IMLS Awards U. of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science $99K Grant

From IMLS:

The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced today that the Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has been awarded a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program grant in the amount of $99,168 for “Inclusive Gigabit Libraries: Learn, Discuss, and Brainstorm.” With this IMLS support, GSLIS will hold a series of four continuing education forums to enhance understanding of how libraries can adopt and use next-generation Internet networks to address social inclusion through the organization US Ignite. “Including libraries in the US Ignite effort has tremendous promise,” said Susan Hildreth, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. “I am expecting great results from the upcoming forums.”
Professor Jon Gant, director of the proposed Center for Digital Inclusion at GSLIS and the principal investigator on the grant, said, “The project aims to help libraries develop applications and services that will meet the needs of the public, particularly underserved populations. Case studies will examine efforts to leverage ultra-high-speed Internet service to deliver socially inclusive library experiences that meet critical human development needs. The forums will give library leaders an opportunity to shape the next generation of the Internet.”
The forums will provide an opportunity to discuss current practices and needs in libraries and to brainstorm new applications or service models that take advantage of ultra-high-speed connectivity, ultimately resulting in better and more robust service to library patrons. The first forum will be held in October 2012 at the Library and Information Technology Association Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Subsequent forums will be held at the California Library Association meeting in November, the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition gathering held in March 2013, and the 2013 ALA Conference in Chicago.

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