IMLS Grant
Sunday, 16 October 2011 21:38
"Supporting the Infrastructure Needs of 21st Century School Library Programs" IMLS Grant Awarded for $434,231.
PSLA in partnership with HSLC, the Education Law Center of PA, and RSL Research Group (Keith Curry Lance), with assistance from the University of Pittsburgh's School of Information Sciences (Dr. Kay Biagini) has been awarded an IMLS (Institute of Museums and Library Service) National Leadership grant to conduct research on school libraries in Pennsylvania. The research conducted by Keith Curry Lance and his associates will use the recent Pennsylvania survey data and conduct new research on what it costs to provide levels of staffing, budgets, collections, technology, access/hours, and professional development in school libraries that result in increased student achievement. University of Pitt students will assist Dr. Lance and help with focus groups to solicit input from librarians, teachers, and administrators. HSLC, the lead applicant, will manage the finances of the project and maintain the project website - a communication strategies toolkit of ideas and examples for sharing research and reaching out to stakeholder groups. The Education Law Center, a legal and education organization that works on behalf of Pennsylvania's special needs students, will use their media and communications staff to publish and market school library research in more understandable ways for the general public and will use their network of established contacts among education, business, and community organizations to communicate the results. The competitive grant, one of 48 awarded nationally, will begin November 1, 2011. Deb Kachel, the lead grant writer, will be the Project Director.