Spring Break
iSchool receives $2.5M to improve library technology
By: Marshall Fleming
Issue date: 7/27/07 Section: News
Originally published: 7/28/07 at 12:21 AM EST
Last update: 7/28/07 at 12:20 AM EST
Originally published: 7/28/07 at 12:21 AM EST
Last update: 7/28/07 at 12:20 AM EST
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The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced the recipients of its June 2007 Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant. Of the 43 grants awarded, two have been received by Drexel totaling $1,605,578 and will be matched by the University with an amount of $976,618 with the total amount reaching more than $2.5 million.
The goal of the project is to design a new generation of libraries and prepare future faculty in the field of information and library science.
"The IPL [Internet Public Library] is a combination of a public service organization and learning teaching environment that was founded at the University of Michigan in 1995," said Dr. Eileen Abels. Dr. Abels is the master's program director for the College of Information Science and Technology, and principal investigator of the project.
The various stages will take place over the next three years and will include creating "digital reference curricula". Items such as video clips and power point presentations would be available for teachers around the country. Another part will include creating an "online community" for interaction between students, mentors and teachers. The third component, which Abels will be in charge of, is figuring out what types of technology and what forms of communication should be included in the IPL.
The second grant, for the project titled "Developing Faculty in Digital Librarianship for the 21st Century" will attempt to "prepare new faculty who will be well trained in information systems and technologies, have the knowledge and skills to conduct research on digital libraries and related issues, and have the passion and expertise to educate the next generation of library professionals," according to the IMLS website.
Dr. Xia Lin, associate professor for the iSchool at Drexel in the College of Information Science and Technology, and principal investigator for the grant will work with Dr. Michael Atwood, Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Research, Dr. Katherine McCain, Professor, and Dr. Robert Allen, Associate Professor, to prepare five current IMLS fellows and anywhere from "four to six new Ph.D. students and prepare them to become new faculty on digital libraries and related fields," according to Joel Bryan, communications manager for the College of Information Science and Technology.
The goal of the project is to design a new generation of libraries and prepare future faculty in the field of information and library science.
"The IPL [Internet Public Library] is a combination of a public service organization and learning teaching environment that was founded at the University of Michigan in 1995," said Dr. Eileen Abels. Dr. Abels is the master's program director for the College of Information Science and Technology, and principal investigator of the project.
The various stages will take place over the next three years and will include creating "digital reference curricula". Items such as video clips and power point presentations would be available for teachers around the country. Another part will include creating an "online community" for interaction between students, mentors and teachers. The third component, which Abels will be in charge of, is figuring out what types of technology and what forms of communication should be included in the IPL.
The second grant, for the project titled "Developing Faculty in Digital Librarianship for the 21st Century" will attempt to "prepare new faculty who will be well trained in information systems and technologies, have the knowledge and skills to conduct research on digital libraries and related issues, and have the passion and expertise to educate the next generation of library professionals," according to the IMLS website.
Dr. Xia Lin, associate professor for the iSchool at Drexel in the College of Information Science and Technology, and principal investigator for the grant will work with Dr. Michael Atwood, Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Research, Dr. Katherine McCain, Professor, and Dr. Robert Allen, Associate Professor, to prepare five current IMLS fellows and anywhere from "four to six new Ph.D. students and prepare them to become new faculty on digital libraries and related fields," according to Joel Bryan, communications manager for the College of Information Science and Technology.
