KidsOnline is funded by a grant from the
New Hampshire State Library with
Library Services and Technology Act Funds
&
Howe Library Corporation Fund 2000 donations. "Kids
in the Stacks"(KITS)
Howe Library, Hanover, NH
See Grant Proposal
Abstract
Howe Library proposes a project
to enhance access to the library consortium's collections and
resources by providing an electronic graphic interface to the
children's catalog and by partnering with a non-profit area institution
to provide wireless technology. The project proposes a collaboration
of two public libraries, the local internet service provider,
and elementary school.
The project and related activities
are designed to:
· Provide parents with
a model and strategies for actively engaging their children in
the use of library resources, at the libraries and from the schools
and other institutions by offering KidsOnline, a children's interface
to the library's collections.
· Enhance the effect
of the recent Institute for Museums and Libraries Services leadership
award, "Science-in-the-Stacks," by providing access
to KidsOnline in proximity to the science exhibits.
· Provide the wireless
technology necessary to facilitate access to and use of library
collections and resources.
· Assist the library
in maintaining its community image as a vital and active center
for learning.
NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE LIBRARY
LIBRARY SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY ACT (LSTA) FY 2000
FINAL NARRATIVE REPORT
GRANTEE: Howe Library
GRANT #: LS-00029-00-01
GRANT TITLE: Kids-in-the-Stacks
GRANTEE STAFF MEMBER PREPARING
THIS REPORT:
Marlene McGonigle_______________________________________________________
(TYPED) (SIGNATURE) (DATE)
SUMMARY OF GRANT RESULTS: (Use
only the space provided)
NOTE: This Summary should reflect the benefits derived from the
grant, a description of the activities and how your agency evaluated
the success of the project.
Howe Library users, especially
parents and children, are benefiting from the successful implementation
of KidsOnline, which was made possible by the grant. The elementary
school librarian has it book-marked and reports that the children
love to use it. Evidence of usage was taken in a sample 28 day
period in April and May and shows that an average of 227 KidsOnline
records were retrieved daily. The "Family Learning Center"
which is being installed in late July will undoubtedly increase
usage - at present there are no terminals in the Children's Department.
Further benefits were derived from the working partnership developed
among ValleyNet, the Montshire Museum, Etna Library, and Ray
School. Our wireless experiment with ValleyNet was so successful
that wireless terminals will be installed in the Family Learning
Center and for additional public access in FY 2001-02. One "Airport"
works well on almost the entire main floor. The wireless technology
solution circumvents two of Howe's problems: 1) Concrete floors
and cost of wiring and 2) Space limitations for desktops.
The activities leading to the success of the grant began with
two meetings of the steering committee in October. Communication
with Innovative Interfaces, Inc for background requirements prior
to implementing KidsOnline followed. The planning for wireless
encountered several issues including the need for firewalls to
guarantee the security of our automated system. The technicians
from ValleyNet and the Hanover MIS Manager worked through the
details and eventually configured two laptops for use with the
experiment.
Public relations included, in additional to in-house signs and
posters, ValleyNet's inclusion of KidsOnline in workshops on
resources; an article in the local newspaper, and a feature in
one of our bi-monthly paid public relations ads in the Valley
News. With the completion of the Family Learning Center, we will
feature the entire project at an open house in the fall. The
Howe website features details of the grant and highlights information
about KidsOnline. Links to the Science-in-the-Stacks (SITS) project
were implemented as described in the proposal. The final report
will be posted on the website.
Evaluation: Data is being tracked for the Science-In-The-Stacks
project and includes Kids-in the-Stacks. The reports are completed
for each of the eight displays and include the usage of the wireless
laptops, which feature as the default the KidsOnline screen.
Usage is tracked as well as circulation of materials related
to the displays. The two areas identified for evaluation were:
Did KidsOnline has the desired impact on library use for children
and families? Yes, even without the Family Learning Center, which
will greatly increase the use of the module. What did we learn
about the use of wireless technology? That for space constraints
and for older facilities, it is a wonderful solution to the need
to provide more public access computers.
Kids-in-the-Stacks (KITS)
Evaluation
The evaluation process will
focus in two areas:
1. Did KidsOnline have the desired impact on library use for
children and families, and
2. What did we learn about the
use of wireless technology in a library setting?
The project evaluator will be
the steering committee, headed by the project manager. The evaluation
plan will begin at the outset of the project and be incorporated
into the implementation of the project. The following quantitative
and qualitative methods will be employed:
· Statistics gathered
from report generators available through Innovative on both the
laptop computer and the computers in Children's Services.
· Surveys of users of the Science-in-the-Stacks exhibits
to determine the usefulness of having access to the collection
and links to the Internet next to the exhibits.
· Analysis of the success of the wireless technology.
All problems encountered and solutions will be documented to
determine if wireless meets a need at a reasonable cost in dollars,
staff time, and support time.
· An evaluation meeting of Steering Committee and Project
Support Team with a facilitator to answer the following three
questions:
1. What went well?
2. What didn't go so well?
3. What could have been done differently?
A final report will be filed
with the NH State Library, posted on the Howe website and available
by request.
Kids-in-the-Stacks (KITS)
Dissemination and Community
Impact
The project will use two levels
of communication to disseminate project results.
First is an initiative for widespread
distribution of summary information. Library media will be the
prime outlet. Granite State Libraries, NHLA NEWS, and New England
Libraries will be provided information. In addition the Science-in-the-Stacks
project is receiving national attention and will include this
project in its evaluation and summary.
The second level will be on
the World Wide Web as a means to assemble all project details
in a form easily assessable by anyone interested in following
up the initial summary. The Howe's website (www.thehowe.org)
will contain a detailed overview of the project and it's participants,
links to the Science-in-the-Stacks website for exhibit information,
final report and evaluation report detailing the collaborative
process, successes and weaknesses.
The final report will offer
specific suggestions to others on the value of an online children's
catalog and on the use of wireless technology in a public library.
Kids-in-the-Stacks (KITS)
Timeline
2000
April - November
Set up steering committee for project: Director, Marlene McGonigle;
Assistant Director, Ellen Lynch; Children's Librarian, Denise
Reitsma; Executive Director of ValleyNet, Ronald Boehm.
Develop Science in the Stacks exhibit with Montshire Museum personnel
Prepare bibliography of materials in Howe's collection to accompany
exhibit topic
Research appropriate web sites to link to materials in the catalog
and to print for distribution
September
Meet with partners to confirm grant and review process
Plan customized desktop for children's online catalog
Meet with ValleyNet personnel to plan wireless communications
Set programming dates for exhibit events and for public workshops
for KidsOnline
October
Receive funding from State of New Hampshire and purchase module
from Innovative Interfaces, Inc.
Working with Technical Services and Town Manager of Information
Services, install KidsOnline module and customize module
Plan public relations, handouts
Post project on Howe Library and ValleyNet websites
November
Distribute public relations materials; contact partners with
dates
Set up exhibit with laptop using wireless communications and
set on KidsOnline desktop
Hold family learning event to introduce community to exhibit
and to new resource: KidsOnline
Begin collection of usage statistics for evaluation
2001
January
Review results of Annual Fund Drive and, if successful, purchase
furniture and equipment for the learning center in Children's
Services
Plan second phase of public relations efforts to introduce users
to these improved resources and to publicize coming new exhibit
Hold programs to feature KidsOnline and Science in the Stacks
in programming
2001
February - September
The process for Science in the Stacks continues for the 18 month
duration of the rotating exhibits:
· Install new exhibits
· Hold family centered programs to introduce exhibits
and to promote
KidsOnline
· Change desktop, web sites, collections to reflect new
exhibit topic.
· Prepare bibliography of materials in Howe's collection
to accompany exhibit
topic
· Research appropriate web sites to link to materials
in the catalog and to print
for distribution
Meet with partners regularly to review evaluation process and
to discuss new ways to promote project.
September, 2001
Gather evaluation statistics
Meet with partners to review statistics, project goals, project
achievement using a facilitator.
Send evaluation report to NH State Library
Make evaluation report available on Howe Library website and
ValleyNet website
Thank community, partners, State Library for benefits gained
by being granted LSTA funding.
Kids-in-the-Stacks (KITS)
Project Team
Steering Committee:
Director, Marlene McGonigle
Assistant Director, Ellen Lynch
Children's Librarian, Denise Reitsma
Executive Director of ValleyNet, Ronald Boehm
Project Team:
Steering Committee
Head of Technical Services, Howe Library
Town of Hanover Manager of Information Systems
Etna Librarian
Ray School Librarian
ValleyNet Technical support
NH State Library LSTA Proposal
Budget Detail
Capital Outlay
Local Contribution Amount
Howe Library
· Innovative Interfaces,
Inc - vendor $4,500 Purchase module: KidsOnline, total $8,500
A graphic interface designed for children to access
Howe Library's and Etna Library's online collections
Matching funds approved in Howe Corporation FY 2000-2001
budget
· Learning Center for
Children $17,300
A computer center designed for children with 4 computer work-
stations at four desks. The design features an "L"
shape surrounding
the Children's Librarian's desk to offer maximum assistance when
working in the catalog or the internet. The funding is a goal
of the
Howe Library Annual Fund Drive.
Partner: ValleyNet
· Wireless equipment
and expertise $ 500
Provide network access in an area where there is no networking
capability now as an experiment for future planning
· Laptop computer $2,500
ValleyNet will provide a laptop to complete the wireless experiment
Total: $24,800
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