Catalyst Grant Final Report
OCPL Educational Toy Lending Libraries at Betts and Hazard Branch Libraries
Please provide a brief narrative explaining your project and its outcomes.
The OCPL Educational Toy Lending Libraries at Betts and Hazard Branch Libraries offered community members in the Valley and Tipp Hill neighborhoods of Syracuse the ability to borrow materials that help children develop fine motor skills while learning counting, shape and color recognition, time-telling, and letter identification. Literacy and learning prompts were affixed to each toy to aid caregivers in their use of materials. The aim of this project was to offer patrons, regardless of socio-economic status, the ability to engage children at home in play-based, directed, screen-free educational activities. This project got off to a slower start than anticipated due to staffing changes; but the collections are now well established at Betts and Hazard and will continue beyond the completion of this grant cycle. These toys have been well-received, and patrons have expressed appreciation for the ability to use them in-house and borrow them for home-use.
What is the most remarkable accomplishment or finding of your project?
The most noteworthy finding of this project at both branches was the wide age range drawn to these screen-free toys and manipulatives. Though the target age for these materials was preschool, staff at Betts and Hazard observed elementary-age, middle schoolers, and special needs adults utilizing the collection. Even with computers and screens nearby, patrons were genuinely curious about and often engrossed for long stretches of time with these “analog” objects – especially the tape measure, lacing toys, and giant clocks. It seems that within an ocean of screens and electronics, there is a general hunger for “unplugged” forms of play and learning.
How did your project differ from what you originally proposed?
This project differed from its original proposal in three key ways. First, the rollout for the Educational Toy Lending Library was significantly delayed at one branch, as children’s librarian Margaret Martin transferred from Soule to Betts Library in October of 2025. Hazard was able to launch its collection in December of 2025; but Betts’ program was delayed until late February 2026. Second, after patron feedback, both branches found that the original 1-week loan period was inconvenient for many families and therefore extended toy loan periods. And third, from speaking with patrons, staff observed that users largely overlooked or ignored the literacy and educational prompts on the toys.
Please provide a brief summary of your evaluation activities and/or results, if available.
Evaluation was conducted quantitatively and qualitatively. At both branches, circulation statistics were tracked for check-outs and in-house use. The staff at Betts and Hazard also engaged in qualitative assessment by informally polling users on their experiences with the materials. Through frequent face-to-face conversations with caregivers and children, the Betts and Hazard librarians were able to react to and make adjustments based on patron suggestions, as well as collect valuable data on play practices and user preferences.
Anything else you’d like us to know?
Betts and Hazard Libraries appreciate the financial support of CLRC and the opportunity to experiment, develop new ideas, and engage patrons in the assessment process.
Margaret Martin
Children’s Librarian, Betts Branch Library (OCPL)
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