Several iSchool researchers will be playing an active role in projects that recently received funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
The iSchool at Illinois will partner with the University of Kentucky’s School of Information Science on the project, "Public Libraries' Responses to Censorship: Analyzing the Implementation and Effects of Standard Practices," which received a $449,118 grant (IMLS LG-254856-OLS-23). Shannon M. Oltmann at Kentucky will serve as principal investigator, with Associate Professor Emily Knox serving as co-principal investigator. The project will explore how public libraries respond to book challenges and bans in their communities.
Illinois is part of a coalition of eight iSchools that will examine how to best position LIS programs to lead the field and future of libraries. The University of Washington will lead the project, which was awarded a $149,832 grant (IMLS RE-253680-OLS-23). Maria Bonn, associate professor and director of the MSLIS program, will represent the iSchool at Illinois on the project team.
The Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Library was awarded a $150,000 grant (IMLS LG-254819-OLS-23) for the project, "Libraries as Partners for Emergency Response and Preparedness in Times of Crisis." The IFSI, iSchool, and Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI) will investigate partnerships between libraries and community emergency response. Lian Ruan, iSchool research affiliate and IFSI head librarian, will serve as project director. iSchool researchers and their roles on the project also include Assistant Professor Jessie Chin, research director; Teaching Assistant Professor Sharon Comstock, coordinator for the advisory committee and national advisory board; and Adjunct Lecturer and CARLI Director Anne Craig, member engagement coordinator.
