Simmons SLIS

Join the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and panelists from Simmons University School of Library and Information Science on Wednesday, June 10, from 2-3 PM (EST) for “Core Connections: Emerging Trends in Public Library Services,” an online panel session on current and emerging trends in public library services.

This event, moderated by MBLC Consultant for Special Populations Allyson Dowds and featuring SLIS Associate Professor of Practice Cynthia Landrum, Assistant Professor Don Simmons, and Professor Amy Pattee, will explore real-world examples, challenges, and forward-looking strategies that are helping libraries respond to shifting community expectations and strengthen staff support.

Registration is required for this event. Learn more and register here! https://mblc.libcal.com/event/15526552

Project Oneness World’s latest interview features Dr. Diane Sonnenwald, Emerita Professor and Emerita Chair at the University College Dublin!

Sonnenwald is the creator of the information horizon theory, as well as the past president of the Association for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T). In her conversation with SLIS’ Dr. Naresh Agarwal, she discusses her career and contributions to the field of library and information science, as well as her experiences working in a male-dominated field.

Listen to the full interview here! https://slis.simmons.edu/projectonenessworld/diane-sonnenwald/

Congratulations to all 196 of our 2026 SLIS graduates!🎓 We're so proud of all of your achievements, and can't wait to see the great things you'll do!

📸Photos 1 and 2 by Alex Dawson

Check out Project Oneness World’s recent interview featuring Dr. Nicholas Belkin!

Dr. Belkin, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Information Science (Rutgers University), joins SLIS’ Dr. Naresh Agarwal in conversation about his life and career, experiences and principles, and key concepts he has contributed to the field of information science research.

Listen to the full interview here: https://slis.simmons.edu/projectonenessworld/nick-belkin/

What an amazing way to wrap up the semester! At our end-of-year celebration, we looked back on another great year at SLIS and recognized the incredible achievements of our 2026 student award recipients. We hope everyone has a great summer!

We are proud to announce that two SLIS alumni, Jessica N. Chapel and Katelyn Duncan, have been named 2026 Library Journal Movers & Shakers!

Jessica Chapel ‘19MS is Chief of Digital & Online Services at the Boston Public Library, and leads a pilot program exploring the use of AI in scaling digitization and archival cataloging. The program aims to expand the reach and impact of programs like Massachusetts’s Digital Commonwealth project while maintaining the BPL's ethical priorities and values.

Katelyn Duncan ’16MS, New Americans Librarian at the Worcester Public Library, supports her community by advocating for patrons, building the library’s World Languages collections, running monthly immigration clinics to connect patrons with services for the immigration process, and launching the library’s ESOL [English for Speakers of Other Languages] Navigator Program.

Click here to read more about this recognition from Library Journal, and the incredible impact of Chapel and Duncan’s work! https://www.simmons.edu/news/slis-alumnaei-named-movers-shakers

Join us in Chicago for the annual Simmons SLIS alumni reception at this year’s ALA Annual Conference! This year’s reception will be held at Fatpour Tap Works on Saturday, June 27, from 6-8 PM. See below for the full event details and link to RSVP—we hope to see you there!

Saturday, June 27
6-8 PM

Fatpour Tap Works
2206 S Indiana Ave
Chicago, IL 60616

�RSVP here!➡️ tinyurl.com/2026ALA-Reception

SLIS Professor Naresh Agarwal's interview series, Project Oneness World, gathers and shares human stories to inspire connection and knowledge sharing. Most recently, the series has featured a conversation with Dr. Ina Fourie, covering her experiences as a scholar of information behavior in healthcare contexts. Dr. Fourie is the current chair of the iSchools Organization, and has been a Full Professor, Head of Department of Information Science, and Chair of the School of Information Technology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Listen to the full interview and find out more about Project Oneness World here!
https://slis.simmons.edu/projectonenessworld/ina-fourie/