EmPOWERing Access: Health, Legal, Education, and Virtual Connection in California Libraries
ADA accessible privacy booths
portable solar charging devices
repair toolkits
The Empowering Access program ended in September 2024.
About
The EmPOWERing Access: Health, Legal, Education, and Virtual Connection in California Libraries project provided:
- ADA accessible privacy booths
- Portable solar charging devices
- Repair toolkits
EmPOWERing Access was a partnership with the Southern California Library Cooperative. The project encouraged library users to connect with their community. It provided Californians new ways to access information at libraries and learn new skills.
All public libraries in California were eligible to apply. Priority for distribution of privacy pods was given to library branches serving communities experiencing higher poverty. Poverty rates were determined using the California Poverty Measure.
Results
In 2023–2024, 33 participating libraries received:
- 17 ADA accessible privacy booths
- 598 portable solar charging devices
- 525 repair toolkits
In 2023–2024, 26 participating libraries held 43 public programs with iFixit repair toolkits. Survey respondents noted:
- 89% learned something
- 84% feel more confident about and intend to apply what they learned
- 91% are more aware of resources and services libraries provide
- 87% are more likely to use other library resources and services
Libraries who hosted fix-it clinics or repair cafes using the repair toolkits noted:
We had an overwhelmingly positive response from our attendees, even from the few who were not actually successful in their repair.
Most of the write-in responses for what they liked most were showing feelings of pride and confidence that they were able to do the repairs themselves.
Participants mentioned that they liked seeing and knowing about all the different things that are available to loan besides books.
Contact
Wayne Walker, Southern California Library Cooperative