The University of Iowa was awarded a $494,444 project grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the National Leadership Grants (CFDA 45.312) program. The 3-year project, starting August 1, 2023, will assess the impacts of public libraries on community resilience across the United States. The assessment will explore how public libraries influence local economic and social outcomes, the programs they implement to address community stressors, and factors driving the...
The University of Maryland, in partnership with the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies and the Association of Rural and Small Libraries, received a $245,500 Project Grant award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the National Leadership Grants (CFDA 45.312) program. This 2-year project will enhance a field guide of essential tasks and develop training materials to prepare public library staff to support historically marginalized youth and families before, during,...
The University of Missouri, in partnership with Emporia State University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Kansas City Public Library, will host a two-day national forum under a $139,055 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services' (IMLS) Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (CFDA 45.313). The forum will bring together experts in addiction recovery, bibliotherapy, and community outreach to expand the role of public libraries in addressing alcohol use...
The Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis was awarded a $498,268 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) National Leadership Grants program (CFDA 45.312) to develop a social service prototype for rural libraries. The project will explore rural communities' evolving social needs and how rural libraries can address those needs, with the goal of broadening the role of library and information professionals in social services. The 3-year project, starting...
The University of Alabama's School of Library and Information Studies and Chicago State University's Department of Computer, Information, and Mathematical Science and Technology were awarded a $666,088 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the National Leadership Grants program. The award will support a partnership with multiple state and public libraries to study and build the capabilities of public librarians and select communities to lead civic...
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded a $547,779 Project Grant under the National Leadership Grants for Museums (CFDA 45.312) program to Florida State University's School of Information. This 3-year grant, running from August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2027, will fund research on the hiring practices and evaluative measures used by public libraries when hiring social workers. The project aims to investigate the primary skills sought in hiring library social workers, how these...
The University of Washington's Information School and Center for an Informed Public will develop a comprehensive, nationwide information literacy program to increase the capacity of public library staff and community members to address and navigate misinformation. The project team will consolidate and modify existing research and resources to develop a broad portfolio of research-informed information literacy products. They will also create a series of misinformation seminars and a community...
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign received a $150,000 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the National Leadership Grants (CFDA 45.312) program. The purpose of this two-year project is to conduct a preliminary investigation into partnerships between libraries and community emergency response. Key focus areas include: 1) types of emergencies that libraries have responded to in the past; 2) scope and nature of library-community partnerships; and 3) the...
The University of Kentucky Research Foundation received a $445,281.00 National Leadership Grants (CFDA 45.312) project grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to research how public libraries respond to book challenges and bans in their communities. In partnership with the University of Illinois, the research team will explore library director awareness of American Library Association best practices, adherence to those practices, the impact of deviating from them, and how...
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded a $249,962 National Leadership Grant to Portland State University's Geography Department. The project will develop the capacity of public libraries to serve as key partners in local geographic information system (GIS) data ecosystems. Key activities include: Conducting in-person and online training for teams of librarians and GIS professionals. Establishing funding and providing support for local GIS projects. Creating a community of...