The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded $755,000 to the Penn State University Libraries in support of an extensive study of digital image delivery.

The goal of the Visual Image User Study is to examine the use of digital pictures at Penn State.

The plan will contribute information to digital library development.

The first phase of the project will analyze several assessment methods from different studies in an attempt to research the future needs of teachers, learners and archival managers.

The research also includes the development and testing of a prototype system for image delivery.

The activities will begin in May 2001 and will continue for 26 months.

A summary of the project can be found at www.libraries.psu.edu/crsweb/vius.