Long Range Planning
1. Applicant: E.C. Scranton Memorial Library
Municipality Madison
Funding: $ 10,000
Project Abstract:
The Scranton Library in Madison will develop a long-range plan, using the Public Library Association's New Planning for Results.
A qualified consultant will be hired to work with the library services that will match the Madison community's needs, interests,
and priorities. The planning process and resulting plan will identify technology needs, as well as building facility needs,
in preparation for a building expansion incorporating newly acquired adjacent property.
2. Applicant: Richmond Memorial Library
Municipality Marlborough
Funding: $10,000
Project Abstract:
The Richmond Memorial Library seeks a grant for creating a long-range plan modeled after the community based planning approach,
Planning for Results. Over the past decade there has been record-breaking growth in library use and demands upon the facility.
Too accommodate these demands, the Library is planning for expansion. Because of the increased activity in the library, record
setting circulation statistics, increased complexity of technology and all its implications, and costs associated with expanding,
the Library can no longer rely on a course plotted by volunteers only. The Library seeks financial assistance for professional
expertise in long range planning so that they can further enhance services to customers and improves the library program.
3. Applicant: Ridgefield Library and Historical Assn.
Municipality Ridgefield
Funding: $10,000
Project Abstract:
The Ridgefield Library and Historical Association will complete a long-range plan to guide its activities for the period 2003
through 2008. A consultant familiar with the Public Library Associations's New Planning for Results model will be hired and
will work with Library staff, Trustees, and members of the public to define a mission statement for the organization and identify
and prioritize Library services based on community need, best practices in the field, and other criteria. The consultant
will guide the group in developing a mission statement and a set of objectives, activities, timetables, and evaluation measures
to support defined service goals. Input from a variety of stakeholder groups will be solicited at each stage of the process.
As the Board of Trustees currently hopes to launch a building program and a capital campaign within the next one to two years,
particular attention will be given to the facilities. The resulting document will be shared with the community and will provide
a blueprint for Board and staff decision making in the next 5 years.
Outreach Programs for Children
1. Applicant: New Haven Free Public Library
Municipality New Haven
Funding: $ 11,640
Project Abstract:
Reading on the Road is designed to bring love of literature and learning to school readiness sites in New Haven. Because early
childhood experiences with literature and learning are long lasting, the Library proposes to partner with the city’s School
Readiness Council by bringing their bookmobile to each reading readiness site once a month. Reading on the Road will provide
read-aloud programs, songs, puppets, and crafts; the bookmobile will feature an abundance of children’s picture books and
folktales, along with caregiver, parenting, and teacher resources, all available for borrowing. Reading on the Road staff
will develop story time kits which will contain suggestions for programming and books to read aloud, and will also be available
for borrowing by the reading readiness caregivers. Opportunities for caregivers to access early childhood resource tools will
assure reading readiness programs that provide a quality learning experience. This partnership is designed to offer the children
of New Haven a better opportunity for success in their academic futures.
Outreach Programs for Non-English Speaking Populations
1. Applicant: Danbury Public Library
Municipality Danbury
Funding: $16,784
Project Abstract:
Over the past five years the Danbury Library has made library services to those learning English-as-a-Second Language (ESL)
a priority. This grant application builds on earlier successes, targeting a new group of ESL learners, employees of Danbury
area businesses, through the continued funding of our language coordinator. The Greater Danbury Area Chamber of Commerce
"Business Visitation and Expansion Survey" noted in it's summary of survey results, "Business leaders made it clear that expansion
here would be largely dependent on this regions continued ability to provide a literate labor force, skilled and unskilled,
imbued with a strong work ethic". Working in partnership with the Chamber, the Language Coordinator will contact interested
businesses and provide English language instruction to their employees using the Ellis English Language Learning and Instruction
System software. In addition, the 10-station computer lab will be open ten hours a week exclusively for individuals to practice
their English language skills and staffed with a bilingual instructor knowledgeable about the Ellis software. In summary
the two major objectives are: The establishment of an effective library-business partnership for the purpose of increasing
English language skills within the ESL workforce population and the opening of the Prazair lab for self-paced English language
learning and practice.
2. Applicant: Hartford Public Library
Municipality Hartford
Funding: $14,217
Project Abstract:
The Anytime, Anywhere, Learning to Write project will improve the writing skills of English for Speakers of Other Languages
(ESOL) students in Hartford Public Library's The American Place (TAP) program as well as those on programs of TAP partner
agencies. TAP is the Library’s information and resource center for immigrants, refugees, and other recent arrivals. In addition
to adult ESOL instruction, TAP provides citizenship preparation and life skills classes for student and professional development
workshops for service providers. Of the four skills - listening, reading, speaking, and writing - that the second language
student must acquire, writing is the most difficult to master. This project will employ AlphaSmart keyboards, portable writing
devices that can be used anytime and anywhere, for student to practice writing in English. Since the keyboards will circulate
as well as be used in classrooms, students will have additional opportunities to learn and practice their writing skills.
In addition to homework completion, students may use the keyboards for self-paced, individual study and practice where and
when it is best for them.
3. Applicant: Russell Library
Municipality Middletown
Funding: $17,550
Project Abstract:
This project will reach and draw into Russell Library adult immigrants in Middletown, primarily Spanish-speaking, who are
not currently using library resources and services. Library Guides, fluent in Spanish, will be hired to assist the current
staff in transitioning the new patrons to make effective use of the Library. The Library will purchase needed materials.
4. Applicant: Faxon Branch Library
Municipality West Hartford
Funding: $ 14,601
Project Abstract:
A multilingual, mixed-media cross-generational "Welcome Center" will provide a focal point for the Faxon Branch Library to
engage its increasingly diverse neighborhood in a range on on-site and community-based library experiences. After strengthening
preliminary partnerships with area cultural associations, identifying user/translators to facilitate participation, and developing
specific needs/desires of each group, a multi-faceted collection with a strong community-based programming component will
be developed to coincide with the top four non-English languages in the neighborhood (Vietnamese, Chinese, Spanish and Portuguese).
Prominently situated near the entryway, the area will feature: a small collection of materials in each language - including
books, videos newspapers, and magazines; ESOL materials including books, cassettes, citizenship preparation ; a basic collection
of materials for new readers; easy-to-use computer with ESOL software in designated languages; materials (including current
English-language titles) on various cultures and understanding diversity; and family centered components such as flash cards
for learning English and other languages. Tours will be developed with associations representing each language group and
in conjunction with cooperating agencies such as the Charter Oak Family Resource Center and Elmwood Community Center. Registration
of new users will take place at sites such as Shield Street Plaza, site of New England’s largest Asian market. A simple welcome
packet including translation of library rules will be provided. For new non-English speaking parents, a Welcome Baby program
will offer a new book (such as Good Night Moon) in their native language. A half-day session in multicultural sensitivity
training will be offered for library staff and other interested community groups and businesses.
Outreach Programs for Older Adults
1. Applicant: Saxton B. Little Free Library
Municipality Columbia
Funding: $ 3,000
Project Abstract:
The Saxton B. Little Free Library Book Buddy Outreach Program for Older Adults will provide door-to-door delivery service
to an estimated 90 people aged 55 and older who have difficulties using the library. Volunteer Book Buddies will be recruited
and trained to deliver and pick up materials to the homebound. In addition another 15 people at the St. Joseph Libing Center
Adult Day Care facility in Columbia will receive monthly deliveries of large print books and other library materials. Dial-A-Ride
service will be available to individuals who wish to attend monthly book discussion held at the library and at the Beckish
Senior Center.
2. Applicant: The Hagaman Memorial Library
Municipality East Haven
Funding: $10,000
Project Abstract:
The Hagaman Memorial LIbrary will develop a library services outreach program targeting the large elderly population of East
Haven. The main focus of the program will be the 323 elderly residents in one assisted living/nursing home facility and one
of East Haven's senior housing complexes. The outreach program will involve the creation of a Traveling Collection of about
800 items including materials in a variety of formats: large print books, audiobooks, closed-captioned and descriptive videos,
and high interest low reading level fiction and non-fiction. Materials from the Traveling Collection will be delivered to
each of the two facilites once per month beginning in January 2003 in conjunction with a variety of complementary programs
based on the specific needs of each individual facility. These other programs will include a book talk conducted by a professional
librarian, a read aloud to residents in a group setting, and a reader's roundtable discussion group lead by a professional
librarian. The second part of the program will target elderly East Haven residents over the age of sixty-five who live independently
but are unable to come to the library to borrow materials due to a mobility or vision impairment. The Library will develop
a Homebound Delivery Service which will include materials in a variety of formats from the Traveling Collection and the existing
collection. Materials will be selected based on the homebound resident's request. A library employee will be hired for the
purpose of delivering materials to these residents.
3. Applicant: Essex Library Association
Municipality Essex
Funding: $4,844
Project Abstract:
The Library's recently completed long-range plan indicates that older adults in the community want and need tailored library
services. The Library plans to complete a targeted survey and develop collections, delivery services, and technology training
programs based on the feedback gathered from the survey.
4. Applicant: Ledyard Public Libraries
Municipality Ledyard
Funding : $11,000
Project Abstract:
The Library will provide library service to the elderly population of Ledyard, with emphasis on those who are homebound or
unable to get to the library. This will be done in collaboration with the Ledyard Public Health Nursing Service which provides
visiting nurses for patient care, the Nutrition Site Server who oversees the Meals On Wheels Program, and the Senior Citizen
Program Director who oversees the activities at the Senior Center. Seniors will be surveyed to determine the type of materials
they would enjoy and if there is an interest in book discussions or other programs from the additional formats. The items
for the homebound will be delivered by the visiting nurses, by the Meal-on- Wheels drivers or by volunteers. The Library will
also reach out to Ledyard residents in area nursing homes and rehabilitation centers and recruit volunteers to deliver materials
to them. The Library believes this service will enable seniors to maintain the library connnections that is so important
to their lives.
5. Applicant: The Ferguson Library
Municipality Stamford
Funding: $ 5,000
Project Abstract:
Through an ongoing partnership with local senior citizen facilities, the Ferguson Library provides older residents of Stamford
with monthly deliveries of entertaining and educational library materials. In 1999, the Library responded to this comminity
need by establishing a special "Visiting Collection" that is used to accommodate shut-ins at assisted living facilities and
senior citizen apartment buildings. This program has been so well received that in the three years since its inception, the
number of facilities requesting the Library's service has doubled from six residences to twelve. Although such a wonderful
response is heartening, the increased demand has created a drain on the Library's resources. Videos and large typre books,
the most popular items in the collection, are in expecially short supply. The Library's inablility to select titles geared
specifically to the target audience has also been problematic, with senior citizens and their caregivers requesting particular
kinds of videos or partular large type authors and subjects that are only meagerly represented in the Collection. The Library's
goal is to bring funding for a core collection of videos and large type books that will better meet the needs of the older
adults in the target group.
Adaptive Technology
1. Applicant: Douglas Library
Municipality Hebron
Funding: $3,295
Project Abstract:
The Library will purchase an Optelec reader for the visually impaired and a carrel to match existing furnishings. The Senior
Center of Hebron will be moving into the library building for a minimum of eight months while they are having an extension
added to their building. The present senior population of Hebron has reached almost 25% of the population, approximately
1800 seniors. The Optelec reader will be a valuable asset to our senior population. There is also a need for this equipment
to be available to people who are not seniors.
2. Applicant: Willis Royle Library, CT. Valley Hospital
Municipality Middletown
Funding: $5,200
Project Abstract:
In August of this year, the main library (Battell Hall) will combine with the Medical Sciences library and move to the newly
renovated Page Hall Treatment Mall. This will house a much larger, state-of-the-art patients' and medical sciences library,
and will serve nearly the entire CVH campus. A branch of the library will remain in Battell Hall and the other buildings,
for those who are not able to leave their buildings. The target populations for this grant project would include approximately
45% of the 541 patients from the General Psychiatric, Addictions, Traumatic Brain Injury Acquired Brain Injury, Forensic and
Geriatric units of the hospital. The disabilities addressed include: cognitive dysfunction, movement disorder, visual impairment,
fine motor coordination, and learning disabilities. Funds will be used to purchase a Lo Vision Speech computer with a 19”
color Touchscreen Monitor, IntelliKeys keyboard, a printer, and scanner.
3. Applicant: New Haven Free Public Library
Municipality New Haven
Funding: $9,987
Project Abstract:
In July 1999, The Center for Research and Public Policy conducted a New Haven Disability Study, which estimated that 26%
of New Haven residents currently live with disabilities. Nationwide, the estimate is 20%. Though the percentages include
53 different disabilities, the New Haven respondents listed "blind" as eighth in the rank of disabilities. New Haven Free
Public LIbrary has a main branch located in the heart of the downtown area and neighborhood branches in Fair Haven, Dixwell
and Westville. Alll our branches have Technology Access Centers available to New Haven public but presently none of our centers
has computers equipped with adaptive technology. Grant funds will be used to develop services for our visually impaired population
within the context of our neighborhood Technology Access Centers by providing monies to help purchase a Clearview517XL full
color video magnifier, a VERAsystem stand-alone reading machine, and a JAWS for Windows Screen Reader.
4. Applicant: Windsor Public Library
Municipality Windsor
Funding: $3,600
Project Abstract:
Windsor Public Library will provide a low vision reading center for library patrons with the requested grant money. At present
the library has no adaptive technology available to the public. With this grant the Library will purchase an Optelec Clearview
317 Magnifier-Reader, ZoomText Xtra Level 2 software, computer hardware to access the ZoomText software and a wheelchair accessible
desk that will hold this equipment.The Optelec reader can be used to magnify books, magazines, documents and pictures. It
allows patrons with low vision to comfortably read any print material. The ZoomText Xtra Level 2 software enlarges the text
of anything on a computer display screen. It can also read selected text out loud with audio text ouput delivered through
headphones. With ZoomText patrons will be able to read and hear computer information from the library's OPAC, information
databases and the Internet. Computer hardware will be purchased that is fully compatible with the ZoomText software. A
large screen monitor and a large print keyboard will be part of the computer workstation. Both the Optelec and the computer
with ZoomText will be on a desk that has an adjustable desktop and is wheelchair accessible.
Resource Sharing
1. Applicant: Preston Elementary School
Municipality Preston
Funding: $8,146
