RIT Libraries receives planning grant

RIT Libraries received a 2026 Institute of Museum and Library Services Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian planning grant for the project ”Building Workforce Capacity in Emerging Imaging Technologies for Library Professionals,” led by Greg Decker, manager of metadata and digital scholarship services, and Juilee Decker, director of the museum studies program. Project team members include Tom Rieger, Professor of Practice in the College of Liberal Arts Nicholas Paulus, digital initiatives specialist for RIT Libraries; Michael Buffalin IV, director of the SHED Makerspace; and peers from University of Rochester and Colgate University. The two-year project will assess workforce needs, develop and pilot openly licensed educational resources and training, and create a scalable model to help library professionals implement sustainable, standards-aligned digitization programs.