Drexel university will lead efforts to strengthen workforce development and professional practice for librarians and archivists working with a rapidly expanding digital archival record

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded Drexel University $332,668 under the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (CFDA 45.313) on September 1, 2026, to convene archivists, librarians, and educators in a national forum on computational archival science and metadata practice. The award addresses fragmentation across institutions experimenting with computational and artificial intelligence methods in archival work by developing shared frameworks for workforce competencies, metadata practices, and infrastructure readiness. The project strengthens workforce development and professional practice for librarians and archivists managing a rapidly expanding digital archival record, recognizing that archives and library collections preserve documentary evidence of scientific discovery, innovation, and civic life. Performance occurs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a period of performance through February 29, 2028. As a Project Grant, this award is categorized as assistance funding.

Archives and library collections serve as a national treasure, preserving documentary evidence of scientific discovery, innovation, and civic life that have shaped the country. At the same time, the expanding scale of digital collections and advances in computational and artificial intelligence (AI) methods present both challenges and new opportunities. While many institutions are experimenting with computational approaches, these efforts often remain siloed, and the profession lacks shared frameworks for workforce competencies, metadata practices, and infrastructure readiness. The project will address this need by convening archivists, librarians, and educators in a national forum on computational archival science and metadata practice.