Programs & Outreach
The Library is strengthening program and outreach offerings and participation through a unified and focused vision in key areas including equity, literacy, and workforce development.
Storytime with Pratt librarians are offered in person, live streaming, and recorded for later viewing
Pratt Bookmobile providing free Wi-Fi and access to library services and information outdoors during the pandemic
Adopt a program evaluation and measurement system to assess whether programmatic offerings are meeting desired outcomes, have a reasonable return on investment, and serve the Library’s main priority areas, keeping community responsiveness, impact, and equity at the forefront in these evaluations.
Focus programming on key areas: equity, literacy, workforce development, trauma informed services, arts and culture, and family, children and teen services.
Identify current services and programs that need to be strengthened or eliminated. Simultaneously determine what can be adapted for delivery outside of the Library. Identify criteria to measure the success of community events, programs, and services, and determine how the Library’s outreach can strengthen the fabric of Baltimore’s neighborhoods.
Regularly evaluation the collection to ensure it is responsive to community needs.
Fiscal Year 2021 Progress Report
In FY21, the Library is strengthening equitable and responsive program and outreach offerings and participation.
Initiatives
The Pratt Library maintains a presence throughout the city with outreach programs like the Bookmobile, and the Mobile Job Center. The Library also offers a wide range of virtual programming, including Virtual Storytime.
The Pratt expanded WiFi availability beyond the walls of Library buildings by installing exterior access points at eight branches (Brooklyn, Edmondson Avenue, Forest Park, Herring Run, Northwood, Orleans Street, Patterson Park, and Waverly) as well as mobile units.
Additionally, the Library introduced community connectivity via a MESH network on the Southeast side of Baltimore and the PNC Chromebook Cohort on Baltimore’s westside to provide one-to-one technology assistance, workforce development and access to Library resources.
Successes
- Introduced new forms of community connectivity, expanding Pratt’s traditional digital equity work
- Loaned hotspots, tablets, and Chromebooks to over 2,000 children, youth, and adults
- Introduced Sidewalk Services to make the collection accessible during COVID-19
- Responded to the increased demand for electronic materials
Sidewalk Service offered outside all Pratt Library locations to continue safe customer service during the pandemic
Laptops and other computer and internet devices made available both in the library and to borrow for home use
Progress
The Library is midway through the completion of this goal.
In FY 2022/2023, the Library will focus on ccompleting the equity evaluation and planning tool in collaboration with IMLS, increasing attendance at hybrid programs, determining if hybrid programming is needed, and focusing programming efforts around the key areas of literacy, digital equity, health equity, workforce development, youth engagement, arts, and culture.
Q4 FY2022 Snapshot
Snapshot of Equitable & Responsive Programs & Outreach progress as of June 30, 2022
Mobile Job Center
The Mobile Job Center offers computers, books, information, and assistance for job seekers and career changers in Baltimore City.