PACE (project and collaborative education)

• LSTA Grant #40-8419
• Original Application, Final Narrative
• Commerce Public Library
• Sonia Bautista, Senior Librarian
• Maximum funding (CopyCat grant): $18,000

Special considerations: Your library must be CIPA-compliant to apply to copy this project (see Children’s Internet Protection Act).

Description: Commerce Public Library’s PACE (Projects and Collaborative Education) Project provided the necessary resources for K-12 students to successfully create projects and prepare for presentations that were assigned to them at school. Partnering with local schools and teachers, Commerce Public Library (CPL) staff obtained necessary supplies, everything from markers to staplers to tri-fold presentation boards, and created kits that students checked out for use in the library or at home. Chromebooks and laptops were available for check-out, and students had the opportunity to attend PowerPoint classes at the library.

Purpose: This program was developed after library staff served as judges at a local school science fair and saw that some students had difficulty with the quality of their projects because their families faced economic hardship and could not afford supplies. The library identified an opportunity to provide equitable access to materials for these students.

Expected outcomes: Participants will have increased confidence in their school projects, and families will report a decrease in the stress associated with these projects. Schools and teachers will report an increase in quality and success of completed projects.

Target Audience: This program was designed to assist low-income students and their families who experience difficulty in obtaining materials needed to complete school projects.

Partners: Interaction with local schools and the teachers assigning projects is crucial for this program. CPL forged relationships with teachers and obtained lists of materials needed for school projects. These partners help spread the word about the availability of PACE bags at the library.

Budget Considerations

• Craft materials and supplies
• USB drives
• Laptops, Chromebooks, Netbooks
• Microsoft Office and Printshop software
• Mobile storage cabinet

See original application for more detail and in-kind staff estimates. The maximum funding level is for a scaled down project from the original.

Implementation Steps

• Contact schools/teachers to obtain lists of supplies. Sample: PACE Teacher supply request form (PDF).
• Schedule PowerPoint classes on library calendar, reserve rooms. Offer multiple opportunities to fit students' schedules. Sample schedule: PACE Powerpoint Class (PDF)
• Develop curriculum and prepare to teach PowerPoint classes. Sample: PACE PowerPoint Handout (PDF), PACE PowerPoint presentation (PDF)
• Publicize program in the library and in schools (ongoing). Examples: PACE Kids Flyer (PDF), PACE Teen Flyer (PDF), City of Commerce Website, Visit the marketing page for tips.
• Purchase supplies and equipment, including Chromebooks, laptops, and software
  • Determined by teachers' requests
  • Take home totes and In-Library Use kits may be purchased from Lakeshore Learning
  • Vendors that may be used for supplies include Discount School Supply, Office Depot, Dollar Tree, Amazon
  • Sample list of supplies and costs (PDF) Please note: includes other items not included in copycat grant)
• Photograph supplies for students to see inventory Sample: PACE Supplies Photos (PDF)
• Assemble kits
• Catalogue kits and computers and decide on fines to be charged if lost or damaged, loan period Example: PACE Project Fines Fees (PDF), PACE bag catalog record (PDF)
• Create order forms and check-out slips Sample: PACE Checkout Slip (PDF), PACE Mobile Device Checkout Agreement (PDF), PACE Mobile Device Parent Permission (PDF)
• Train staff in circulation policies and request their assistance in marketing kits to patrons
• Consult with students during check-outs to ensure access to necessary materials
• Evaluate program. See outcomes page for tips
  • Survey students who check out PACE materials Sample: PACE Participant Survey (PDF)
  • Surveys to teachers after each project completed Sample: PACE Teacher Survey (PDF)
• Continually monitor kits for resupply
• Continually monitor inventory for resupply