and for the staffing to develop these services. Leadership in this area is essential in order for libraries to avoid costly trial and error, and duplicative efforts in training and marketing.

RELATIONSHIP TO LSTA

This initiative addresses the following LSTA priorities:

1. Establishing and enhancing electronic linkages among or between libraries by fostering use of common practices, standards and common software solutions. Libraries of all types may use common virtual reference practices and standards, and may use common software.
   
2. Assisting libraries in accessing information through electronic networks. Service hours at all libraries can be extended with consortia agreements to provide reference services electronically and common software access. Membership in such consortia would greatly extend the abilities of smaller, rural library users to access electronic services.
   
3. Encouraging libraries in different areas and encouraging different types of libraries to establish consortia and share resources. A successful outcome to this proposal would be the establishment of a Virtual Reference consortium of all types of libraries to support, sharing of expertise, experiences and practical solutions. Establishment and publication of best practices and methods would allow libraries to share their experience and make recommendations that would provide guidance to libraries embarking on this service.
   
4. Paying costs for libraries to acquire or share computer systems and telecommunications technologies. The VRS will support the costs of testing and sharing information regarding a group of VRS software applications and methods. At least ten pilot test sites will share software and receive small grants to conduct a test of methods to determine best practices and standards.
   

CLIENTS SERVED

Residents of Washington State and users of the World Wide Web will be served by these activities. In addition, libraries and library staff will benefit from focused access to best practices, methods and published experiences of Virtual Reference Services. Using the K-20 network, students and teachers will be able to access library services and essential communication with library staff via web sites and common search sites. A special effort will be made to notify and invite the participation of community college libraries and academic libraries with special expertise to offer.

BENEFITS/IMPACT STATEMENT

The VRS Advisory Committee will develop actual performance measures and specific activities of the initiative.

Included in the benefits of this proposal are:

1. Extending hours of service, sharing the hours of staffing
   
2. Training program/standards
   
3. Marketing of services that impact all Washington residents
   
4. Pilot testing of software and service delivery models
   
5. Establishment of a communication structure and leadership model

What does collaborative virtual reference have to offer?

1. Service to those with limited physical access to their local libraries
   
2. Service to those who find it difficult to visit the library during normal operating hours
   
3. A common entry point
   
4. Quality web sites
   
5. Accessibility for all residents
   
6. Value added service
   

When embarking upon a new service model that requires the purchase and adoption of new technology and software applications, libraries have learned from long experience that pilot testing of products and establishment of best practices results in cost savings for the library community. By providing leadership and by conducting pilot tests of methods and software the Virtual Reference Initiative project will create a cost/benefit model for libraries to model their services from.

There is another set of benefits that are not based on economics. The fact that so many libraries, of all different types, have the need and desire to develop email reference and other forms of electronic reference services indicates that the Washington library community is ready to collaborate toward this end. Library patrons are demanding excellent service from their library reference departments. That service is increasingly being delivered electronically. Library users are expecting libraries and reference staff to change their business model to accommodate remote access to both electronic products and to librarian expertise.

ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

WSL staff and members of the VRS steering committee will track use of the LSTA funds through monthly budget accounting. A survey of interest and training needs will be conducted. The steering committee will hold and conduct at least six meetings during the course of the project. Results of the pilot testing will be published and disseminated through the VRS web site and the conclusions of the pilot testing of best practices and methods will be published to the web site and utilized in the training sessions.

The ultimate measure of success could be the willingness of the library community to create and support a consortia model of statewide VRS through collaborative staffing and cooperative funding. It remains to be seen if the Washington library community can continue to work together to cooperate on 24/7 reference services delivered electronically to all Washington residents.

BUDGET

TOTAL: $373,557

SCOPE OF WORK

1. The proposal will provide grant support to a small group of libraries (at least five) to research and test methods to establish best practices and standards in virtual reference service.

   Among the methods and practices to be tested by the pilot sites are:
   

   • Extending hours of service, sharing the hours of staffing the consortia VRS
     
   • Backup call center, either distributed or one center
     
   • Costs of testing and sharing information regarding a group of VRS software applications. At least ten pilot test sites will share software and receive small grants to conduct a test of methods to determine best practices and standards
     
   • Creative practices that will elicit useful information about conducting a virtual reference service
   
   
2. Also envisioned are evaluations of the use of online vs. print reference sources and corresponding reference performance.
   
   • The pilot sites will perform an assessment of use of the two types of sources to test how they support VRS.
   
   
3. The proposal will create the leadership necessary to explore the establishment of a consortium for virtual reference service among Washington libraries. A full consortium model is considered as a long-term possibility. The proposal will explore collaboration between public, academic, special and K-12 libraries to create a statewide VRS. The proposal intends to take advantage of K-20 network access to support electronic reference.
   • Developing and conducting a least one VRS training program
     
   • Developing and conducting a least one VRS program to present best practices and recommended standards
     
   • Developing marketing strategies for VRS that are designed to reach on-line audiences
   
   
4. The proposal will establish a steering committee to advise and guide the project coordinator. The committee will also:
   
   • Communicate with participating libraries in Washington so they understand the nature of the pilot testing process and to learn their wishes for future development of training and support.
     
   • Determine whether there is an ongoing need for cooperative licensing of VRS software and application support, and if so, determine how to cooperatively fund this administrative cost.
     
   • Coordinate with the UW School of Information for on training in VRS methods.
     
   • Evaluate the results of the pilot test of methods and practices to recommend and published best practices and standards.
     
   • Help local libraries to publicize their VRS services to their citizens
     
   • Create a VRS web site to promote and publish the best practices and standards that are developed.
   
   
5. Information about the project will be disseminated at conferences such as WLA and WLMA, and articles about the project may be submitted to professional journals.
   

SUSTAINABILITY

The Washington State Library has committed to taking a leadership role to bring together interested members of the library community to develop the VRS initiative. Washington libraries that receive VRS grant funding using LSTA funds will be asked to sustain their test sites throughout the project timeframe. Each grant funded library must also address the sustainability of their VRS project as a condition of the grant award. Beyond the timeframe of the initiative, the responsibility to maintain access to electronic reference services rests with individual organizations.

RISK

The VRS steering committee will continue to be interested in and will support the efforts of libraries to develop VR services for their patrons. VRS activities will include continued promotion of electronic service delivery by libraries. This is a positive outcome for the use of LSTA funds. However, active promotion of VRS services, active training and promoting the availability of such services will generate interest among the library community for further VRS grant cycles. The VRS steering committee will assess the need for a VRS grant cycle for the FFY 2003.

TIMELINE

The federal funds requested for FY2002 will be used to conduct the initiative and accomplish the tasks outlined in the statement of work. Key among these tasks will be the establishment of at least five pilot project test sites to examine best practices and methods for VRS development in libraries. All tasks will be accomplished between January 2002 and September 2003.

PROJECT EVALUATION

The VRS steering committee will conduct a VRS interest survey in the winter of 2002, and the results will be published. They will contract for an evaluation in the third year of the project to assess the impact of the best practices grant cycle, training and promotional efforts.

SPONSOR GROUP

Attending the initial organizational meeting were representatives from Sno-Isle, King County, Pierce County, Seattle Public, Timberland, WSL, and UW-Tacoma. The community colleges expressed interest, as did UW. A number of other libraries have asked that they be included in any future meetings. Interested individuals include: Liz Stroup and Gwen Culp, Timberland Regional Library; Jonathan Betz-Zall, City University; John Backes, Shoreline Community College; Terry Beck, Sno-Isle Regional Library; Marie Zimmermann, Highline Community College; John Popko, Seattle University; Charles Lord, UW-Tacoma; Bill Christianson, Pierce County Library; Nancy Huling, UW Libraries; Craig Kyte, Seattle Public; Barbara Pitney, King County Library System; and Jan Walsh, Nancy Zussy, Marlys Rudeen of the Washington State Library.

A request for volunteers for the steering committee has elicited over twenty responses in less than two weeks, with all types of libraries represented.

Contacts:
Jan Walsh
Washington State Library
PO Box 42460, Olympia, WA 98504-2460
360.704.5253; [email protected]

Nancy Zussy
Washington State Library
PO Box 42460, Olympia, WA 98504-2460
360.753.2915; [email protected]

Connecting Libraries and Schools through Information Literacy

DESCRIPTION

As Washington students face the challenge of increased state academic requirements, they all need to become proficient in using thinking skills necessary to access, identify, evaluate and utilize information. Successful research challenges students to simultaneously access varying formats, navigate complex search tools, and, with limited analytic experience, evaluate resources. Schools and public libraries can work together to increase students' information literacy-the ability to locate, evaluate and use information to become an independent life-long learner-and, in turn, contribute to students' ability to meet the Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs).

It is proposed by the Seattle Public Library, King County Library System, Sno-Isle Regional Library System, Spokane Public Library, Seattle School District and the University of Washington Information School, that the Washington State Library launch a two to three-year statewide initiative encouraging an enhanced connection between schools and public libraries through information literacy activities and demonstration projects.

GOALS

1. Increase awareness in public library staff and school faculty of students' information seeking needs.
   
2. Coordinate efforts among public libraries and schools focusing on information literacy standards.
   
3. Improve public library staff's knowledge of the Washington State EALRs.
   
4. Initiate and share cooperative public library and school information literacy projects.
   
5. Train librarians throughout Washington in building school/public library partnerships.
   
6. Increase students' ability to locate, evaluate, and use information.

STATEMENT OF NEED

Historically, schools and public libraries have worked together in a variety of ways. There may be cases where a school district and its corresponding public library are beginning to cooperatively develop information literacy based programs. A statewide initiative to standardize such programs would leverage resources and provide more consistent outcomes.

Anecdotal evidence and research data tell us schools cannot bear the full burden for developing information literacy skills in young people. With the new responsibility of all Washington schools to meet the EALRs, the need for public library support is greater than ever. Meeting this challenge requires the cooperation of parents, caregivers, teachers, community groups and libraries throughout Washington State.

While some schools face more significant socio-economic and geographic barriers than others, all can use the support of public libraries in meeting the information needs of students. Schools and public libraries have a significant overlap in their service populations and have a shared mission to serve young people and their information needs. Here is a rich opportunity for these institutions to work together on improving the awareness and appropriate usage of information resources while meeting the increased academic demands on students.

According to Information Empowered: The School Librarian as an Agent of Academic Achievement in Alaska Schools (Alaska State Library, 2000), "library media center and public library cooperation is a predictor of academic achievement…where such cooperation exists, test scores are higher." Previously, a Library Research Study (no. 150, Colorado Department of Education, 1998) found as much as a ten point difference in 4th Grade Reading Scores when there is a relationship between the school library media program and the local public library. It would seem to follow that schools and public libraries responding collaboratively to increased information demands on students, teachers, and parents has the potential to increase student performance.

RELATIONSHIP TO LSTA

This program encourages schools and public libraries in all areas throughout Washington State to work together and share resources. Washington State Library has sponsored a statewide educational and media campaign to articulate the role libraries play in the information age. An initiative supporting large and small library information literacy outreach projects targeting local schools is a natural progression for this statewide information literacy campaign.

From Washington State Library Services and Technology Act 5-Year Plan:

Goal 1: The people of Washington, whatever their age, ability, culture, ethnic background, language, level of literacy, economic situation or geographic location, will have effective library service that meets their needs.

Goal 1, Objective 1: Increase the capacity of libraries to develop services that are responsive to and reflective of the diversity in their individual communities.

Goal 1, Objective 3: Increase ability of library employees to improve their customers' abilities to seek, evaluate, and use information. Action Plan: (f) Coordinate existing programs and services, and the development of new programs and services, among libraries and between local libraries and local agencies that provide information literacy.

CLIENTS SERVED

Kindergarten through twelfth grade students, school faculty, school librarians and public librarians in Washington State (Specific cooperative projects would most likely target a focused grade range of students.)

BENEFITS/IMPACT STATEMENT

This project builds on all of the state's connectivity and database licensing efforts aimed at making sure that all citizens have access to the world of information available on the Web. Now that students will have increased access to information, especially in electronic format, they need to know how to find, use and evaluate that information. Cooperation between schools and public libraries through standardized information literacy education should increase their success in information seeking efforts.

ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

Throughout this three-year initiative information and data will be collected as it pertains to the six areas listed in the "Goals" section above. Information collected will include:

1. Inventory of focus group and assessment activities regarding students' information seeking needs.
   
2. Inventory of focus group and assessment activities regarding public libraries and schools focusing on information literacy standards.
   
3. Inventory of public library staff training activities regarding the Washington State EALRs.
   
4. Inventory of cooperative public library and school information literacy projects.
   
5. Inventory of joint training or workshop activities regarding public library and school cooperation.
   
6. Anecdotal evidence and data collection regarding students' ability to locate, evaluate, and use information

SCOPE OF WORK

Year One

• Establish an Advisory Committee. Membership would consist of 8-10 people-public library staff working with youth, school library media center staff, school curriculum specialists, school principals-who will manage RFP process for the development and implementation of a state-wide needs assessment regarding information literacy education for students
  
• Create and implement a statewide needs assessment to determine what practices are in development or already in place regarding student learning and information literacy competency, e.g., focus groups and surveys of students, faculty, school librarians, and public library staff
  
• Compile information gathered
  
• Identify trends of overlaps or gaps between schools and public libraries in how they are addressing the information literacy needs of students
  
• Consult ongoing awareness campaigns and training already in progress to fine-tune recommended areas of need as they apply to students throughout Washington
  
• Develop information literacy curriculum to support student and professional training occurring in years two and three
  
• Issue recommendations resulting from this data to focus grant funding for years two and three

Years Two and Three

• Make grant funding available to public libraries and tribal libraries working cooperatively with their area schools for information literacy demonstration projects that attempt to meet the needs highlighted in the work during Year One. Project areas could include:
  
• Staff training on information literacy
  
• Public training for students and school faculty
  
• Increased learning opportunities for students
  
• Increased focus on information literacy by public and tribal library staff
  
• Enhanced electronic database and Internet training for students and faculty
  
• Compile quantitative (numbers of student training sessions, student scores on EALRs testing, etc.) and qualitative (enhanced learning environments, strengthened partnerships between school and public library, etc.) data from these demonstration projects, with particular interest in the recording of best practices of model school and public library programs
  
• Issue a final report

BUDGET

Year One
Staff $50,000.00
Travel $15,000.00
Printing, Publicity, postage $10,000.00

Year Two $500,000.00
(Assumes 20 grants per year, at an average of $25,000.00 per recipient)

Year Three $500,000.00
(Assumes 20 grants per year, at an average of $25,000.00 per recipient)

Staff Support for Years Two and Three $50,000.00
Final Report Costs: $10,000.00

Total Budget: $1,135,000.00

SUSTAINABILITY

The initial project would be of short-term duration-one year for needs assessment and to develop a proposed grant cycle. Two years of providing grant funding. Training and instruction of students and staff would, of course, provide for a longer-term impact.

RISK

In some areas of Washington, it may prove more difficult to build the cooperative relationship between public libraries and schools due local funding, political climate, etc.

Varying levels of technological expertise and availability within specific communities of Washington State.

TIMELINE

One year for needs assessment and to develop a proposed grant cycle. Based on proposal development for a grant cycle, would lead to a two-year period of grants for specific projects.

PROJECT EVALUATION

1. Quantitative (numbers of student training sessions, test scores, etc.) and qualitative (enhanced learning environments, strengthened partnerships between school and public library, etc.) data will be compiled from these demonstration projects, with particular interest in the establishment of best practices using model school and tribal and public library programs.
   
2. Compare pre-information literacy projects and post-information literacy projects student test scores.
   
3. A final report will be issued.

CONTACT:

Chance Hunt, [email protected]
Seattle Public Library
1000 4th Ave. Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 386-4097, FAX (206) 386-4635

SPONSORS:

Seattle Public Library
King County Library System
Sno-Isle Regional Library System
Spokane Public Library
Seattle School District
University of Washington Information School

Coordinated Statewide Library Marketing

DESCRIPTION

This is a project to coordinate the current and future marketing efforts of libraries in the state of Washington. This effort will pull together the key constituents including those involved in the statewide database licensing project, information literacy project, the Washington State Library as well as key academic, public, school, and special libraries. The object is to develop and implement a coordinated "library" marketing program that while spreading a common message, also highlights the unique identities of individual libraries and projects. Additionally, training and tools will be acquired or developed to assist libraries and librarians in carrying out library promotion efforts.

GOALS

1. To significantly raise visibility and public awareness of libraries of all kinds.
2. To promote the use of libraries and information for all citizens.
3. To facilitate collaboration among libraries in terms of marketing and public relations.
4. To develop mechanisms for a coordinated "library" theme while maintaining unique identities for individual libraries.
5. To promote access through libraries (physical and virtual).

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

• To raise awareness of libraries as a whole while identifying and highlighting local, individual libraries.
• To coordinate a common marketing theme across all libraries in Washington; building on the work of the ALA campaign of 2001 and efforts of major libraries in the state.
• To develop both a mechanism and to coordinate the marketing efforts of major State Library initiatives (e.g., statewide database licensing, information literacy) and to emphasize these programs in library marketing efforts.
• To tap into the expertise of library staff across the state while at the same time using professional marketing and public relations firms to develop and coordinate a statewide campaign.
• To deliver tools, resources, and direction to individual libraries through two forms of assistance:

1. A physical "kit" - a turnkey marketing and press kit aimed at small or understaffed libraries.
2. A set of guidelines, activities, and key political tasks for daily and regular visibility and awareness
3. Training for library staff in marketing techniques and the use of the tools and guidelines

• To identify or brand a web site (or URL) as a common entry point for information about and to all libraries.

STATEMENT OF NEED

Libraries aren't considered central to the daily life of many people in society. Most people have a traditional image of libraries. There is a positive aspect to this: libraries are helpful places; libraries provide good books; libraries provide services. There is also a negative aspect to this: libraries are intimidating; libraries are for the highly literate and educated; libraries mostly "do" books. Many individuals and communities do not look to the library as the key to the information age. There is a general unawareness of the scope, breadth, and interconnectedness of libraries.

The existing marketing and public relations campaigns designed to change this viewpoint are not coordinated. In fact, two of the major state library supported initiatives-statewide database licensing and information literacy-are both planning major marketing campaigns, independent of each other. Various public library campaigns are unconnected. Uncoordinated marketing is less effective and less efficient, and may even work against the common goals. This proposal seeks to maximize the impact of expenditures and effort of local libraries, while developing an underlying base message and funding an advertising campaign of benefit to all libraries in Washington.

RELATIONSHIP TO LSTA

The project focuses on the following LSTA priorities:

(4) Encourage libraries in different areas and encouraging different types of libraries to establish consortia and share resources.

(6) Targeting library and information services to persons having difficulty using and library and to underserved urban and rural communities, including children (from birth through age 17) from families with incomes below the poverty line.

The project is also central to the priorities of the statewide plan, Designing Our Future, as described in the criteria outlined on page 2 of the Preliminary Proposal Guidelines:

• provides direct results to patrons
  
• promotes use of libraries and information
  
• promotes access to libraries
  
• enhances visibility and public understanding of the value of libraries
  
• encourages collaboration among libraries, across levels, and with other agencies and organizations

CLIENTS SERVED

All citizens in the state of Washington will be served through library staff at all levels.

BENEFITS AND IMPACT

The benefits and impact to the general public include:

• increased awareness of libraries
• better, more accurate, more timely access to libraries
• increased opportunity for the public to have their information needs met
• more effective information service to the public (better service, more widespread access to resources and information)
• more efficient information service and access (availability, ease of use)

  The benefits and impact to the library community include:

• improved awareness of services.
• new perceptions and use by the public
• more widespread use
• improved communication between libraries and their constituencies
• viability in the electronic age

ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

The success of the project will be determined in relation to measurable outcomes including:

• a comparison of the degree of coordinated marketing at the end of the project with the baseline summary compiled in year 1
  
• a comparison of the state of public awareness and perception of libraries at the end of the project to the baseline summary compiled in year one
  
• the breadth of the statewide marketing campaign, i.e., did it reach throughout the state?
  
• the number of library staff receiving marketing training and the use of the training materials and tools
  
• the draft of recommendations for long-term sustainability of coordinated statewide marketing

SCOPE OF WORK

The project will span several years, the exact duration to be determined in year one:

• Year 1: Investigating and creating
  
• Year 2+: Implementing, formalizing, assessing, sustaining

Year 1: Investigating and creating:
Understanding the current situation and laying out a plan for the future, beginning to build the infrastructure and the collaborative environment, beginning coordinated marketing.

(1) Setting up infrastructure for coordinating statewide marketing.

• Project Board to:
  --- set vision and create policy
  --- convene decision-makers
  --- set guidelines for coordination
  --- recruit and hire the Statewide Marketing Coordinator
  --- select advertising/public relations agency
  
  
• Statewide Marketing Coordinator (Administrative Position) to:
  --- carry out the decisions of the Board
  --- manage the budget
  --- administer 3 major activities:
  
  a. Coordinate library marketing in the state - local, LSTA, statewide campaigns, etc. (e.g., coordination includes getting buy-in, building relationships, facilitating complementary actions)
  b. Oversee the development and implementation of the Statewide Marketing Campaign
  c. Manage the process of developing of training materials and tools for local implementation
  
  
• Subcommittees
  --- Training and Tools Subcommittee
  --- Campaign Subcommittee

NOTE: Coordination - getting folks to buy-in and cooperate - will require a range of groups and actions meeting in various contexts. Therefore, we do not recommend setting up a single subcommittee focusing on coordinating marketing efforts. The Statewide Marketing Coordinator should have the flexibility to set up mechanisms as deemed desirable and appropriate.

(2) The Coordinator and Project Board will convene a series of coordination summits with library leaders and public relations staff (and possibly national leaders if deemed valuable) to discuss and agree on a set of coordination actions, links to local efforts, and the guidelines for the statewide campaign. They will develop a series of actions and timelines for coordination. The operational word is harmony. Membership for subcommittees will also be recruited.

(3) The Project Board will define broad goals for both subcommittees.

(4) Facilitated by the Coordinator, the subcommittees begin assigned activities.

(5) The Coordinator oversees the:

• assessment of the state of public awareness and perception of libraries in WA (create and borrow for studies already conducted)
  
• analysis of what's going on and what's planned for marketing
  
• analysis of what's going on and what's planned for coordination of marketing efforts
  
• development of a needs assessment in terms of marketing and coordination of marketing efforts
  
• proposes a plan to the Project Board.

Year 1 will be deemed successful if:

• the Coordinator and all necessary boards and committees are in place
  
• the summary and analyses are completed
  
• there is agreement among library leaders about the goals and guidelines for cooperation
  
• a plan of action is confirmed

Year 2+: Implementing, formalizing, assessing, sustaining:
Verify and formalize coordination relationships, implement in-depth coordination, hold training, launch coordinated major campaign, finalize assessment and long-term plan.

(1) Training: develop additional programs and tools, disseminate, assess effectiveness, revise, and complete training statewide. Seek sustainability for the most successful training elements (tools or programs) based on the assessment.

(2) Coordination: set up communication systems and meetings (marketing/public relations specialists at each library), regional; promoting the sharing of expertise, approaches, and materials. Continue "harmony" efforts. Determine critical elements for success and seek long-term funding to provide these elements.

(3) Campaign: build campaign, finalize plans, ensure co-branding, spin off pieces for local use, launch campaign. Complete. Post-campaign assessment. Recommend follow-up on statewide and locally.

(4) Assessment: include drafting recommendations for long-term sustainability of coordinated statewide marketing. Conduct a summative assessment and establish criteria for assessment of continuing elements.

Year 2+ will be deemed successful if:

• the training materials and tools are created and disseminated to all regions in the state
  
• training and use of training materials and tools are available and used in 75% of libraries in Washington
  
• there is recognizable coordination across library types and regions
  
• the campaign is implemented and analyzed upon completion
  
• long-term critical elements for success are identified and a plan exists for further development of these elements
  
• there is a clear sense of the degree of success of the project and next steps
  

BUDGET

The year one budget is $108,500

SUSTAINABILITY

One of the charges of the Project Administrator and Board is to identify A) does the project assessment suggest a benefit sufficient to merit a long term existence, B) if the answer to A is yes, then design a program to sustain the ongoing work begun by the project and find appropriate funding.

RISK

The risk for libraries and the state is not doing this project. There is widespread recognition of the need to engage new users in libraries, change the perception of libraries, and move libraries to center stage. Coordinating marketing efforts, training staff in all libraries on effective marketing, and a statewide marketing campaign has the potential to make a substantive difference. Again, the greater is to maintain the status quo.

TIMELINE

See scope of work

PROJECT EVALUATION

Standard media tracking and statistics, public opinion measurements and outcome assessment tools will be utilized to evaluate the project's effectiveness. The following issues will be investigated. The project coordinator will manage this process:

• Effectiveness of the various media used
  
• Effectiveness of the message
  
• Effectiveness of the operational structure (administration & consortium)
  
• Cost Benefit Analysis
  
• Participant library opinion relative future collaboration
  
• Effectiveness of training and local tool kits

SP0NSOR GROUP

This project proposal grew out of a meeting on coordinated marketing sponsored by the Library Council of Washington. There were representatives across library types including Bill Ptacek, King County, Deborah Jacobs, Seattle Public, John Popko, Seattle University, Betty Bengston, University of Washington, Mike Eisenberg, University of Washington, Ann Marie Clark, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Jan Weber, WLMA; a representative from OSPI in place of Gayle Pauley; and a representative from Seattle Public Schools.

Information Literacy- Year III

DESCRIPTION

It is proposed that WSL, in conjunction with other libraries and organizations, launch a large state-wide campaign to enhance the information literacy of all Washington citizens, young and old alike.

Year III, FY 2002, is currently planned as the year in which assessment and evaluation of the project will take place, as well as the establishment of institutional and organizational partnerships to continue the project goals outside of LSTA funding.

GOALS

At the end of the year:

• Assessment data will have been gathered and analyzed. Recommendations resulting from this data will be formulated for further action in this area.
  
• The project will have partners willing to support further efforts in the area of information literacy.
  
• The current Steering Committee will dissolve and a new board will be created to continue work.
  
• A preliminary version of the new project structure and strategic plan will be drafted for approval by the new board.
  
• A final report will be issued.
  

STATEMENT OF NEED

The location, use and evaluation of information always has been the concern of library and information specialists. It is what we do in building collections, cataloging them and assisting patrons in making use of them. Educating library customers to navigate the tools and resources, and then watching as they expand their horizons in successful research and exploration is core to the profession. Unfortunately, that core is not necessarily clear to library customers and there are many who would be hard pressed to accurately define the purpose of a library and the job of a librarian.

In today's world there are specific challenges which must be met in order to adequately locate, use and evaluate information, and the educational thrust of this proposal is intended to address these challenges. If Information Literacy is an essential competency to the profession it is important to continue multi-type library cooperation and collaboration. It is essential for ongoing program development that assessment and evaluation to take place to feed into strategic planning for a new project board.

RELATIONSHIP TO LSTA

This project addresses LSTA concerns with "electronically linking libraries with educational, social, or information services" by enhancing the skills of librarians in educating their patrons in the proper use and evaluation of these resources.

It reflects their concern to encourage "different types of libraries to establish consortia and share resources" by bringing representatives from academic, public, school and special libraries together to discuss a common set of standards for information literacy and coordinate efforts to reach the citizens of the state.

From the Five Year LSTA Plan:
Goal 1, Objective 3: Increase ability of library employees to improve their customers' abilities to seek, evaluate, and use information. Action Plan: (e) Develop an integrated program of information literacy that involves all types of libraries (f) Coordinate existing programs and services, and the development of new programs and services, among libraries and between local libraries and local agencies that provide information literacy.

CLIENTS SERVED

Staff of all libraries and all Washington citizens.

BENEFITS/IMPACT STATEMENT

This project builds on all of the state's connectivity efforts that are aimed at making sure that all citizens have access to the world of information available on the Web. The Information Literacy Initiative takes the next logical step by assisting citizens in becoming more aware of existing resources and in helping them locate and evaluate those resources.

Specific activities and benefits include:

• Continued training of library personnel in Information Literacy concepts and methods.
  
• Ability to analyze and evaluate the sustainability of the model developed in Years I and II.
  
• Ability to evaluate the impact of a concentrated marketing campaign for libraries.
  
• Promotes use of statewide marketing efforts for library issues.
  
• Begins to build a pool of expertise and experience in the use of marketing.
  
• Development of assessment tools for libraries to use in program performance.
  
• Greater ability to do multi-type library cooperation and project development around the theme of information literacy.
  
• Explores model of profit and not-for-profit organizational partnerships
  

ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

• Assessment data will have been gathered and analyzed. Recommendations resulting from this data will be formulated for further action.
  
• Assess penetration of training in library community
  
• Assess level of programmatic support in libraries
  
• Assess impact of marketing campaign on public
  
• Disseminate data among library community
  
• Formulate recommendations
  
• The project will have partners willing to support further efforts in the area of information literacy
  
• Partners will be committed to financial/program support of effort
  
• Training efforts begun in Year II will be continued and expanded
  
• Infrastructure will support continued training and marketing efforts
  
• The current Steering Committee will dissolve and a new board will be created to continue work
  
• A preliminary version of the new project structure and strategic plan will be drafted for approval by the new board.
  
• Draft available by Dec. 2002
  
• A final report will be issued.
  
• Report available January 2003
  

SCOPE OF WORK

In order to carry out the assessment and evaluation of project activities for Years I and II, the following tasks will be undertaken:

• Market research survey
  
• Training evaluations
  
• Based on training evaluations, up to ten additional training sessions will take place
  
• Training penetration survey
  
• Survey programmatic support of information literacy in libraries
  
• Reporting/dissemination of data to libraries
  
• Identification of key stakeholders for continuation of project
  
• Identification and recruitment of partners
  
• Formulation of recommendations for new project infrastructure
  
• Establishment of new board for oversight of project goals
  
• Development of strategic plan
  
• Issuing final report
  

BUDGET

$77,500

SUSTAINABILITY

Project efforts will be sustained through formal partnerships with libraries in Washington state and other profit and non-profit organizations such as: professional associations, state agencies, library vendors, foundations, educational institutions, etc.

RISK

Immediate project goals of marketing and training will be carried out. Assessment will take place. There is some risk of not being able to find significant levels of financial and organizational support to sustain project efforts beyond the LSTA project period.

TIMELINE

PROJECT EVALUATION

Evaluation and analysis of the project's activities is the main focus of the project this year.

Data-gathering will take place on several levels and will be compared to data gathered in Year I of the project. Tools employed will include:

• Market research survey
  
• Training evaluations
  
• Training penetration survey
  
• Survey of programmatic support of information literacy in libraries
  

SPONSOR GROUP

• Information Literacy Project Steering Committee (Please see attached list for individual names)
  
• Information Literacy Project Reflector Group (Please see attached list for individual names)
  
• Gates Foundation
  
• University of Washington, Information School
  
• Seattle Public Library
  

CONTACT:

Rhona Klein
Washington State Library
P. O. Box 42460
Olympia, WA 98504-2460 Phone Number: 503-228-1126 Fax Number: 360-586-7575

Early Learning Initiative 

DESCRIPTION

A grant program for developing effective programs and partnerships based on emerging research on brain development and the important role libraries play in the development of children from birth through preschool age. This Phase 3 of the Early Learning Initiative will offer a second round of grants for demonstration projects and continue to develop statewide training and support for this service.

In Phase I, the Early Learning Initiative was dedicated to educating public and tribal library staff about brain development in children from birth through preschool age and providing them best practices and models for program development. This training also emphasized developing collaborative partnerships with community groups who are providing related services and increasing visibility in communities, so that agencies will naturally turn to libraries as partners in such programming. Phase II helped libraries develop services for this age group. Phase III will continue service development and ensure continuation of the momentum and support.

GOAL

The goals of this initiative are to help libraries:

• develop programming and services which have a positive impact on this age group and their caregivers,
  
• develop collaborative partnerships with others professional and community groups that are providing related services,
  
• to improve the visibility of the important role of libraries for this early age of child development.
  
• to develop tools to help libraries replicate exemplary programs in the future.

STATEMENT OF NEED

New research on brain development has shown that young children=s language development is significantly enhanced by listening and talking about books, reading and alphabet. The public library plays a crucial role in serving preschoolers and their parents. The new research has put a new spotlight on the importance of reading and language activities with this young population. This is an opportunity for libraries to promote their role in this important period of life.

Training in Phase I of the Early Learning Initiative helped libraries answer such questions as:

• How should library programming adjust to fit the emerging research?
  
• Are there successful models that libraries have implemented that take advantage of what we now know about child development?
  
• How can we work more effectively with other agencies serving this population?

Phase II provided grants to help libraries not currently serving this population to develop basic collections and training to provide these services. Grants were also offered to help libraries develop new and effective programs for serving this emerging need. Steering Committee will work on publicity and offering training at other venues.

Phase III will provide additional grants to develop these programs and help libraries develop similar programs in the future. This phase will include evaluation of program effectiveness. Publicity and training opportunities will continue. It is possible that core collections will be offered for library partnership projects.

RELATIONSHIP TO LSTA

This program effectively serves Item #6 under the LSTA requirements: A targeting library and information services to persons having difficulty using a library and to under-served urban and rural communities, including children (from birth through age 17) from families with incomes below the poverty line.

CLIENTS SERVED

Children ages 0 - 5 and families in the Washington.

BENEFIT/IMPACT

This program will help improve services to this important population. It will also position libraries well in the community to work in collaboration with agencies to provide services for an important time in a child's life.

ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

Accountability measures will be included in the grant proposal. Part of the accountability is reflected in the granting criteria. For the first demonstration project, the criteria included the requirement that:

• Applicant library will use current research on brain development as a basis for the proposed program or service.
  
• Applicant library has one or more community partners who will help develop and implement the programs or services, both during the grant program and beyond should the program prove to be successful and be continued.
  
• Staff and community partners will participate in data-gathering efforts related to this grant cycle.
  
• Applicant library staff and community partners will be willing to share their experiences and learnings with other libraries in Washington State and beyond.

In addition, those receiving core collections will be required to attend a training session on the use of those collections. Each grantee is expected to evaluate their project, providing measures that are quantifiable and appropriate for determining whether the project has been successful. We expect these same criteria will be included in the 2002 grant cycle. The Steering Committee will develop statewide accountability measures for this project.

BUDGET:

$420,000 will be available for grants awarded to specific libraries in a special granting cycle. Additional funding will provide staff support and fund committee work, outcome publications, and public relations. Demonstration grant guidelines and process will be based on those developed for the 2001 cycle. In Fall 2001, the Steering Committee will consider a possible special award cycle providing core collections with community partners. Also during 2002, the Steering Committee will look at developing effective partnerships with the University of Washington and the Gates Early Learning Foundation, possibly developing a partnership with the University of Washington regarding evaluation measures.

Grants: $420,000
Staff Support and Committee Work Support: $ 30,000
TOTAL: $450,000

Note: Based on requests from the library community for more grant funding, we are raising the grant budget. For Phase 2 demonstration projects, 13 libraries requested $30,770. Staff support has been reduced to reflect re-evaluation of the workload.

SUSTAINABILITY

Early Learning Initiative Grant projects will include the requirement that libraries show the ability to sustain the project beyond the granting period. The website developed in Phase I shares information on this topic and library services for this population. Demonstration libraries are required to implement projects in partnership with other community groups. These partnerships, the web site and training will significantly support sustainability through enhanced knowledge, skills and standards for many libraries. Methods will be developed by the Steering Committee to ensure that results learned are shared with other libraries through the website, special workshops and possibly publications.

RISK

Since many of these projects will be new to libraries, there is a risk that they will not be effective in reaching the intended clientele or formulating the desire partnerships. It is possible the library will not be able to maintain programs beyond the granting period. It will be important in the year 2000 and 2001 to establish as much support as possible to help ensure the success of projects in 2002. Even unsuccessful projects will benefit from the experience and can share their 'lessons learned' statewide.

TIMELINE

April 2000: Consultant (KCLS) sign contract, Steering Committee began work

April - September 2000: Consultants and Steering Committee:

• Identify best practices in Washington and the nation
  
• Develop connections with statewide organizations serving this age group and their families
  
• Plan training
  
• Promote training attendance
  

Fall 2000: Training provided at various locations in Washington

Fall 2000: Consultants will:

• Create a resource website on topic (KCLS will maintain web site two years after grant)
  
• Select core collection

October - January 2001: Consultants and Steering Committee design 2001 grant cycle:

• I Core Early Learning collections
  
• II Demonstration projects

February 2001: State Library issues Phase II grant announcements and reviews proposals

June 2001: State Library announces Phase II grant awards

February - December 2001: KCLS working with Steering Committee will:

• Order core collection
  
• Plan core collection training

Spring 2001: Steering Committee and State Library will hire State Library consultant to work on youth services projects.

Fall 2001:

• Phase II grants begin
  
• Training provided for core collection awardees
  
• Additional training planned for library community
  
• A workplan created for program evaluation and explore outcome based measures

October - January 2002: State Library and Steering Committee will:

• Design 2002 Phase III grant cycle
  
• Implement additional training

February 2002: State Library issues Phase III grant announcements and review proposals

June 2002: State Library announces Phase III grant awards

Summer 2002: Steering Committee will:

• Implement evaluation
  
• Support projects
  
• Develop a plan to report on projects and best practices

Summer 2003:

• All projects completed
  
• Steering Committee completed evaluation and provide State Library recommendations for future continuation
  

PROJECT EVALUATION

• Each individual grantee will be asked to evaluate its project. The Early Learning Initiative Steering Committee will continue to function during these granting periods. The Steering Committee will evaluate the effectiveness of this grant program for meeting the goals of the Early Learning Initiative.

The Steering Committee is particularly interested in outcome-based evaluations for this service. At this time, Keith Curry Lance is applying for a grant to develop outcome measures for Youth Services programs. We are hopeful that he will receive this grant and that we can work with him in developing measures so that libraries can effectively evaluate such programs. It seems more appropriate for us to work with national initiatives to develop such measures rather than develop measures unique to Washington.

SPONSOR GROUP

• Neel Parikh, Director, Pierce County Library System
  
• Martha Van Pelt, Director, Walla Walla Public Library
  
• Judy T. Nelson, Youth Services Manager, King County Library System (Phase I Project Coordinator)
  
• Sally Polk, Youth Services Coordinator, King County Library System
  
• Eva Lusk, Youth Services Coordinator, Spokane County Library District, CAYAS Board
  
• Kay O'Connell, Children's Services Manager, Sno-Isle Regional Library
  
• Martha Shinners Washington State Library
  
  

Diversity

DESCRIPTION

Provide grant funds to assist libraries in developing effective programs to serve multi-ethnic populations. Grant programs will emphasize effective needs assessment, community partnerships and developing outreach programs.

For the past year, the Cultural Diversity Steering Committee has designed a training program and conducting a survey of Washington libraries to evaluate their needs for training and support in providing services to culturally diverse populations. This needs assessment is the basis for developing training and future LSTA grant programming. The Steering Committee will be evaluating that survey and responses from training attendees in order to consider potential support for statewide initiatives. For example, there have already been proposals for a statewide multi-lingual collection center.

GOALS

The goals of the Diversity Initiative are as follows:

• Empower library boards and library staff to reach out to diverse populations
  
• Increase the skill of library staff in working effectively with diverse populations
  
• Increase library programs/services to diverse communities in local areas
  

STATEMENT OF NEED

Washington Trends from the Office of Financial Management Forecasting Division reveals that about 11 percent of the state's population is non-white. It is expected that by 2000, about 12.5 percent of the state's population will be non-white. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Washington State is fourteenth in the nation in the number of minority populations, tenth in the number of Hispanic origin people, seventh in the number of Asian/Pacific Islanders, and fifth in the number of American Indian/Eskimos. Washington State is fourth in the nation in the number of interracial children. While Washington libraries may not see these minorities in their libraries, it is clear from the data that a significant population lives in the state. In addition, the state has experienced a large influx of Russian and Ukrainian immigrants.

Some libraries have attempted to educate staff members, develop outreach programs and buy collections to meet the needs of their diverse populations. Most libraries, however, have not. In most cases, training of staff and developing new outreach programs is very expensive and not within the budgets of any but the largest libraries. As a result, most libraries have not attempted to work in this area.

In 2001, training will be offered across the state to prepare libraries to serve growing populations. In 2002, grants will be made available to help libraries initiate new services or enhance existing services. Libraries need help developing these services, building collections and reaching new populations.

RELATIONSHIP TO LSTA

This initiative addresses two strategic issues under the Access Goal (The Washington library community will improve their customers' access to library service and resources) in Designing Our Future. The strategies are:
"Develop and expand access where it is constrained by culture, language, literacy level, age, abilities, economics and geography"

"Develop strategies to identify and address needs of the underserved."

In the state's LSTA plan, this initiative addresses Goal 1, Objective 1.
Washington State's LSTA Goal 1: "The people of Washington, whatever their age, ability, culture, ethnic background, language, level of literacy, economic situation or geographic location, will have effective library service that meets their needs."

Washington State's LSTA Objective 1 for Goal 1: "Increase the capacity of libraries to develop services which are responsive to and reflective of the diversity in their individual communities."

In the federal LSTA priorities, this initiative addresses the sixth priority: Targeting library and information services to persons having difficulty using a library and to underserved urban and rural communities, including children (from birth through age 17) from families with incomes below the poverty line.

CLIENTS SERVED

Ultimately, the main clients to be served are ethnically diverse populations in the service area of each library. This will be done through training and funding opportunities for library staff members, library trustees, and directors of libraries. While there are many other minority groups (people constrained by age, physical abilities, sexual orientation, and poverty, etc.), this effort concentrates on ethnically and culturally diverse populations. Including a broader range of people will dilute the impact of the initiative. Other focused efforts should be designed to meet the specific needs of other minority groups.

BENEFITS/IMPACT STATEMENT

Library staff members will increase their knowledge and their comfort in working with minority groups. They will be prepared to successfully interact with new customers from a variety of backgrounds. Libraries will be proactive in developing programs, services, and outreach efforts to fit the needs of a growing population.

ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

Accountability measures will be included in the grant proposal. Late in 2001, the Steering Committee will develop guidelines for the granting process. Those guidelines will also outline some accountability issues. Each project will be responsible for providing statistics, showing the impact of these services on the intended population. The US Census providing demographic information according to ethnicity will not be available until late in 2001. There will be some effort on the part of the Steering Committee to provide information to libraries about ethnic populations in their region and to encourage them to evaluate census data and respond to their emerging diversity.

BUDGET

The current plan is that $325,000 will be available for grants awarded to libraries in a special granting cycle. Grants will be offered to all types of libraries in order to develop or enhance programs for serving culturally diverse populations.

BUDGET

$325,000

Either as a part of the grant cycle or as a committee project, the Steering Committee will consider funding a feasibility study for providing a centralized state multi-lingual collection.

SUSTAINABILTY

Grant projects will include the requirement that libraries show the ability to sustain the project beyond the granting period. During 2002, the Steering Committee will discuss techniques for maintaining the momentum and communication regarding developing a support network for developing services to these populations.

RISK

Since many of these projects will be new to libraries, there is a risk that they will not be effective in reaching the intended clientele or formulating the desired partnerships. Even though we will include in the grant cycle a requirement that libraries demonstrate their intent to maintain their program beyond the grant cycle, it may be possible that a library will not be able to maintain programs beyond the granting period. Because we are working with ethnic populations, one of the concerns by the Steering Committee is the need for a culturally diverse staff to provide many of these services. There will be an attempt in the program to help libraries recruit diverse staff, but this may be difficult in some communities. While all of these things could happen, the mere fact that training has been offered, that staff has additional awareness, and that we've encouraged experimentation in providing new services, these experiences will be helpful for libraries to learn from each other from both good and bad experiences.

TIMELINE

April - December 2000: Steering Committee:

• Reviews and refines Cultural Diversity Initiative goals and objectives
  
• Develops and conducts a needs assessment
  
• Develops a plan for training programs throughout the state.

December 2000: Needs Assessment implemented

January - April 2001: Steering Committee will:

• Plan cultural diversity training efforts
  
• Interview and hire trainers
  
• Secure locations for training sessions
  
• Promote attendance at training sessions
  

Fall 2001:

• Training sessions will be implemented
  
• Steering Committee is also interested in pursuing orientation during the W.I.L.L. workshop in this time period.
  
• Steering Committee will edit an issue of Alki, providing a series of articles or case studies regarding services to culturally diverse populations.

October 2001 - January 2002:

• Library and Steering Committee will design a 2002 grant cycle.

February 2002:

• State Library issues grants announcements
  
• Reviews proposals

June 2002:

• State Library announces grant awards
  

February - December 2002:

• Steering committee will develop methods to support these projects and activities in the future.

Summer 2003:

• All projects completed
  
• Steering Committee will complete evaluation and provide State Library recommendations for future continuation
  

PROJECT EVALUATION

Each individual grantee will be asked to evaluate its project. The Steering Committee will evaluate the overall affect of the program in meeting the goals of the Initiative.

SPONSOR GROUP

• Neel Parikh, Chair, Library Council of Washington
  
• Susan Barrett, Washington State Library
  
• Karen Goettling, Washington State Library
  
• Brenda Brock, Library Director, Lakeside Upper School
  
• Karen Fernandez, Highline Community College
  
• Amy Lee, Online Reference Coordinator, Fort Vancouver Regional Library
  
• Sally Polk, Kirkland Library, King County Library System
  
• Carolyn Riddle, Big Bend Community College Library
  
• Judith Rizzuti-Hare, Pasco Library, Mid-Columbia Regional Library
  
• Roy Sahali, Tribal Connections Project, University of Washington
  
• Eileen Simmons, Assistant Director, Everett Public Library
  
• Marcellus Turner, Tacoma Public Library
  
• Rayette Wilder, Gonzaga University
  

Digital Images - Phase 4

DESCRIPTION

$35,000 in LSTA funds is requested for project activities focused on public recognition of and marketing of digital collections held by Washington libraries and heritage organizations. The content of the DigitalWA web portal and the Digital Best Practices web site would be expanded and updated. The Digital Images Initiative steering committee would take the lead in promoting the digital collections of Washington libraries and heritage organizations through the web site and other forms of electronic media. Staffing of the project would be absorbed in the regular workload of the WSL Consultants Team and the technical support positions of WSL.

GOALS

• To promote public knowledge of and use of digital collections owned by Washington libraries and heritage organizations.
  
• To promote collaborative digitization projects conducted by heritage organizations, museums and libraries.
  
• To make Washington residents aware of digital collections created through collaborative projects using of LSTA funds. Access for residents will be offered through web sites and searchable indexes that link to established sites.
• To offer additional digital training resources to the Washington library community through the Digital Best Practices web site.
• To investigate a framework for long-term availability of digital collections.
  

STATEMENT OF NEED

Phase four activities will sustain the efforts, information and training opportunities made available through earlier allocations of LSTA funds to the Digital Images Initiative. The allocation is necessary for these reasons:

• Eighty-eight libraries and heritage organizations reported being somewhat to very interested in conducting collaborative digital projects over the next three years according to a survey conducted in 1999. Seventy-five of the organizations and libraries want to complete a project before the year 2002. URL: http://www.statelib.wa.gov/projects/Digitize/index.htm
• More staff from public libraries and heritage organizations will have access to the Digital Best Practices web site. Eighty-nine persons from Washington attended the recent NEDCC School for Scanning held in Seattle, September 2000, Forty-three of the eighty-nine attendees were University of Washington librarians, students or staff. The remaining forty-six attendees were from: University/college - 14 Archives - 8 Government - 8 School - 2 Public library - 5 Museum/Historical - 5 Corporate/special - 4
  
• Libraries are assuming the role as creators, as well as managers, of digital collections. In September 1999, eighty academic library leaders met at the ARL/OCLC Strategic Issues Forum where they formulated the Keystone Principles for digital libraries. Principle 2 states that "libraries are responsible for creating innovative information systems for the dissemination and preservation of information and new knowledge regardless of format." A key component is creation of digital publishing capability. While the issues forum focused on academic libraries, creation of digital content is clearly in the future of libraries of all types. ["The ARL/OCLC Keystone Principles for Library Service." Information Intelligence, Online Libraries and Microcomputers 17(2): 1-3, December 1999]
• Recent changes in Internet technologies and the K-20 infrastructure support that may become available next year will make it possible for many more libraries to feel confident in proposing a digitization project in FY2002;
  
• Best practices information and guidelines currently available through the Digital Best Practices web site will be expanded and enhanced. The web site will continue to be available to libraries for two more years. Small libraries and heritage organizations will have additional time to make use of and apply those guidelines before submitting project proposals;
• More than 15 libraries will have completed digital collection projects and will benefit from the wider exposure and promotion of their digital collections.
  

RELATIONSHIP TO LSTA

• Establishing and enhancing electronic linkages among or between libraries by fostering common indexes to digital resources.
  
• Assisting libraries in accessing information through electronic networks. All digital collections created through the grant projects will be accessible via the DigitalWa portal web site.
  
• Encouraging libraries in different areas and encouraging different types of libraries to establish consortia and share resources. Successful grant projects that include collaboration between libraries, or libraries and heritage groups would be featured.
  

CLIENTS SERVED

Residents of Washington State and users of the World Wide Web will be served by these activities. In addition, libraries and heritage organizations will benefit from focused access to digital collections for research, exhibits and local history interests. Using the K-20 network, students and teachers will be able to access primary source materials and local history through web sites and common search sites. A special effort will be made to notify the 120 organizations who responded to the DII survey of training, and grant funding opportunities. Promotion of the DigitalWa portal will target all libraries in WA.

BENEFITS/IMPACT STATEMENT

This initiative is important to sustain the earlier efforts of libraries that have created digital collections. It will continue to promote and sustain the partnerships between libraries and heritage organizations. Benefits to the residents of the state as a whole include:

• Access to primary resources and special collections will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, an improvement over the limited hours of libraries and heritage organizations.
  
• Access by all web users to original library-generated digital content.
  
• Quality primary resources in digital format available to students over the K-20 communications backbone through links that support the goals of the K-20 initiative and the Information Literacy initiative.
  
• Access to collections of heritage materials in digital formats by users interested in local history and primary sources.
  
• Partnerships between libraries and heritage organizations to promote the usage of libraries, museums and historical societies.
  

ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

WSL staff and members of the DII steering committee will track usage of the DigitalWA web portal to measure public interest in the digital collections. User comments on the web portal content will be collected and acted upon. A satisfaction survey will be conducted for the Best Practices web site six months after the launch date. Further improvements to the training site will be generated in response to the survey. DII activities will continue to be promoted via the DII web page at: http://www.statelib.wa.gov/projects/Digitize/index.htm.

SCOPE OF WORK

• The Washington Digital Library portal site http://digitalwa.statelib.wa.gov/ will promote and market Digital collections owned by Washington libraries and heritage organizations.
  
• Using the web software, staff will track public knowledge of and use of the Washington Digital Library portal site.
  
• The DII staff and Steering Committee will make Washington residents aware of library digital collections created through collaborative projects using LSTA funds. Access for residents will be offered through web sites and searchable indexes that link to established sites.
• DII staff will work with staff from the Preservation, Information Literacy, and Marketing initiatives to collaborate wherever possible.
  
• The DII Steering Committee will hold regular meetings.
  
• The DII Steering Committee will conduct another DII interest survey in early 2003 and post results on the DII web page http://www.statelib.wa.gov/projects/Digitize/index.htm
  
• The Digital Best Practices web site will be expanded and updated with information on training and project management.
  
• The DII staff and Steering Committee will survey the Washington library community regarding availability of digital content hosting capability.
  

BUDGET

TOTAL: $35,000

SUSTAINABILITY

The Washington State Library has committed to hosting the Washington Digital portal site and the Best Practices web site through September 30, 2003. Washington libraries that receive Digital Images grant funding using LSTA fund must address the sustainability of their digital collections as part of the grant project. The responsibility to maintain access to digital collections rests with individual organizations.

RISK

The DII steering committee believes that Washington libraries will continue to be interested in and will desire to create and publish digital collections. Phase 4 activities will include continued promotion of digital collections held by libraries. This is a positive outcome for the use of LSTA funds. However, active promotion of digital collections, active training and promoting the availability of project management information will continue to generate interest among the library community for further digital project grant cycles. The DII steering committee believes that members of the library community will ask for a DII grant cycle for the FFY 2004.

There is some risk that libraries will use LSTA funds to create digital collections that they cannot sustain over the long terms. However the risk of failed projects in the area of digital collections is no greater than that for any of the LSTA initiatives.

TIMELINE

Phase 4 activities will begin after October 1, 2002 and continue through September 30, 2003. During that time the DII steering committee will assess the library community interest in and need for another DII grant cycle for FFY 2004.

PROJECT EVALUATION

The DII steering committee will review the usage statistics from the Washington Digital portal and Best Practices web sites to assess the impact of the marketing and promotion efforts. The committee will also use the web page survey and comments generated from the Best Practices web site to assess the value of training and project management information offered. A DII interest survey will be conducted in spring 2003 and the results will be posted to the Washington Digital portal

SPONSOR GROUP

The Digital Images Initiative steering committee members: Kevin Comerford, Microsoft Media Library, Lare Mischo, Tacoma Public Library; Carol Cahill, Port Townsend Public Library; Mary Jo White, South Seattle Community College; Dave Hastings, Washington State Archives. WSL Digital Images Initiative staff: Gayle Palmer, [email protected]. Tamara Georgick, Tom Martin

K-12

DESCRIPTION

The K-12 School Library Initiative will provide school librarians with the skills, tools and training needed to make a positive impact on student achievement. The initiative will focus on curriculum development, collaboration, technology resources, leadership and advocacy, and evaluation.

GOALS

Funding the K-12 School Library Initiative will help prepare school librarians to make more significant contributions to student achievement and will make K-12 libraries the true centers of learning in schools. The goals for this project are to:

• Collect, develop, and disseminate a curriculum models that connect national Information Power standards with Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements
  
• Provide training and partnership opportunities to foster collaboration among school librarians classroom teachers, administrators, and community library staff.
  
• Teach and integrate information resources, including online databases provided through the Statewide Database Licensing federal project.
  
• Provide leadership and advocacy training for school librarians.
  
• Develop and implement evaluation tools that measure the impact of better-trained librarians on student achievement.
  

STATEMENT OF NEED

Inconsistency characterizes K-12 school library services across the state. Instruction, staffing, resources and budgets vary according to local conditions and decisions. Surveys conducted in other states (Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Pennsylvania) establish that there is a strong correlation between student achievement and strong school library programs in which the school librarian is an instructional leader.

Many school librarians need training in technology, leadership, advocacy and collaboration skills. They also need a curriculum framework for connecting national and state information literacy standards. This framework would identify the most important skills that librarians should be helping students master.

A good school library program can override the potential negative effects of economic factors on learning. The K-12 School Library Initiative will focus on improving curriculum development, collaboration, technology resources, leadership and advocacy, and evaluation.

Research findings have identified three important points:

1. There is a direct relationship between well-funded library media center programs and test results, despite economic differences between schools. In Colorado it was found that when school librarians were better trained, support for the library program increased.

2. There is a direct relationship between the quality of a school's library (as measured by staffing and size of collection) and academic performance of the students. The statewide database has expanded collections significantly, but true integration of this resource has yet to be achieved. Funding for this proposal will provide training and collaborative opportunities that will promote better use of the database.

3. Collaboration between teacher librarians and teachers has a positive effect on student test scores and information literacy. "The Colorado findings show that students' test scores were higher when…school library staff spent time teaching information literacy to students, planning instructional units with teachers, and providing in-service training with teachers."

Point Three is the most important aspect of this initiative. A systematic approach to training for school librarians that targets collaboration and information literacy skills will have a positive impact on student achievement. The K-12 School Library Initiative will:

• Expand school librarians' understanding and use of information literacy through curriculum integration that is collaboratively designed by school librarians and classroom teachers.
• Increase the collaborative skills of school librarians. This training will integrate goals from Information Power and Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements to create a curriculum framework that brings the power of information literacy to students. It will encourage school librarians to maximize the resources available in other libraries in their community.
• Impact the emphasis, use, and support of the Statewide Database Licensing Project. Already the SDL has dramatically increased resources in K-12 libraries, specifically, through the full-text magazine and newspaper databases the project delivers to all public K-12 schools. The K-12 School Library Initiative will provide training for school librarians to help students and staff make more effective use of online resources.
• Increase leadership and advocacy skills of school librarians through systematic training and opportunities to apply these skills. Enable them to share results of this initiative with school administrators.
• Create a structure and timeline for the long term measurement of better-trained librarians on student achievement.

One result of the K-12 Library Summit held in April 2000 was a strong call for current data on the status and condition of school libraries in Washington State. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the State Library will cooperate in the spring of 2001 to collect data via a web-based survey. Data collected in that survey will drive the development of the specific training and curriculum.

Given the strong relationship between student achievement and effective school library programs, Washington students will benefit from training programs for school librarians.

The K-12 School Library Initiative meets the following LSTA priorities: 1. Establishing or enhancing electronic linkages among or between libraries.

• This initiative will result in K-12 librarians making better use of resources in which funds are already invested and which they currently share with other types of libraries.

2. Electronically linking libraries with educational, social, or information services.

• This initiative will build on the Statewide Database agreement.
  
• Collaboration with public libraries with be fostered through this initiative.
  
• As teacher librarians develop skills in using online resources, they will teach students and staff to access information through many portals.

3. Assisting libraries in accessing information through electronic networks.

• The training to be provided during this initiative will enhance school librarians' abilities to use electronic resources.
  
• The training to be provided during this initiative will enhance and encourage collaboration.

4. Encouraging libraries in different areas and encouraging different types of libraries to establish consortia and share resources.

• Collaboration within school buildings and with other types of libraries is a critical component of the training.
  
• Collaboration among librarians of all types has a very strong potential for resource sharing, from modest and informal to more established arrangements for sharing.
  

5. Paying costs for libraries to acquire or share computer systems and telecommunications technologies.

• not applicable
  

6. Targeting library and information services to persons having difficulty using a library and to underserved urban and rural communities, including children (from birth through age 17) from families with incomes below the poverty line.

• While the K-12 School Library Initiative 2001 does not target low income families, certainly the children of these families along with their classmates will be affected by improvements in teaching through collaboration, better instruction in information literacy, and more effective use of the Statewide Database License resources. People having difficulty using a library and people in underserved urban and rural communities will be positively impacted when their local school and community librarians collaborate to provide library service.
  
• This initiative will improve access to training opportunities for school librarians in rural and remote communities where opportunities for professional development are limited.
  

CLIENTS SERVED

The primary audience is K-12 library staff. There are 296 school districts in the state, most of which have staff that support libraries in the district. There are also over 2,000 public and private K-12 school librarians in Washington. All these people would be eligible to participate in the training provided through this initiative. No LSTA grant has ever targeted this audience.

The secondary audience is classroom teachers, school administrators, and potential partners from other types of libraries. And indirectly, Washington's one million students, kindergarten through 12th grade, stand to benefit when school librarians' skills and knowledge are improved.

In April 2000 a K-12 Library Summit, funded with LSTA money, was held to identify problems facing school libraries and to recommend actions to improve school libraries. This initiative is the direct outcome of the work of that Summit and about a dozen meetings held afterwards to develop an LSTA proposal that would build on progress made at the Summit.

BENEFITS/IMPACT STATEMENT

Goal 1: Collect, develop, and disseminate curriculum models that connect national Information Power standards with Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements.

Benefits / Impact Statement: This initiative will provide school librarians with curriculum models that integrate Information Power standards with Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements. These models will be accessible to the 296 school districts and their library staff, as well as to all school librarians in the state. It is particularly difficult for staff in rural schools to develop such models so this will provide a valuable resource for these communities.

Goal 2: Provide training and partnership opportunities to improve collaboration among school librarians classroom teachers, administrators, and community library staff.

Benefits / Impact Statement: This initiative will give school librarians means with which to build collaborative partnerships with classroom teachers, administrators, and community library staff. Research findings in Alaska, Colorado, and Pennsylvania established that there is a strong correlation between student achievement and a strong school library program. The Alaska study found that schools with a cooperative relationship with public libraries had higher standardized test scores than schools that did not.

Goal 3: Teach and integrate information resources including online databases provided through the Statewide Database Licensing federal project.

Benefits / Impact Statement: This initiative will increase school librarians' skills in using online resources. They will be effective in providing in-service and instruction to staff and students to help them utilize licensed databases and other learning resources. According to extensive library research, this will benefit all Washington students regardless of economic differences between schools and communities.

Goal 4: Provide leadership and advocacy training for school librarians.

Benefits / Impact Statement: This initiative will provide leadership advocacy training for school librarians. According to extensive library research, when school librarians are effective partners in developing the overall school curriculum - and in the climate of the school in general - student achievement is enhanced.

Goal 5: Develop and implement evaluation tools that measure the impact of better-trained librarians on student achievement.

Benefits / Impact Statement: This initiative will provide the tools and systems to collect and use data related to school library programs. The information collected sets the foundation for program advocacy and provides a focus for goal-setting and decision-making at building, district, community and state levels.

ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

The initiative will consist of a planning phase in which the curriculum models and training modules will be developed, and then an implementation phase in which curriculum models will be disseminated and school librarians will attend training sessions. In the first year of the initiative the intention is to train 500 school librarians.

In years two and three, at least the same number are expected to be trained, perhaps higher based on evaluation of the first year. Basic accountability measures will include information on the number of people who complete the training, their assessment of the effectiveness of the training, and the number of visits to the web page. See Question 13, Project Evaluation, for a description of the overall evaluation process.

SCOPE OF WORK

• Hire (or appoint from WSL staff) a Project Manager
  
• Form an Advisory Committee
  
• Review data collected from school library survey in Spring 2001; use findings to guide training
  
• Develop and maintain a web page
  
• Contract with a person or group to develop curriculum models for school librarians
  
• Coordinate with vendors to take advantage of free training in information resource products such as statewide databases
  
• Finalize training plan (number and length of sessions, locations of sites throughout state, etc.)
  
• Publicize training, enroll students
  
• Offer training sessions in Summer 2002
  
• Collect assessment data, analyze it to help modify sessions for Year 2
  
• Throughout the year, participate in all major educational conferences in the state (e.g., Washington Association of School Directors)
  
• Develop and implement evaluation tools to measure the impact of better-trained librarians on student achievement.
  

BUDGET

Total $210,000

This project is proposed to continue for three years. The first year would combine planning, disseminating information, and delivering training. The second and third years would combine refinement of the training package, based on feedback from the previous sessions, and the continuation of the training program. The third year would include an evaluation component designed to measure the librarians' implementation of curriculum models and training components.

The first year's budget of $210,000 covers planning costs plus costs to develop curriculum, establish a web site, and pay for training sessions. The second and third years' budgets are expected to be closer to $100,000 depending on how the first round of training is evaluated by participants.

SUSTAINABILITY

The training will have been devised, the web site will be built and functional, and curriculum models will have been developed. WLMA and OSPI and the State Library will have these tools to use in their continued support of school librarians. As an example, WLMA could decide to re-run part of the training session as a preconference, or one of the ESDs could apply to the State Library for a CE grant to offer the training to a group of its school librarians. OSPI will maintain curriculum models on their WAVES site. This is a virtual location that teachers across the state can access to find curriculum models integrating information standards and the state's Essential Academic Learning Requirements.

RISK

The types of risks that we project are as follows:

Staff: In our budget proposal we have determined that a half-time person would be needed as project manager. Without this position the initiative would not meet with success.

Timing: The timeframe to hire contractors to develop curriculum models will be very tight. The Advisory Committee and WSL staff liaison will need to do advance work before the funds are available so that anyone who will be paid for their time can begin work in January 2002.

Advisory Committee: Committee members must maintain a high commitment to this project during 2001 in order for pieces to be in place when funds are available in January 2002. Additionally, the organizational partners (OSPI, WLMA, WSL) must continue to make support of this committee a priority.

Political Risks: There are risks if this project does not occur. Since the April 2000 Summit, expectations are high in the K-12 community that some actions will occur. This initiative supports the goals and priorities of the Summit.

TIMELINE

Pre-January 2002

• Advisory Committee established following K-12 Library Summit continues to meet
  
• school library survey is conducted under auspices of OSPI and State Library
  
• data is analyzed by Advisory Committee to help shape training expectations
  
• project liaison is identified from WSL staff

January 2002 - April 2002

• project manager hired or assigned
  
• Advisory Committee makes final decision on components of training
  
• consultants hired to develop curriculum models
  
• web page designed, content is created by consultants, committee and project manager
  
• accountability measures devised
  
• trainers hired, training modules developed
  
• project manager handles logistics of training sites (room reservations, meals, AV, etc.)
  
• registration information distributed to school libraries

May - August 2002

• registration process
  
• training sessions offered during summer months
  
• collect accountability data from training sessions

September - December 2002

• Advisory Committee, project manager evaluate success of first round of training, make adjustments as needed

Yearlong - 2002

• Advisory Committee meets (anticipated 8 meetings in first year)
  
• Project manager, Advisory Committee exhibit or present at major educational conferences (e.g., Washington Association of School Administrators)
  
• project reports provided to State Library, Library Council and school librarians
  
• informational data is gathered and summarized to direct all trainings and curriculum development

Year Two
January - April 2003

• trainers will modify materials or methodology for future trainings
  
• handle logistics for summer's training sessions
  
• send out publicity

May - August 2003

• registrations for training sessions
  
• conduct training
  
• collect data

September - December 2003

• Advisory Committee, project manager evaluate success of second round of training, make adjustments as needed
  
• Hire independent evaluator, prepare for evaluation process to occur in spring and fall 2004

Year Three
January - April 2004

• trainers will modify materials or methodology for future trainings
  
• handle logistics for summer's training sessions
  
• send out publicity
  
• begin project evaluation

May - August 2004

• registrations for training sessions
  
• conduct training
  
• collect data

September - December 2004

• Complete evaluation process
  
• Issue project report
  

PROJECT EVALUATION

An external evaluation consultant will evaluate the initiative. While a subcontractor has not yet been discussed, the following parameters have been established:

• Descriptive, statistical and anecdotal information and data will be collected to document the baseline on each one of the five goals listed in this initiative
  
• Formative and summative data collection will be initiated
  
• The evaluator will report on the degree to which each of the measurable goals has been met or not met
  
• Data will be collected on participating school librarians
  
• Data on changes in school librarian instruction and curriculum will be analyzed
  
• Librarians receiving training will be surveyed or interviewed for their views on the effectiveness of the initiative
  
• A final report will be prepared summarizing results

Evaluation activities will be both formative and summative in nature and will be ongoing through each of the years of implementation. The focus of the evaluation will be the progress made on the goals listed earlier in this application.

SPONSOR GROUP

This is the first major cooperative effort to support K-12 librarians. This initiative represents the work of a committee of school librarians, public librarians, Educational Service District representatives and university educators. The Committee has been co-chaired by staff from OSPI and the State Library. The committee has been meeting for nearly a year to follow up on ideas that emerged from the K-12 Library Summit in April 2000.

This initiative is endorsed by the Washington Library Media Association and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Library Council representative to this effort is Nancy Graf. Jeanne Crisp and Martha Shinners are State Library staff who have served as a liaison with this group, and Gayle Pauley has represented OSPI.

Washington Preservation Initiative

DESCRIPTION

The Washington Preservation Initiative will assist libraries of all types and sizes in preserving collections of materials with significant historical or cultural value thus assuring long-term access to these collections. The Initiative will include a needs assessment survey, workshops, a reference/technical assistance service, and a grant program.

GOALS

The goal of Washington Preservation Initiative is to help assure the preservation of Washington's cultural heritage by preserving significant library collections in all formats in a manner consistent with current preservation standards. The Initiative will help secure long term access to these collections for all citizens of Washington and will contribute to a long range preservation plan for Washington and the Pacific Northwest. The Initiative will help library staff members develop preservation expertise, will provide leadership for regional preservation planning, and will encourage collaboration among the state's libraries, archives, and museums.

STATEMENT OF NEED

At a time when we face the challenge of archiving content that is born digitally we also face the necessity of preserving deteriorating materials in other formats. The latter include acidic paper collections, photographs that are chemically unstable, video and electronic media that must be accessed with obsolescent hardware and/or software, and fading microforms. All of these formats are threatened by deterioration due to the chemical nature of the materials and the environmental conditions under which they are stored. At risk are the state's heritage, and the resources upon which our citizens depend for their education, their scholarly research, and their personal growth.

Many of our state's libraries lack the expertise and resources to develop collections care programs, to reformat endangered collections, and to respond to disasters that threaten the very existence of their collections. As the state's only full-time preservation administrator I regularly receive queries from libraries and individuals regarding the preservation of their collections. Recently, for example, a teacher and students from Lake Stevens High School came to my office to discuss the preservation of their school newspaper. They wanted to know what steps they should they take to preserve this valuable documentation of their school's history and how they could obtain funding to undertake its preservation. The need for preservation expertise and skills is especially critical in our smaller libraries and collections. All libraries, big and small, have unique materials that are important to preserve and make accessible.

Unlike many other states, Washington has not developed a statewide preservation plan or program, conducted a preservation needs assessment survey, or developed a state library preservation grant program. The New York State Library
(http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/cp/), the New Jersey State Library
(http://sussex.njstatelib.org/njlib/mp00awrd.htm), and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
(http://www.mlin.lib.ma.us/mblc/ldev/preservation_index.shtml) are among the states that have implemented preservation grant programs. Grants, for example, can enable a school library to preserve the school's newspaper, a public library to fund the preservation of a collection of nitrate photographic negatives, and an academic library to preserve an important book collection or re-house a manuscripts collection in acid-free materials.

A meeting in September at the University of Washington addressed regional preservation needs. (http://www.lib.washington.edu/Preservation/swimmingupstream.html)
A new PRESERVENW listserv recently established at the University of Washington Libraries (http://www.lib.washington.edu/Preservation/preservenw.html) provides a forum for discussion of preservation issues. The Pacific Northwest Preservation Alliance, formed after the September meeting, will focus on regional preservation needs and activities.

The Washington Preservation Initiative will assess the state's preservation needs, develop preservation expertise within the state, and help libraries address some of their most pressing preservation concerns.

RELATIONSHIP TO LSTA

This proposal relates to LSTA Priority 4 "encouraging libraries in different areas and encouraging different types of libraries to establish consortia and share resources" and to expanding access electronically to library resources. (Priorities 1-3)

• To share resources, those resources must be preserved. Preserving collections is an essential first step in enabling libraries to loan or electronically share their unique and diverse resources.
• As stated in the Digital Images Initiative Phase 3 goals, "digitization can create more, rather than less, demand to use the original documents" thus increasing the need to preserve those documents.
• Preservation of materials in electronic formats and archiving materials born digitally is an increasing concern.
• A survey is a first step in identifying areas of need that would benefit from cooperative activities and may lead to consortial activities that build on the base established by the recently formed Pacific Northwest Preservation Alliance. (http://www.lib.washington.edu/Preservation/presalliance.html)

The Preservation Initiative can also assist underserved communities by helping them preserve their cultural heritage. (LSTA Priority 6)

This proposal relates to the statewide plan's goals to "improve their customers' access to library service and resources" and the Library Council of Washington's criteria to "promote access to libraries" and to "encourage collaboration among libraries, across levels, and/or with other agencies and organizations." Preservation was cited as a concern at state plan forums.

CLIENTS SERVED

This program will serve libraries of all types and sizes in Washington and the clientele of those libraries by contributing to the preservation of their collections. Other Washington LSTA grants have not addressed the preservation needs of Washington's libraries.

BENEFITS/IMPACT STATEMENT

Preservation focuses on activities that contribute to extending the useful life of information in whatever format is required. A survey will provide an assessment of conservation and training needs and identify areas of potential cooperation. Workshops will help to develop expertise in library staffs. Preservation grants will have a significant impact in preserving the heritage of the diverse communities of our state. Grants to preserve important materials will, as New York State Librarian Janet M. Welch said in 1999 in announcing New York State Library preservation grants, "…open windows to our past by helping to conserve important materials that would otherwise be lost to researchers." Preservation grants will enable libraries to preserve significant resources and share them with researchers and libraries beyond their immediate clientele. In addition, the Preservation Initiative will contribute to the development of statewide and regional plans and collaborative efforts.

ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

Project success will be measured by the number of staff trained in workshops and the resulting increased expertise, by the expansion of preservation activities in states libraries, and greater cooperation among those libraries. Ultimately, success will be measured by how well collections are preserved for long-term access.

SCOPE OF WORK

• Appoint a steering committee.
  
• Hire a Preservation Staff Assistant (UW Libraries Preservation Office).
  
• Contract for a statewide preservation needs assessment to include designing mail and telephone surveys and implementing and analyzing the results.
  
• Contribute to planning the OLA/WLA 2002 Joint Conference program/pre-conference workshop on preservation that will address basic issues.
  
• Provide preservation reference/technical assistance for library staff members.
  
• Contract with Regional Alliance for Preservation (http://www.rap-arcc.org/) members to replicate five successful preservation workshops in Washington. Examples of possible workshops are basic book and paper repair, emergency preparedness and recovery, photographic preservation, environmental control and monitoring, integrated pest management, preservation of audio visual collections or electronic media, and reformatting (film/scan).
  
• Develop guidelines and implement the preservation grant program.
  
• Coordinate activities with the Pacific Northwest Preservation Alliance.
  

BUDGET

Year 1 (2001-2002): $ 51,047
Year 2 (2002-2203): $236,214

Budget Notes:

1. Employee costs: Staff Assistants are UW School of Information graduate students. They work half time. We pay their tuition plus a stipend and fringe benefits. The SA will handle workshop registrations and local arrangements, provide preservation reference assistance for staff of the state's libraries, help with workshop evaluations, and provide other support for the Initiative. Salaries and benefits are estimates since stipends and tuition have not been set for the next two years. Costs are based on Winter through Summer Quarter employment since federal funded is unlikely to be available in the Fall quarter. Because of the gap in funding an SA would need to be hired/rehired for the second year of the project. UW Libraries will support the time of their Preservation Administrator to coordinate the Initiative and provide office support for the project.

2. Contracts: Contractor for the preservation needs assessment survey would design the survey, identify the mailing list, mail the survey, follow up with non-respondents, analyze the results, and develop a report with recommendations.

Workshops are budgeted based on scheduling at the University of Washington Libraries as a central location in space provided by the Libraries. If scheduled at another site, additional funding might be needed for space rental and travel/Per Diem for the SA. Budgeting is for unique workshops. If we wanted to repeat a popular workshop in another part of the state, additional funding will be needed. Two unique workshops are scheduled for the first year and three for the second year.

OLA/WLA 2002 Joint Conference program/pre-conference workshop on preservation will provide some basic background on preservation in a digital age. The budgeted $2,000 will go towards speaker expenses.

3. Travel Costs: Travel costs are projected expenses for the Preservation SA to go to the OLA/WLA Joint Conference in Portland to provide support for the preservation program. The cost is based on Washington state contract airfare/two days Per Diem plus 10% and transportation to and from the airports. Steering committee travel is also included in the budget.

SUSTAINABILITY

• The steering committee will develop an ongoing organizational structure in concert with the Pacific Northwest Preservation Alliance. (http://www.lib.washington.edu/Preservation/presalliance.html)
  
• The needs assessment survey will contribute to planning ongoing activities.
  
• Workshops will build support for preservation training creating a demand for cost-recovery workshops.
  
• The project will build support for preservation activities in the state's libraries.
  
• Awareness of preservation grant funding opportunities will increase.
  

RISK

The major risk if the project is not funded is the lost of access to significant collections due to the lack of funding/expertise. If funded, the risk is that the project will create expectations that ongoing library funding cannot meet.

TIMELINE

Year 1: October 1, 2001-September 30, 2002

• Appoint Steering Committee
  
• Hire a Preservation Staff Assistant
  
• Offer reference/technical assistance services
  
• Contract for the needs assessment survey
  
• Contribute to the planning for the OLA/WLA program
  
• Contract for and hold two workshops
  
• Develop grant guidelines

Year 2: October 1, 2002-September 30, 2003

• Hire a Preservation Staff Assistant
  
• offer preservation/technical assistance
  
• Contract for and hold three workshops
  
• Implement State Library administered grant program

The workshops and grant program might be extended for a third year if funding is available. Due to the availability of federal funding, funded activities will not begin before December of each year.

PROJECT EVALUATION

Preservation assessment tools used elsewhere will provide a framework for evaluating the survey developed by the consultant. Workshops will be selected based on interests expressed in the survey and their success in other parts of the country. Workshop participants will do written evaluations. Follow-up evaluation will be done based on the SOLINET Preservation Services evaluation program. Libraries receiving grants will be required to submit an evaluative final report. The steering committee will promote the program at professional meetings, on PRESERVENW listserv, etc., and will submit a final report on the project that will include recommendations for a statewide plan and collaborations.

SPONSOR GROUP

Submitted by the University of Washington Libraries:
Gary L. Menges, Preservation Administrator, Joyce L. Ogburn, Associate
Director of the Libraries, and Betsy Wilson, Director of University Libraries
Supported by: Seattle Public Library: Deborah Jacobs, Director, and Lois Fenker, Associate Director.
Seattle University Library: John Popko, University Librarian
Washington State University Libraries: Mary Doyle, Interim Director, Laila Miletic-Vejzovic, Head, Manuscripts, Archives, & Special Collections
Library Council of Washington: Carol Cahill

Library Information Technology Working Group (LITWG)

DESCRIPTION

Description: The increased demand for information technology resources in Washington libraries, as well as the rapidly changing information technology environment, has created several conflicting issues within Washington libraries. In 1999, the Washington State Library Council appropriated funding for the formation of the Library Information Technology Working Group (LITWG). The LITWG is composed of 12 members from libraries of varying sizes and locations thorough the state. The members are information technology professionals from small, medium, large, public, academic, and special libraries in Washington state. Two members are the information technology representatives from the Library Council of Washington. The purpose of the LITWG is to assist WSL in the identification of information technology issues and the development of possible solutions to assist libraries in the state.

The LITWG meets on a quarterly basis and works with WSL and LCW to identify possible LSTA grant areas and emerging issues and technology that may need watching. LSTA funds are used to pay travel expenses for LITWG members. This encourages participation from eastern Washington and rural libraries and helps ensure a good representation on the LITWG.

This grant funding was continued in 2000 by recommendation of the eh Library Council of Washington (LCW) and expanded to include:

1. Presentation of various workshops on information technology issues throughout the state. WSL in cooperation with LITWG present scheduled workshops on various topics across the state. Over the past two years, WSL has presented workshops in Tacoma, Vancouver, Tri-Cities, Yakima, and Spokane. The topics have been Connectivity, Network Security, Web Technologies, Web Rapid Application Development, and Intranet Technology. Last year's total attendance was 375 people. LSTA funding was used to rent facilities and pay travel for presenters.
2. Funding to off set travel expenses for various sub groups of the LITWG, these include but are not limited to the Washington Library K-20 Technical Working Group to assist WSL in planning for connecting Public Library Systems to the K-20 Educational Network.

GOALS

• Assist WSL in setting priorities for use of limited LSTA resources
  
• Assist the LCW in identifying technology needs for possible LSTA funding
  
• Assist the Washington library community in identifying IT issues and possible solutions
  
• Assist WSL in sponsoring and developing IT Workshops
  
• Ensure a diverse membership in LITWG by providing assistance with travel funding
  

STATEMENT OF NEED

Response to technology needs continue to plague Washington libraries. The LITWG has been instrumental in assisting WSL in setting priorities and working toward solutions on many of these issues. The IT Workshops and other sponsored activities of the LITWG have be instrumental in increasing the overall IT literacy of Washington library staff.

RELATIONSHIP TO LSTA

The LITWG plays a role in the accomplishment of all 6 LSTA priorities.

CLIENTS SERVED

Washington libraries

BENEFITS/IMPACT STATEMENT

Without the participation of LITWG, the effort to resolve IT issues, set standards, and accomplish agreed upon goals would be severely hampered. The unity of effort witnessed over the past two years would start to diminish and it would be difficult to reestablish.

ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

WSL staff report quarterly on the LSTA budget activities. In addition, budget status and expenditures will be reported to the LITWG and can be reported to the LCW.

SCOPE OF WORK

• Maintain budget spreadsheet
  
• Report to WSL Assistant Director for Support Services
  
• Report of LITWG
  

BUDGET

TOTAL: $10,000

SUSTAINABILITY

This is a one year request, further request will only be warranted if LITWG continues to be a viable and valuable service.

RISK

The risk level is low. The major risk is the money will not be used, but then can be diverted to other projects in accordance with Washington State Library Commission (WSLC) policy.

TIMELINE

• This project will fund travel for LITWG members to attend four quarterly meetings in various Washington locations.
  
• It will also fund travel for K-20 Technical Workgroups members on a quarterly basis
  
• It will also fund light meals and refreshments for IT Workshops provided at least 4 times a year in various locations throughout Washington.
  

PROJECT EVALUATION

Evaluation will be based on the viability of LITWG, the continued participation of members and a determination by WSL and LCW that the group is providing important assistance. Tools for measurement will be attendance at LITWG and K-20 meetings, as well as attendance at IT Workshops.

SPONSOR GROUP

Sharon Winters, Pierce County Library, Library Council of Washington, [email protected]
Tom Martin, Washington State Library, [email protected]
Contact Name: Tom Martin
Library: Washington State Library
Address: PO Box 42460, Olympia, WA 98504
Phone Number: 360-704-7149
Fax Number: 360-586-7575
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
Proposal Title: Funding Support for LITWG

Continuing Education

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The C.E Grant Program would continue to provide eligible individuals or organizations funding to either attend or provide learning opportunities. The funding would be on a 25% matching basis (applicant would pay $25%, WSL would fund 75%) and would be paid as a reimbursement of total costs incurred. The maximum allowed for individuals would be $1,000.00 and for organizations $1,500.00. The event to be funded must fit the priorities of the LSTA legislation.

GOAL

The Continuing Education Grant Program assists individuals and organizations to attend or provide training and development events and, as a result, to improve the skills and abilities of the library community in Washington State.

STATEMENT OF NEED

The rapid pace of change taking place in libraries within the last ten years has heightened the need for increased access to lifelong learning for library staff throughout the nation. Libraries in the state of Washington rarely have enough local funds to assure that staff and trustees can attend all the training events that are needed to either maintain or improve performance. Although several of the larger libraries in the state are hiring in-house training and development personnel, few libraries in the state have the resources to be able to provide all the needed in-house C.E without financial assistance.

RELATIONSHIP TO LSTA

This project has the potential to fit all priorities of LSTA. Further, from Designing our Future - "technology and communication goals and principles of lifelong and independent learning"

CLIENTS SERVED

Anyone who works in a LSTA-eligible library in Washington State for ten or more hours or who is a trustee or friend of a library has the potential of being affected.

BENEFITS/IMPACT STATEMENT

This Project can assist in increasing the level of performance of all people who work in libraries in the State.

ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

- Annual report to Commission and Library Council
- Forward of narrative evaluations to members of Commission and Library Council.

SCOPE OF WORK

- Market and provide information about CE program
- Administer grant program
- Provide reports and updates regarding CE program to Washington State Library Commission, Library Council of Washington, and others.

BUDGET

Grants $60,000

SUSTAINABILITY

The program cannot be sustained without grant funds.

RISK

The project would not be successful if people either didn't know about the opportunity, didn't care about their own development, or were not able to achieve the matching requirement.

TIMELINE

CE applications will be awarded funding through September 30, 2002 or until funding is exhausted.

PROJECT EVALUATION

The project currently attracts on an average of 7 grant applications per month. Maintenance of this level of interest or an increase will indicate that the project is continuing to have a positive response.

SPONSOR GROUP

Staff - Mary Y. Moore, Library Training and Development Specialist
Jeff Martin, Grants Coordinator
Council representative- Sharon Winters