Library Connection @ Adams Square, Glendale Public Library’s newest and smallest branch at just 2,200 square feet, opened in July 2008. Over the past two years, it has become very popular with neighborhood families and children making it the second highest circulating branch in the system. The storefront branch features a popular browsing multilingual collection of books for children, teens, and adults. It also includes DVDs, music CDs, Playaways, and video games. WiFi access is available as well as 12 laptops for in-house checkout.

Programming has been youth focused with multilingual storytimes, Wii, Karaoke & Bingo days, craft & science programs, and movie nights. This Eureka LSTA grant was the perfect opportunity to begin developing adult services and programs at the Library Connection.

EUREKA!The Garfield Campus Connection

The Library Connection launched an outreach campaign, the "Garfield ESL Connection," to increase its visibility to the adult population in the local neighborhood and to support the educational opportunities of adult English language learners. The target audience was composed of students enrolled in the Spring 2010 ESL classes at the Garfield Adult Education Campus located just two blocks away from the library. Library staff invited classes to library presentations, informed students of the Glendale Public Library's services, and demonstrated online resources such as the library catalog and Mango Languages. Staff created an open house feel by providing in-kind refreshments & book bag giveaways. Orientations were presented in English and Armenian. Surveys were completed as a group during the library visits. Raffle tickets were used to measure the number of additional times students visited the library during the Spring semester.

330 students attended library presentations during the outreach campaign.

201 student surveys were completed.

165 new library cards were processed.

Circulation of existing ESL collection increased by 51%.

In comparison to 2009 statistics, overall circulation increased by 37% in April and by 18% in both May & June.

60% of Garfield Campus students from classes participating in library outreach campaign visited the Library Connection again at least once during Spring semester.

Success Measures

New LSTA Grant Funded ESL Collection & Software Materials

The Glendale Public Library recently subscribed to Mango Languages Online which includes an ESL component. LSTA funds were used to purchase headphone and microphone accessories to support this resource.

Side by Side software purchased for 10 library laptops.

This Fall, classes will be introduced to these new tools and encouraged to use the library’s laptops and accessories for independent learning.New ESL resource section established including

58 new grant funded items.

NEXT STEPS

Develop new partnership formed with Garfield Campus administrators and instructors.

Maintain outreach campaign by inviting ESL classes to visit every year.

Collaborate with instructors and students for ongoing development of the new ESL collection.

Begin planning for new adult focused programs such as computer workshops or conversation classes as identified by student survey findings.

PROJECT IMPACTS

Supported the Glendale Public Library’s mission of "fostering literacy" and fits into the Library's strategic plan of “fostering a community that reads and has a high level of literacy.“

The local adult population mostly composed of newly arrived immigrants are now aware of the library’s free services and resources. This falls in line with the Glendale Public Library's strategic goal of becoming a "vital civic center and community gathering place for long time and newly arrived residents."

Increased library visibility and relevance to the community as measured by an overall increase of circulation rates, reference questions, and program attendance. Library Connection has definitely been much busier since this outreach project!