The Association of Research Libraries, in collaboration with Ithaka S+R, has been awarded a grant by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) National Leadership Grants Program to study how libraries, archives, and museums are sustaining digitized special collections. The two-year study builds upon past work examining sustainability of digital resources done by Ithaka S+R.

The project launched November 1, 2010, and is scheduled to be completed by October 30, 2012. See the abbreviated project schedule below.

Project activities under this cooperative agreement will include a survey of digitized special collections and focused interviews with leaders and project staff responsible for digitized special collections in selected cultural heritage organizations. The study's final report of lessons learned, recommendations, and cases will be freely shared through the partners' websites, a webcast, and conference presentations.

For more details and archives of the project webcasts, visit the Ithaka S+R project website.

—Project Lead, Association of Research Libraries, Judy Ruttenberg
—Project Lead, Ithaka S+R, Nancy Maron

Abbreviated Schedule of Completion

Phase 1

• November–December 2010
  Set up advisory board

• March 2011–January 2012
  Develop, test, deploy, and analyze survey

Phase 2

• January–August 2012
  Select case study subjects, interview subjects, and analyze results

Phase 3

• September–October 2012
  Develop summary report

• October 2012
  Publish report