The IPL’s U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Grant

Project Title: "A Virtual Learning Laboratory for Digital Reference: Transforming the Internet Public Library"
Grant Awarded: Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant
Awarding Institution: U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
Grant Category: Programs to Build Insitutional Capacity
Award Amount: $613,478
Matching Amount: $667,618
Year Awarded: 2007

The Internet Public Library (IPL) is a public service organization founded at the University of Michigan and hosted by Drexel University. The iSchool at Drexel, College of Information Science and Technology (Dr. Eileen Abels and Dr. Denise Agosto), in collaboration with the School of Information at the University of Michigan and Florida State University College of Information (Dr. Lorri Mon), will transform the IPL into a fully-featured virtual learning laboratory for digital reference. Enhancements that will result from this grant include digital reference learning objects available to faculty in all Library and Information Science (LIS) programs accredited by the American Library Association (ALA); a laboratory with access to new technologies used to offer digital reference service; and a collaborative learning community for faculty, students, and working librarians. Consultants from the the University of Washington Information School (Dr. Joe Janes) and The School of Information Studies at Syracuse University (Dr. Dave Lankes) will also participate in the project. The project is funded by a $613,478 Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

Proposed Timeline for the IPL's U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Grant