August 31, 2026
Four SCI faculty members—Frances Corry, Aakash Gautam, Eleanor Mattern, and Rebecca Morris—were awarded Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS) grants. Established in 1996, the IMLS supports libraries, archives, and museums in all 50 states and U.S. territories.
The Lifecycles of Rapid Response Collecting: Ensuring Long Term Futures for Event-Based Collections
Frances Corry, Assistant Professor, Department of Information Culture and Data Stewardship
Dr. Corry is leading an Early Career Research project examining rapid response collecting (RRC)—the archival practice of gathering materials during or immediately after crises and major events. The study will explore the history of contemporaneous collecting in archival professions, how professionals envision RRCs' long-term use, and how institutions can build capacity for their sustained stewardship through archival education. Ultimately, the project aims to advance understanding of how RRCs can sustainably document events central to telling community stories.
Advancing AI Literacy Through Public Libraries: The Civic Algorithmic Sandbox
Aakash Gautam, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Department of Information Culture and Data Stewardship
Eleanor Mattern, Teaching Associate Professor, Department of Information Culture and Data Stewardship
Through the National Leadership Grants for Libraries program, Drs. Gautam and Mattern plan to develop the Civic Algorithmic Sandbox, a library-based AI literacy initiative featuring AlgoHub (an interactive simulation platform), librarian training curriculum, and community knowledge documentation focused on public services, aimed at helping the public understand how government agencies use data-driven decision tools. The initiative works directly with public library staff at the Western Allegheny Community Library in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, alongside library patrons who will help shape AlgoHub through design feedback and community listening sessions. The project explores both the knowledge and support librarians need to facilitate engagement with government decision systems, as well as what community members already know about these algorithmic public services and what they want to know.
Exploring and Amplifying School Library Services for Young Learners
Rebecca Morris, Teaching Professor, Department of Information Culture and Data Stewardship (co-PI)
Maria Cahill, Professor, University of Kentucky (Project Director, co-PI)
Dr. Morris, alongside Dr. Cahill, will conduct research examining how school libraries currently serve PreK children's learning needs, the challenges they face, and which service elements are most valued by educators, parents, and children themselves. The project begins with a nationwide survey and follow-up interviews to assess current practices and obstacles, then moves to a multi-site case study exploring what stakeholders prioritize in PreK library services. The findings will be used to develop practical materials and recommendations for improving school library programs for PreK learners. This project is also through the National Leadership Grants for Libraries program.
Please join us in congratulating Drs. Corry, Gautam, Mattern, and Morris on this achievement!
The Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. They advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow them on Facebook and X/Twitter.