The Metadata Research Center, Drexel College of Computing & Informatics (CCI), in partnership with Montana State University Library, UC San Diego Library, and OCLC, has been awarded $887,154 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for the LIS Education and Data Science-Integrated Network Group (LEADING). LEADING is Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian (LB21) National Digital Infrastructures and Initiatives project that will build data science capacity through recruiting, training, and developing the library workforce.
The LEADING project will officially launch November 1, 2020, building off the highly successful LEADS initiative and extending the data science educational pipeline to a broader range of participants. LEADING will prepare a diverse, nationwide cohort of 50 LIS doctoral students and early to mid-career librarians for data science endeavors. LEADING’s model includes community hubs at Montana State University and UC San Diego, a co-educational hub at the global library cooperative, OCLC, and 14 member nodes that will serve as mentoring sites. Drexel University’s Metadata Research Center will also serve as the central-coordinating hub facilitating collaboration amongst all partners.
The LEADING community of hubs and nodes is further shaped by 19 mentors, with expertise across data science; a Diversity and Inclusivity Taskforce, guided by former LEADS fellows; and an Advisory Board of nationally recognized experts in data science, education, and community development. Together, the LEADING network of educators, researchers, library leaders, mentors, and fellows will advance and catalyze data science across libraries, archives, and intersecting information agencies.
LEADING PIs include Drexel Professors, Jane Greenberg (LEADING Project Director), Il-Yeol Song (Sr. Co-Lead), Weimao Ke, Erjia Yan, and Jake Williams; and Partner PIs, Kenning Arlitsch, Dean, Montana State University Library, and Professor; Erik Mitchell, Audrey Geisel University Librarian, UC San Diego Library; and Andrew K. Pace, Executive Director for Technical Research, OCLC. LEADING’s core team also includes Drexel University Professors Mat Kelly, Lei Wang, and Alex Poole; and Project Manager, Sam Grabus.
Please visit the LEADING website for more information about the network, and a full list of mentors, member nodes, as well as task force and advisory board members.
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Media Contacts:
Nikki Kolupailo
Communications & Engagement Director
UC San Diego Library
(858) 534-0667
nkolupailo@ucsd.edu