5.3 LIBSR 01-25-20229
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To: Elk River Library Board
CC: Robbie Schake, LSC
From: Ryan McCormick, Patron Services Supervisor
Date: January 25, 2022
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding
Our ARPA-funded endeavors have continued to move forward. We have been partnering with workforce
centers and school districts to support participation in Future Forward, a web -based program intended to
bridge the gap between employers and schools. Local businesses provide resources such as classroom
speakers, mock interviews, project -based learning opportunities, job shadowing, and mentorships to help
students explore and prepare for future careers.
We have also continued working with Wilder Research to develop a logic model and evaluation plan.
This plan will document key inputs, activities and expected service outcomes post-COVID. In November,
representatives from the GRRL Board and staff members met for a virtual session with Wilder. The session
covered the components of a logic model, how it can be used, and how we will build our own. The group met
again later that month for a facilitated conversation. Input will now be compiled into GRRL's logic model and
evaluation plan for the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan.
2022 Open Hours
In early 2021, a GRRL board member suggested using part of the budget surplus to increase open hours
in the 32 branches. As the year progressed, and the financial picture began to change and local
considerations began to arise, the scope of the increases had to be narrowed to only branches that can
be single -staffed. Fortunately, that still meant adding hours to the Library Assistant position, and
increasing weekly open hours by three in 27 locations. Unfortunately, it meant having to exclude the
larger libraries from any increase.
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