eSTRIDE LSTA Grant/Project Overview:
This regional eBook project called eSTRIDE will provide anytime, anywhere, engaging library resources for these underserved students by delivering eBooks for 9th-12th grade students and teachers in the region. Approximately 13,608 students and teachers will have access to these e-resources. After the first year, the participating schools and the regional office will provide sustained funding to continue eBook collection development.
Activities:
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SEDC will enter into a contract with Overdrive to provide the eBook online library resources.
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The SEDC media specialist will spend 100 hours researching and collecting available free eBook resources.
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Working closely with the project director and a certified librarian in each of the districts, SEDC will coordinate the eBook selection process (resources from both Overdrive and from free collections will be considered) for the regional eBook repository ensuring all content selected is appropriate and meaningful.
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SEDC will administer a web accessible online library management system (LMS) to host eBook resources. SEDC staff will spend at least 100 hours importing eBook resources into this regional LMS.
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SEDC will provide a minimum of 200 hours of ongoing sustained technology support and make training available for each school librarian and faculty members. This will allow the rural underserved students and teachers to independently select, check out and read eBooks from the regional system that otherwise may not be available to them.
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After the first year of the project, the participating districts and charter schools will provide on-going funding to support the project. The funding will be a $300 base for each district plus $.25 per student. For example, Iron District has approximately 3000 students participating, with a base of $300 + $750 ($.25 per student) for a total of $1,050.00. This funding will be used to purchase regional updated content on a yearly basis. This grant will be the catalyst to implementing a regional sustainable eBooks model.
Outcomes:
Through eSTRIDE, the students and teachers will have 24/7 access to eBooks, including locations other than school. Students and teachers will download and read eBooks that are available. After the first year, each library will contribute a small amount to a yearly co-op purchase to acquire updated eBook resources that will be shared across the region. Through this project, many of these rural students, although very isolated, will have access to the same eBook resources students have in larger areas.
Evaluation:
Each week SEDC and District staff will use the Follett Shelf reports to determine how each school is utilizing the system. The schools that have not embraced eSTRIDE will be targeted through hands-on training and support that will help them become comfortableusing the system. This will allow us to also determine which eBook resources and genres need to be enhanced. At the beginning of the school year, SEDC will perform a baseline pre-survey on how eBooks and other online resources are being used bystudents. A post-survey will be given at the end of the school year. SEDC will provide analysis on the difference between the surveys and adjust the project accordingly.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
