 |
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Cybermobile Project Vandella Brown The East St. Louis Public Library is on the move. The Cybermobile Project funded by a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant from the Illinois State Library for $72,500 provided electronic library services and library materials to more than 20,000 citizens and children of East St. Louis, Illinois. The Cybermobile Project is a bookmobile that brings educational products and Internet access to remote areas of the city. The cybermobile began in November 1998 and continues today. Background In accessing the needs of the City of East St. Louis, we find that in 1990 the city was named, by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as "the most distressed small city in America." Once a bustling industrial town, the city now struggles to provide adequate technological advantages, educational services, and city services to its citizens. The city's residential population is 98% African-American and has a poverty level of 39.5. The percentage of female-headed households rose from 21% to 62% in 1990. The population has been decreasing since the 1960s. The population in 1970 was 70,000, 1980, 55,000, and in 1990, 40,944. As of today the population is 38,595. While the population continues to decline, the unemployment rate continues to skyrocket. In 1997 the unemployment rate was 9.0% and as of June 1998 the unemployment rate rose to 10.6%. The city lost 1,527 businesses from 1967-1991, because it was not able to adapt to technological changes. The supply of local jobs dropped from 12,423 to 2,699 in 1990. Less than 300 businesses are active today in the city. The loss in the city's job market leaves children and their families in crisis. Because of the low-income rate, many families cannot afford computers and cannot provide the learning enrichment that educational software can deliver. The City of East St. Louis needs the latest technology to aid in improving the computer skills and technology skills for its citizens. Schools located in East St. Louis are a part of Public Schools District #189. In accessing the educational report card of the district. School District #189's has the highest dropout rate at 5.9%. The St. Louis Post Dispatch's (November 24, 1997) reported, "The longer students remain in the East St. Louis schools, the worse they perform. By high school, more than 7 out of 10 fail state standards reading, writing, and math." Because the East St. Louis Library's bookmobile is already active in school District #189, the Cybermobile Project's enhancements of computers, educational software-incorporating reading, writing, and math could easily help reinforce practice in the three learning areas. Plus, the Cybermobile Project would offer life-long learning resources for those students who drop out. The East St. Louis Public Library is key in providing a variety of reading, informational and technological services to its citizens. The Bookmobile unit served 3,700 school children with reading materials in 1997. The library is opened 65 hours a week and is the Main Library for the city. East St. Louis' citizens check out more than 113,000 items a year. The library answers more than 27,000 reference questions per year. In September 1997, the library added six Internet and multimedia workstations to its library resources. The children actively used the computer workstations in the Children's Room of the library. Although the students made up the largest portion of the library's patronage, obtrusive measures shown an increase of adults' usage of the Internet services at the library. In fact, more than 2,800 children and their families have used the workstations at the library according to the library's log in sheets since September 1997. In addition, in 1997, the library's in house usage increased from 52,584 to 73,611 due to the technological services. This proves that the children and their families need and will use the library's technological services. The Cybermobile Project will assist in Vandella Brown, Library Director, East St. Louis Public Library, Illinois 167 putting the informational and technological services in more convenient places. In summary, it can be said that advancement in technology left the city in crisis. The citizens cannot afford to purchase the computers and the software needed to improve in the future. The Cybermobile Project gives the citizens the technological advantages to help assist in the struggle to address high unemployment rates, the empty job market, and poor educational services that now exist. Project Feasibility: Cybermobile Operations The East St. Louis Public Library had an established bookmobile service. The bookmobile was adequately staffed with an operating schedule for schools and community agencies. In 1997, more than 3,000 students visited the bookmobile for library services. In addition, to this service the cybermobile, with its new featured services, made visits to other community agencies and two shopping areas in the city to promote library services. The key work of the cybermobile will be to deliver service at a site and to promote the library's services in the common market. This will be done at no addition cost or staffing. Thus, grant funding will enhance the lifelong learning services the library has already developed. The cybermobile operated in the following way: • Staff included a librarian, library assistant, and a driver. Staff was provided at no additional cost. • The bookmobile operated 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. • Grant funds were used to purchase the electronic software, electronic hardware, printer and promotional materials, and initial telecommunications charges. • Library customers used electronic software and Internet access during regular visiting hours and tours. • Library customers could obtain library cards and check out the material collection. • Site visits were published in the local newspapers. • The East St. Louis Public Library continued the telephone lines service after LSTA funds are used. Action Plan: The following objectives were used to evaluate the success of the Cybermobile Project. Objectives included: • To write a bookmobile service policy and to print instructional materials by November 1998. • To purchase and install 13 CD-ROM products, 4 laptop computers, a printer, and Internet access by December 1998. • To install 1 digital telephone-for Internet access through the library's Lewis & Clark Library System. • To visit eleven schools every two weeks January-May 31,1999. • To once a month visit two shopping centers (Collinsville Avenue Shops and Schnuck's Grocery Market) to promote the services offered by the book- mobile beginning February 1998. • To conduct tours of the bookmobile services at community agencies upon request. Community Achievements One of the greatest achievements of the cybermobile cited by children visiting the bookmobile is the CD-ROM products on laptop computers. More than ten CD ROM products are available. These include the Magic School Bus series, Reader Rabbit series, word processing CD, an encyclopedia, on four laptop computers. Internet access is channeled through a wireless MP2000 3 watt modem. The promotion of these products encouraged 1,144 school children to register for library cards. The achievements go beyond electronic usage. The activities included the writing and the approval, by the trustees, a Bookmobile and Internet Policy, the establishment of a career collection, a computer collection, books on tapes and general reading materials. Community awareness was greatly touched by the Cybermobile Project. The project was advertised in the local newspapers. The cybermobile's biggest hit was the Urban League Family Fun Back to School Fair. At the fair, children and parents received a demonstration on how the laptop computers worked, signed up for library cards, and viewed the computer and audiovisual book collections. At the Audiovisual and Career Book Collections opening, over thirty teachers and caregivers were introduced to the cybermobile services and the usage of its teacher's collection. The promotion of the cybermobile service helped to increase the bookmobile circulation from 34,000 to 44,429 during the project. Promotion Achievements: The cybermobile's promotions focused on community awareness. Promotion flyers were handed-out and 168 mailed-out to twenty-two schools, local businesses, and at tours. Major news articles about the State Library grant and the cybermobile were cited first in the Belleville News-Democrat, November 30, 1998, the East St. Louis Journal, August 25, 1999, and November 3, 1999, and the East St. Louis Monitor, November 3, 1999. Handouts promoting the bookmobile services remain on display inside the library. In fact, 1,300 flyers were distributed through the library and bookmobile promotions. Teachers and students were given over 500 magnets promoting the library as the "Center for Information and the Internet" and the cybermobile flyers on services and library card registration. Copy of the business magnet is in the appendix of information. The library director announced the opening of the Cybermobile Project on the local television station, Channel 13, on the "Voices of the People," hosted by Chris McIntosh in November 1998. Many citizens watch the television show so it was effective in getting the news out to most of the populace of East St. Louis. Overall many citizens have visited the bookmobile to see the new services. Staff Achievements: The staff of the East St. Louis Public Library played a major role in the cybermobile achievements. The purchase of laptop computers, software, and supporting materials were all handled between November 1998 and May 1999. Here is a summary of the staff operational achievements under activities: • Daily operations of the Bookmobile Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. • Staffing included a library clerk, bookmobile driver and a librarian. • Scheduled visits were handled from the Main Library. • The staff scheduled promotional visits on Fridays and Saturdays. Twelve scheduled visits were made between November 1998 and June 1999. • The staff trained over 500 children in how to use the laptop computers and software. • Staff distributed 1,300 flyers promoting the cybermobile to children, teachers, and residents. • The staff hosted one program on June 16, 1999, promoting the cybermobile's services. • The staff gave ten tours of the cybermobile at the Main Library. Cybermobile's Program Service Achievements: A long over due program service achievement, completed through the LSTA grant, was the audiovisual resources. The LSTA funds established the first circulating video and audio collection in twenty years at the East St. Louis Public Library. The Cybermobile Project used LSTA funds solely for the purchase of the electronic software, electronic hardware, printer and promotional materials, print materials,and initial telecommunications charges. The $72,000 grant set in motion the following achievemenets: • Four personal laptop computer workstations on the bookmobile • Twelve educational CD-ROM products • Access to printers on the bookmobile (i.e.,for resumes, report) • 1,144 new users-increased library card registration and usage of the bookmobile and library • Telephone and telecommunication access from the bookmobile to the Main Library • Updated reference titles • A career collection that includes books and audiovisuals • An audiovisual collection that includes videos on careers, children's entertainment tapes, book-on-tapes, and informational videos • Development of standing order purchases Partnerships Achievements: Partnership participation is another accomplishment through the project. Participation involved the Metro-East Education to Careers Partnership, who purchased fifty career videos and career books to be used on board the cybermobile. The Metro East Education to Careers Partnership helped to inform teachers, educators, and caregivers about the library's bookmobile services. On June 16, 1999, the Metro-East Education to Careers Partnership provided refreshments for the opening of the Audiovisual and Career Book Collection. The three-hour program involved training teachers and caregivers how to use the Cybermobile's Teacher's Collection, library card registration and computers provided by the LSTA Grant. Public schools and two public housing units used the Cybermobile Project services.Twelve schools in District #189 without libraries received biweekly visits from the cybermobile. The school children were scheduled time to use the computers and teachers took advantage of the computer book collection on board. 169 The Casino Queen donated funds to improve the general appearance of the 1987 Chevy bookmobile. The Casino Queen's contributions were an area rug, automobile repairs, and author visits. The East St. Louis Public Library's service image has been improved because of the Cybermobile Project. Through the LSTA Grant, the library is becoming the center of resources, technology, and reaching out to schools and neighborhoods. Changes In Program Directions There was little change in the cybermobile's program directions. Two wireless telephones were added to the equipment purchase. This enabled the cybermobile staff to accept library card application on site. The cellular telephone was helpful in contacting the schools to verify visits and was used to contact the Main Library when a repair was needed on the bookmobile. The Internet service on the cybermobile proved interesting and made a good promotional theme. However, the Internet service was not easily used off site. The cybermobile staff recorded no questions requiring the use of the Internet access. The Internet service will be canceled in November 1999, because it is not used. The cybermobile will work without the Internet access. Project Strengths and Weaknesses The cybermobile provided computer access to a large African-American population who cannot afford computers and software for their homes. The project strengths include: • Providing computers to a large population of children, who do not have access in their homes • Public access to word processing software and printers • Providing education software and hands-on experience to low income residents and children • The educational CD-ROM products and laptop workstations were liked and well used • The children's book on tapes were well used and more is needed for circulation • Providing a library services and library card usage to schools and neighbors with no library • Providing resource materials to teachers and care-givers on library services and audiovisual materials • The cybermobile service demonstrations and visits were well liked by the children and adults • Two wireless telephones made communication effective for verifying patrons' registration and handling emergencies. The project weaknesses include: • The Internet access was very expensive and was liked but not used by the children and adults • Printers were used mainly by the staff Analysis of the Illinois State Library's Long Range Plan Were Met The Cybermobile Project is ideal in serving the Illinois State Library's long range plan. The project reached more than 20,000 African-Americans, who live on the other side of the digital divide. In East St. Louis, where the population is ninety percent African-American and thirty-eight percent of the population live below the poverty line, many children do not have access to computers, printers, educational software, and book-on-tapes. The Cybermobile Project helped to provide educational skills, computer knowledge and library usage to underprivileged Americans in East St. Louis. The LSTA grant helped to improve the East St. Louis Library's service through its goal to ensure that Illinois libraries have access to all sources and formats of information. Partnerships and Community Involvement The East St. Louis Public Library's cybermobile worked with the following schools and agencies:
170
Other Community Agencies that supported the Cybermobile Project
APPENDIX
East St. Louis Public Library The East St.Louis Public Library's Bookmobile purpose is to provide library resources and reading services to schools without libraries, community agencies that do not have access to the Main Library, and services to remote areas of the City of East St. Louis, Illinois. Materials checked out by children are the responsibility of their parents or guardians. No email, chat-rooms, pornography, or inappropriate images may be viewed or used on electronic resources. It is the responsibility of the Bookmobile staff to supervise, to demonstrate services, to issue library cards, to conduct tours, to help with reference questions, and to maintain a clean and safe environment for bookmobile customers. The Bookmobile operates Monday through Friday during the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Bookmobile visits routine sites every two-weeks. The Bookmobile visits special events, literacy fairs, and community agencies as scheduled. Special events and presentations are scheduled through the Main Library. Bookmobile library cards are issued to children in grades one through five. Materials are checked out for two-weeks and may be returned to the Main Library. Local Teacher's Collections are available from the Bookmobile. Materials are not available for Inter-Library Loan. The Bookmobile is like a mini-library and promotes that reading is fundamental and fun. It offers many of the same services available at the Main Library. The following services are available as of January 2000: • Answers to Reference • Questions • Children Books • Videos • Educational software • Tours and Visits • Personal Computers • Teacher Collection Material • Over 1,200 other books • Encyclopedias • Book on tapes 171 |
|
|