For immediate release           From: Susan Haine, 215.895.6271

iSchool Researcher Receives $47,621 IMLS Grant

PHILADELPHIA  (August 9, 2010) - Libraries, museums, and archives use knowledge organization systems to index, organize, and enhance access to information and cultural resources. However, these systems' components usually are not well integrated or interoperable across systems or disciplines. iSchool Associate Professor, Dr. Xia Lin is addressing this issue, and was recently awarded a $47,621 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which will fund planning for the project "Exploring Common Tools for Meaningful Concept Displays." 

"iSchool at Drexel faculty are committed to developing some of the most cutting edge research in the field of information science and technology," said Dean David E. Fenske. "Planning grants allow our researchers to ensure that their projects are viable, attainable, effective, and address issues that affect the real world." 

Through this project, The iSchool at Drexel, College of Information Science and Technology and its partners, the University at Buffalo and the Getty Research Institute, will bring together library, archives, and museum practitioners, researchers, and domain experts to discuss current practices and problems with knowledge organization systems. These participants will plan a research and action agenda to guide future work on more meaningful, useful, and interoperable knowledge organization systems. Proof-of-concept prototypes of improved knowledge organization system components also will be developed. 

"We believe that information search and making sense of the information found can be much improved by helping users gain a fuller understanding of the conceptual space around their questions or problems - semantics for the masses," the researchers stated in their project abstract. 

If funded after the planning period is complete, the researchers will work toward creating practical and customizable interfaces to bridge terminology services with real-world digital collections and applications. The main focus is to support easy navigation through visual displays of concept relationships. The period for the planning grant will be from August 2010 through July 2011.


Founded in 1892, The iSchool at Drexel educates students in information science and technology at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels and features Drexel University's Cooperative Education program. The College's mission is to unite technology, people, and information to make a fundamental difference in tomorrow's knowledge society. The iSchool at Drexel is a founding member of the iSchools Caucus of more than 25 prominent colleges dedicated to immersing students in the iField - connecting people, information and technology. For more information visit www.ischool.drexel.edu.