# /research/publications/archive/releases/1999-09-24b.htm

originally: http://www.oclc.org/research/publications/archive/releases/1999-09-24b.htm

# ALISE to cosponsor research grants

DUBLIN, Ohio, Sept. 24, 1999--The Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE) has joined the OCLC Office of Research in promoting independent research by sponsoring grants for faculty in schools of library and information science.

The OCLC Library and Information Science Research Grants are now called OCLC/ALISE Library and Information Science Research Grants.

"ALISE is enthusiastic about the opportunity to co-sponsor with OCLC their Library and Information Science Research Grant Program," said Shirley Fitzgibbons, associate professor, Library and Information Science, Indiana University, and president of ALISE. "One of ALISE's priority goals is the promotion, dissemination and funding of research projects as seen in our own research awards programs. This collaborative effort will ensure greater participation and promotion of research by our faculty. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate."

"ALISE is the premier association for faculty in the area of library and information science," said Terry Noreault, vice president, Office of Research. "The experience and expertise of the ALISE membership will enhance and strengthen this grant program, benefiting all in the LIS community."

OCLC/ALISE Library and Information Science Research Grants for 1999 were awarded to four university researchers.

Allyson Carlyle, assistant professor, University of Washington, received a grant for "Clustering Fiction Works to Improve Online Catalog Displays." Dr. Carlyle's study will determine procedures for automatic clustering of records retrieved in online library catalog searches for works of fiction. Automatic clustering will contribute to efforts to ease the problem of information overload for system users.

Lois Mai Chan, professor, University of Kentucky, received a grant for "An LCSH-Based Controlled Vocabulary for the Dublin Core Metadata Record: A Feasibility Study." Dr. Chan's project will investigate the feasibility of devising a controlled vocabulary based on Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), with a simplified syntax, for use in the creation of Dublin Core metadata records. The goal is to retain the richness of vocabulary in LCSH while making the system easier to use and maintain.

John Richardson, professor, University of California, Los Angeles, received a grant for "An English-Russian Dictionary of LIS Terminology." Dr. Richardson's project proposes an up-to-date and comprehensive bilingual dictionary for scholars and library and information science professionals, which will increase scholarly access to professional literature. The objectives are: to set a standard for spelling, meaning and usage; to provide IPA pronunciation and real-time pronunciation; and to establish a historical record of LIS terminology.

James Sweetland, associate professor, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, received a grant for "Tracking the Viability of an Evaluation Tool for Public Library Adult Fiction: The Five-Year Mark." Dr. Sweetland's research will track changes in public library holdings for adult fiction over five years through WorldCat (the OCLC Online Union Catalog). This study will contribute to the understanding of the nature of adult fiction collections in public libraries, provide additional insight into the nature of a "classic" work of fiction, and clarify the potential utility of an OCLC-generated list of adult fiction classics for public library collection evaluation.

The OCLC/ALISE Library and Information Science Research Grant Program awards grants of up to $10,000 to foster quality research by faculty in schools of library and information science. Projects are generally completed within a year, and findings are published in the public domain and in the Annual Review of OCLC Research. Application materials for the grants are also available. For more information, contact the Office of Research by telephone at +1-614-764-6487 or by e-mail at diane_morris@oclc.org.