Johnston County Library, a branch of the Southern Oklahoma Library System

PROJECT PURPOSE

The Multi-Purpose Community Facility Project invests in capital assets and technology infrastructure designed to directly enable work, education, and health objectives. The rapid growth of remote work, education, and health monitoring means that Johnston County needs more space and technology capabilities available to allow the community to meet with employers for job interviews, meet with teachers for assessment and testing and meet virtually with health care providers. There is only one private meeting room in this library to accommodate a population of 11,085 county-wide. Evidence shows the community relies of the library to complete day to day tasks including computer use, education, workforce development and telehealth appointments.

EVIDENCE

Johnston County has no regular public transportation available which contributes to a hardship in a community whose residents have been historically disadvantaged. The Johnston County Library in Tishomingo is the sole library in the county serving many smaller surrounding rural communities. The greatest technology issue facing school-aged children and families is equitable access to high-speed broadband Internet. The NEA?s Digital Equity research shows that only 65% of students in Oklahoma have full access to broadband and devices for school. The divide is worse among underserved populations and those living in rural areas such as those in Johnston County.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The ability to engage in work, study and health monitoring and awareness has been greatly impacted by the pandemic, especially to those residing in rural areas of Oklahoma. The lack of free public meeting space with broadband access in Johnston County has been heightened by the public health emergency as well. Johnston County has only one library to accommodate the demands of students, teachers, remote workers, and others requesting private space. Because the meeting room is oftentimes unavailable, visitors are forced to use open public spaces on the Library floor to attend virtual classes, take tests, interview for jobs or to conduct personal business. Johnston County Library provides Internet access, devices and meeting space to numerous community members who have been historically disadvantaged. According to Census Report, 34% of children in Johnston County live in poverty, and 12% of senior citizens are in poverty. The library is their only place to access free internet to engage in remote learning, conduct remote work or access medical information portals.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

To measure project performance, statistics will be collected on library door count, meeting room use, Internet connections and program attendance. Because the libraries? Wi-Fi is available 24/7 these statistics can be gathered even after hours as many people continue to use the Internet from the parking lot when the library is closed. Additionally, digital resource use will be collected and documented monthly. Community surveys will be conducted to get input as well. Data will also be recorded using the ILS system SirsiDynix.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

One-time project will not need continued funding