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At the State Library Board Meeting held on July 23, 2001, the following grant applications were approved for funding. Program Grants Awarded Long Range Planning Outreach Programs for Children Outreach Programs for Non-English Speaking Populations Outreach Programs for Older Adults Technology Grants Awarded Resource Sharing Children in Poverty Project Abstract: In collaboration with the City of Danbury's Housing Authority and Drug Elimination Department, The Junior
Services Department of The Danbury Library will provide monthly, on-site library story time programs to preschool aged children.
The Library will also provide community experts to address family literacy programs on How to use Bilingual Books to Read
to your Child, How to Raise a Reader, How to Incorporate Books, Music and Puppetry in Your Story times, How to Conduct a Lap
Sit Story Time with Your Baby, and How to Do Story Hour for your Special Needs Child. Story times and literacy development
programs will be provided to the preschool aged children and to the parents/caregivers who are current residents of the City
of Danbury's three (3) federally funded Housing Authority complexes. Programs and services are designed to encourage a love
of reading for the preschool aged children in these families, and to provide parents and caregivers with valuable information
regarding available library services, in developing literacy skills, and in encouraging reading readiness skills.
Project Abstract: The New Britain Public Library recognizes that the achievement of reading success is directly related to
the maximum exposure to books and other literacy experiences that are available to children. The Library is equally cognizant
that fully one quarter of New Britain's children is living at or below the poverty level, and that literacy opportunities
are not equally afforded to them. Therefore, the Library proposes to join in a collaborative project with Smalley Academy,
the local public school with the greatest number of students living in poverty, to provide greater access for these children
and their parents/ caregivers to the library's materials and services.
Long Range Planning Project Abstract: The Portland Library will develop a long range plan based on Sandra Nelson's The New Planning for Results;
A Streamlined Approach. A planning consultant will work with the library director, library board, staff and community representatives
to develop a plan that will address the future library service needs of the community. The plan will also cover what must
be done so that the library building (now 20 years old and designed to serve the community for 25 years) will be adequate
to continue to serve the community well in the future.
Project Abstract: The purpose of this project is to develop a Long Range Plan and a Technology Plan for the Sprague Public
Library. These plans will be developed with the assistance of a professional library consultant with expertise in this area.
These plans are necessary not only to focus the development of the library, but also to begin the process of seeking a construction
grant. The Sprague Public Library is housed in a historic town building that has not been properly maintained for many years.
This building is inadequate for the expansion and preservation of the Library's collection, thus making it difficult for the
Library to fulfill its mission. The mission of the Sprague Library is to provide books and other media sources, facilities,
and professional services to inform, teach, and give cultural enrichment to the community. The Library plans to better accomplish
this mission by creating wonderful facilities by employing the methods outlined in the manual Planning for Results.
Project Abstract: The Westbrook Public Library will complete a planning process that will identify and survey user and non-user
groups in town to determine their information and library service needs, evaluate the Library's facility to determine renovation
and expansion needs, and develop a plan to use information and communication technology in a cost-effective way. The process
will culminate in the publication of a long-range plan that will guide the Library and will help to secure a State Library
Construction Grant.
Project Abstract: The Windsor Public Library will complete a long-range plan utilizing the Public Library Association's The New Planning for Results planning model. An outside consultant will facilitate the planning process. The planning team will consist of key library
staff and Library Advisory Board members. Input from the public will be solicited through a touch screen survey, customer
feedback forms and focus groups. All library staff will be asked for input during various parts of the process. The planning
process is, in part, in preparation for a building renovation and expansion now scheduled for 2004. The Library also anticipates
that the process will help to clarify their mission and services so that they can allocate funding effectively in the future.
Outreach Programs for Children Project Abstract: The New Britain Public Library recognizes that early reading success is directly related to maximum exposure
to books and read-aloud experiences provided for preschool children. Statistics clearly demonstrate that preschool children
in New Britain do not have sufficient opportunities for these emergent literacy activities. Therefore, the Library proposes
to partner with three agencies in New Britain which serve preschool children to provide increased opportunities for these
children and their families to become more aware of, and more frequent users of, the materials and services available at the
Library, and to provide significantly more emergent literacy activities at these outreach sites.
Project Abstract: This program is designed to increase the science literacy skills of preschool students in one of the most
impoverished rural towns in Connecticut. The Aldrich Free Public Library proposes to implement a literacy program called Mother Goose Asks Why. The program uses science activity kits developed by Vermont Center for the Book and National Science Foundation to introduce
science to preschoolers. Using these kits, the Library will reach out to Head Start, local day care centers, the school readiness
program, and play groups meeting at the Plainfield Family Resource Center. The librarian will train the adult/parent caregivers
on how to use the preschool science materials and books. Included in the services will be two follow-up visits on site. The
grant will also purchase additional books to use with the science literacy project for both adults and children. Although
the main focus of this grant is to pair up the local librarian with adult caregivers and the children attending the above
groups, it will also offer the opportunity to highlight the value of the local library. The Library will issue library cards
at the provider sites for individual children, adults, and the daycare centers. This grant will link the Library with individuals
in a section of the community that need the materials and expertise of a librarian but have been unable to visit the library
on a regular basis.
Outreach Programs for Non-English Speaking Populations Project Abstract: The Library, while not a teaching agency, is looked to for leadership in providing resources and training
to support existing ESL efforts in the community. Yet, it is impossible for Library staff as it is currently configured to
keep up with the increased demand from service providers for training on the various software programs and additional print
and non-print resources to give support for the teaching and learning activities of ESL, teachers, mentors and students. This
project would allow the Library to "hire" a qualified individual to: 1) Develop a teaching curricula for training library
staff, ESL teachers, and mentors to use Library software in English Learning Center. 2) Compile a list of services an programs
available to the ESL community resulting in a brochure and central clearing house web page and 3) Increase Library holdings
of print and non-print materials for ESL learners and print and non-print materials in languages other than English. Within
the one-year time frame of the grant the most pressing needs for collection development, information gathering and training
can take place.
Project Abstract: In 1987, the Derby Public Library received an LSTA grant to establish a "New Reader" collection in collaboration
with the area's Adult Learning Center. Funding from the grant enabled the Library to provide a resource collection for non-English
speaking patrons. In the last ten years usage of the collection has been significant among literacy tutors and students as
well as the general non-English speaking population. However, the collection is now almost fifteen years old and needs to
be updated due to changing demographics and socioeconomic factors.
Project Abstract: Hartford Public Library's The American Place (TAP) is a prototype program for Hartford's ethnically diverse and immigrant populations. Since its inception in April 2001, TAP
has formed a series of dynamic partnerships with adult education providers of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
and other agencies providing services to non-English speaking populations. The current proposal to create a Language Resource
Center (LRC) seeks to expand these collaborations by linking services between the Library and ESOL providers. The LRC will
strengthen the Library's current ESOL resources and provide much needed materials and Professional Development workshops to
instructors, volunteer tutors, and their students. The LRC, by merit of its future location (a well-defined area within the
main branch of Hartford Public Library,) will also encourage students to understand and use the full range of library resources
in pursuit of educational and other needs, both for themselves and for their families.
Project Abstract: Making Language Work, a summer enrichment program to be run by the New Britain Public Library for bi-lingual students in grades 6 - 12, will prepare
students for getting a job and for managing their time at work and at school, by improving language skills and vocabulary,
learning to keyboard, and by broadening their understanding of other cultures. The goal will be to involve students in a "fun"
learning situation that will give them skills to make their school and daily lives more manageable and more meaningful.
Project Abstract: The Silas Bronson Library will offer a series of computer workshops to Spanish speaking residents in order
to familiarize them with the services of the Library. The staff will collaborate with local Hispanic organizations to help
with publicity, registration, and transportation. The centerpiece of the project will be a series of 6 hour-long classes on
computer basics, word-processing, the Internet (including Hispanic resources already identified by the staff), the Spanish
version of the online catalog, and Inform. The final class will include a tour of the Library as well as library card signup.
Another part of the project will be to revise and reprint the Spanish version of the Library's welcome brochure that was published
3 years ago and is now outdated. The Library currently has a core collection of books in Spanish, many of which were purchased
through an LSTA grant received in 1999. Due to budget cuts, the Library has not been able to purchase the number of Spanish
books needed to serve the 23,354 Hispanics in Waterbury. Therefore, a portion of the grant will be allocated to double the
collection. The Library is in the process of developing a federally funded information technology center. The training series
will become the prototype for ongoing computer instruction the Library's Hispanic patrons.
Outreach Programs for Older Adults Project Abstract: The Granby Public Library Senior Outreach Program will establish small collections of library materials
at each of four town facilities where seniors live or meet. The Library will purchase 400 items in a variety of formats, which
will be delivered monthly to each site at the rate of 40-60 items each delivery. Book talks, discussions, or programs will
be offered to create a social environment and opportunities for interaction between seniors and staff.
Project Abstract: The Norfolk Library is interested in initiating a Books, Tapes, and Videos by Mail program for the estimated 67 older adults who live in remote and sometimes inaccessible areas of the 46.7 square miles that
encompass the town of Norfolk. Winters are harsh in this region, known as "The Icebox of Connecticut." Many residents are
homebound for months without available cultural enrichment beyond the television set. The Library would like to reach out
to these people by providing books, audio books, and videos by mail to make their lives more pleasurable. If there are people
who are homebound but not in the rural areas, volunteers will be recruited to deliver requests. The Library also will be working
with Meadow Brook Senior Housing to establish a small collection of large print books (approximately 100) for the residents
at the facility.
Adaptive Technology Project Abstract: Funding is being requested to purchase a portable magnifying device to be used by library patrons with low
vision. The Liberty Plus Print Magnifier can be used to view books, magazines, newspapers, or graphics and can provide magnification
up to 68 times. This is the only equipment needed to enable patrons with low vision to view any type of print material and
not be restricted to books available in large print format. The equipment is easy to set up and simple to use by adults or
children. The services of Cragin Memorial Library regularly extend to patrons from the towns of Bozrah, East Haddam, East
Hampton, Hebron, Lebanon, Marlborough, and Salem. Patrons from these towns do not have access to a magnifier in their town's
libraries. This device could be available to them with funding from LSTA. The greater Colchester area has a population of
over 58,000, with nearly 11,000 over the age of 65.
Project Abstract: The East Hartford Public Library System consists of four libraries with a total collection of approximately
200,000 books, and more than 10,000 CD's, CD-ROM's, audiocassettes, and videos. The libraries are all accessible to the physically
challenged. They currently have no assistive technology reading devices, nor do they provide phone service for the deaf and/or
hearing impaired. The purpose of this grant request is to provide at least adequate service to the blind and/or hearing impaired
in all four libraries. The Library System would like to purchase four Smartview TX Reader and four (4) TDD/TTY Phones. The
Library will seek advice from a consultant as to which particular unit would be best.
Project Abstract: The Hagaman Memorial Library will create a central point within the library to aide low vision users in
accessing both print and electronic resources. It is the Library's plan to enable the accessibility options on one of current
PCs to make the Internet, subscription databases, and their online catalog accessible to patrons with low vision disabilities.
In addition, the Library will purchase, with the assistance of LSTA funds, a print enlarger (Aladdin Reader) that will magnify
newsprint up to two inches. This reader would enable patrons with low vision to access the same print sources, newspapers,
magazines, and personal material used by the general population rather than being confined to reading only materials published
in large print format. Because the Library does not currently own furnishings that are wheelchair compatible, they also propose
to purchase a 50 inch wide, double-faced, wheel-chair height computer carrel to hold both the adapted computer and the print
enlarger along with 4 low-backed chairs with 2" dual wheel casters to accommodate users without wheelchairs and their companions
of library staff who may need to assist the user in the operation of either the computer of the enlarger.
Project Abstract: This project entitled The Bridge will consist of an adaptive workstation in the Samuel Staples Elementary School Media Center that will provide benefits to
large portions of their special needs students. The Library will set up the adaptive workstation in a close but separate area
to meet the needs of students who have some visual impairment, physical handicap, and/or learning disabilities. The workstation
will have adapted furniture so that it will be accessible to the mobility impaired4, such as those in wheel chairs. It will
also be equipped with a touch screen monitor to increase expanded visibility for the visually impaired, a variety of software
to assist students with learning disabilities, a special alternative mouse to aid physically challenged students who would
have trouble with a standard mouse, and a variety of adaptive software that will assist in meeting the needs of the learning
disabled. All of these products will also improve service to the general school population by facilitating the different learning
styles of all students.
Project Abstract: Fairfield Public Library offers a variety of electronic, non-print materials, in the form of its computerized
card catalog and subscription databases. Currently, the Library does not offer any adaptive technology to make computer-based
resources available to patrons with poor vision or hearing disabilities. With this grant the Library will purchase computers
to access the Library's catalog, free databases, and numerous subscription databases. Computers will be installed on adjustable
height tables, making them available to individuals in wheelchairs. Large screen monitors will be used on both computers,
and keyboards with large print lettering will enable patrons to read the keys more easily. ZoomText Xtra software will be
installed to enlarge the visual display to meet each user's unique visual needs. This software program can also read selected
text out loud with audio output delivered through headphones. A second program, Window Eyes, will read all text on the screen
out loud and can be used with the computer monitor turned off. Headphones with adjustable volume will be purchased to assist
patrons with hearing impairments
Project Abstract: The Shelton Schools District's ADA plan states that disabled students have the right to educational opportunities
and benefits equal to those provided to their non-disabled peers. To assist the district in meeting this goal, the requested
funds will be used to create an inclusive environment for special needs students in the Mohegan School media center. The Library
has specifically targeted those children who have physical disabilities, learning disabilities, hearing impairments and speech
and language impairments. It is estimated that 70 special education students as well as other emergent readers in the building
will benefit from these materials and experiences. Dedicated computer, printer and scanner, and appropriate furniture will
accommodate the needs of our special students. Software that enables these students to access print through different media
will help them to feel part of the library experience.
Resource Sharing Resource Sharing Grants were awarded to automate the library's collection for the purpose making the library's collection
visible and accessible to every other library in the state. In order to be eligible for this grant, the applicant library
could have no automated circulation system. Grant funds were to be used to purchase computer equipment, software, and/or membership
fees to make a library's collection accessible for resource sharing. Membership fees could include the cost of joining reQuest
(including cataloging), a regional system (e.g. Bibliomation, LION, Connect, etc.), or OCLC/NELINET. Grant funds could not
be used for retrospective conversion or extraction of records (staffing or per record) from a bibliographic utility, although
these costs were allowed for the local cash match.
To qualify to receive a Resource Sharing Grant the applicant was required to agree to: |
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Documents
| FY01/02 LSTA Grants |
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