The university of michigan school of information will implement a three-year early career development research project

The University of Michigan School of Information will conduct a three-year early career development research project funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (CFDA 45.313). Awarded on October 1, 2025, with total obligations of $667,509, the project will be led by Dr. Rebecca D. Frank and will examine how stakeholders in the CoreTrustSeal (CTS) digital repository certification process understand and construct the concept of risk, and how this understanding influences preservation actions and perceptions of certification value.

The project will deliver multiple products and services through semi-structured interviews with CTS stakeholders, comparative case studies of two certified repositories, and an evaluation of the CTS system using Becker's Assessment Framework. Primary deliverables include scholarly publications documenting research findings; guidelines specifically designed for under-resourced institutions seeking CTS certification; and educational modules for library and information science (LIS) students and practitioners. These outputs will benefit stakeholders within the CTS system, digital preservation practitioners, smaller institutions pursuing certification, and LIS professionals, while advancing the theoretical foundation of repository certification and risk assessment in digital preservation through September 30, 2028.

DR. Rebecca D. Frank will examine how stakeholders in the coretrustseal (CTS) digital repository certification process understand and construct the concept of risk. The study investigates how participants' understanding of risk influences preservation actions and their perception of certification value. Research activities include semi-structured interviews with CTS stakeholders, comparative case studies of two certified repositories, and an evaluation of the CTS system using becker's assessment framework. Expected deliverables include scholarly publications, guidelines for under-resourced institutions seeking certification, and educational modules for LIS students and practitioners. The project will benefit stakeholders in the CTS system, digital preservation practitioners more broadly, smaller institutions seeking certification, and LIS students, while contributing to the theoretical foundation of repository certification and risk assessment in digital preservation.