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Minnesota LSTA FFY2012—Goal 1A-1C Competitive Grant Application: Follow the exact form, contents and
<br />pagination provided by the State Library.
<br />Applicant: Anoka County Library
<br />11. Project Activities/Methods: READ directions first!
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<br />Should Anoka County Library on the Go be funded, Anoka County Library will pilot digital services at these locations. Digital access will
<br />be introduced into communities at the same time as locally -funded services offering access to traditional (physical) library services are
<br />implemented. As a sign of commitment, local monies will fund two additional download stations to complement those purchased by and
<br />supported with LSTA funds. These digital access pilots will be implemented at all the locations self-service kiosks are, and at two additional
<br />locations identified as being significantly impacted by the digital divide. In. all instances, Anoka County Library will serve as fiscal agent,
<br />coordinator, trainer, and maintainer of the digital stations and related materials and technologies.
<br />Service Site 1: Ramsey Northstar Train Station - Serving Anoka County residents utilizing mass transit (train and bus), park and ride
<br />services, the Veterans Administration Clinic, and a growing population of seniors and young professionals, this location was selected for its
<br />ability to serve a diverse, intergenerational, high -traffic area. As mass transit operates at hours ACL branches do not, this will vastly increase
<br />access to our digital collection, while introducing it to a population who can put items to use immediately during their morning and evening
<br />commutes. The selected location will also fulfill the County's desire to provide increased services to veterans. Located 6 miles from the
<br />nearest Anoka County Library (Rum River Library), Anoka County Library on the Go seeks to implement a book locker system (local
<br />funding), a book vending machine (local), a download station (local, supported by LSTA-paid startup fee) and a vending machine supplied
<br />with 16 tablets (LSTA) at this location.
<br />Service Site 2: Andover YMCA— Located 6 miles from the nearest Anoka County Library (Rum River Library), this location was selected
<br />for its high -traffic, its proximity to a wealth of community services (City Center, Senior Center, area schools) and its ability to serve county
<br />residents at times ACL is not accessible. In addition, the community wants to capitalize on the opportunity to serve and engage Youth First
<br />service recipients. A non-profit aimed at providing community youth a brighter future "regardless of ethnic or economic boundaries," Youth
<br />First will serve as a great ally in Anoka County's efforts to close the digital divide and expand its services to those most in need. Anoka
<br />County Library on the Go seeks to implement a book locker system (local), a book vending machine (local), and a download station (local,
<br />supported by LSTA-paid startup fee) at this location.
<br />Service Site 3: University Avenue Elementary School — Initially identified by the Anoka County Library Board, this site was chosen for its
<br />ability to serve the county's youth, specifically those disproportionately impacted by the digital divide due to their depressed socio-economic
<br />status. Serving 525 students in grades K-5, University Avenue School receives Title I funding as a majority of the school's students come
<br />• from families defined by the federal government as low-income. Approximately 70% of the students are receiving reduced school lunches.
<br />Further, 30% of the pupils are students of color. Situated only three miles from the nearest Anoka County Library, physically accessing the
<br />library requires traveling county highways and high-speed roads unsuitable for any pedestrian travel. Combining this knowledge with the
<br />fact that local funds cannot be used for projects implemented in the Anoka -Hennepin School District, Anoka County Library on the Go seeks
<br />to implement a download station (LSTA) at this location, and to complement the station with additional electronic readers (LSTA) and
<br />curriculum -supporting eBooks (LSTA).
<br />Service Site 4: Mississippi Library Branch — Serving Anoka County Library's most diverse, urban population, ACL and affiliated partners
<br />have identified this as a location in need of increased digital services. Anoka County Library on the Go seeks to enhance ACL's existing
<br />services at this location by implementing a vending machine supplied with 16 tablets (LSTA). This addition to the branch library will
<br />provide the opportunity for residents of the socio-economically depressed neighborhood to check out, utilize, and learn from digital
<br />technology that is not otherwise available to them, Partners in the initiative also suggest that the tablet service will draw new patrons into the
<br />library branch, where they will find additional community -focused services and programs they can access free of charge. Finally, it will
<br />provide an opportunity to evaluate the cost effectiveness of this type of service in a library building versus a remote site,
<br />Project Overview
<br />As indicated by generous local funds raised for the initiative, community leaders see a need to extend library services, both
<br />physical and digital, into the community. Although Anoka County Library is taking prime responsibility for procurement, installation and
<br />maintenance of the proposed physical and digital services, the pilot programs will only be a success through the involvement of the
<br />communities in which they are located. Looking forward to the successful implementation of Anoka County Library on the Go, ACL has
<br />been building partner relationships —both by strengthening existing connections and initiating new connections. The proposed LSTA project
<br />cements existing partnerships with the Anoka -Hennepin School District and the cities of Ramsey and Andover. Anoka County Library on
<br />the Go will foster new partnerships with the Andover YMCA, Youth First Andover, and University Avenue Elementary school. In exchange,
<br />all partners will support Anoka County Library on the Go through contributions to include: High speed Internet access (for the installed
<br />stations), a safe and secure site for program equipment (adequate to accommodate the mutually -agreed upon equipment, secure, protected
<br />from elements, temperature control where required, well lit, in high -traffic areas, adequately discoverable through signage and other way-
<br />finding methods), electrical power (sufficient for equipment operations) and a staff liaison. Combined with equipment providing traditional,
<br />physical library services to these sites & funded via local dollars, the proposed pilots will dramatically increase access to ACL services
<br />throughout the county, while simultaneously bridging the digital divide. Anoka County Library on the Go will help overcome barriers to
<br />accessing library services while simultaneously easing the transition to a positive, impactful and equality -driven digital future.
<br />Letters of Support, as provided by proposed partners, are herein included as Attachment 1.
<br />A proposed timeline is offered as Attachment 2.
<br />A-3
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