The department of data science, college of information at the university of north texas will provide research to enhance library services for academic library users' multiple-literacy needs in the…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the University of North Texas Research and Innovation Division $856,318 on September 1, 2026, under the National Leadership Grants program (CFDA 45.312) to conduct research enhancing library services for undergraduate students' multi-literacy needs in the digital era.

The Department of Data Science at the College of Information will develop and validate a multi-literacy survey instrument to investigate undergraduate students' literacy needs and the academic library instructional services supporting student success. The project employs mixed methods including a literature review, open-ended survey questions, and focus groups with students. The survey instrument will be constructed, validated by experts, and subjected to statistical analysis, then reviewed by librarians and subject matter experts for its capacity to inform library instruction.

Performance occurs in Denton, Texas, with a period of performance from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029. The award is structured as a Project Grant and supports the National Leadership Grants program's purpose of advancing practice in the library profession through research findings, tools, and models that can be widely used, adapted, scaled, or replicated across institutions.

The department of data science, college of information at the university of north texas will provide research to enhance library services for academic library users' multiple-literacy needs in the digital ERA, strengthen student academic success, and contribute to the library's increased impact in its communities. This project supports the development and implementation of literacy practices in libraries, strengthening the capacity of libraries to provide services to users who are on track to take higher-paying jobs after completing their higher education training. This project will use mixed methods to investigate undergraduate students' multi-literacy needs and academic library instructional services offered to support student success. The project will construct and validate a multi-literacy survey instrument based on a literature review, open-ended question survey, and focus groups with students. The instrument will be validated with experts and statistical analysis. The survey will be reviewed by librarians and experts on the potential of library instruction.