Simmons SLIS

This spring, the SLIS AI Task Force and IS&T Lab’s three-part event series “Beyond the Hype and Fear: Conversations on AI Ethics and LIS” explored key ethical issues related to AI, including bias, privacy and data, labor and power dynamics, and the environment.

Facilitated by SLIS faculty members including Dean Sanda Erdelez, Assistant Professor Don Simmons Jr., Professor Naresh Agarwal, and Assistant Professor Mei Zhang, this series fostered discussion of ethical considerations impacting AI adoption and AI’s growing role in the LIS field. Across three sessions, 48 total participants shared reflections on their experiences with AI, creating space for thoughtful conversations about AI within the SLIS community. Be sure to keep an eye out for additional events from the SLIS AI Task Force in Fall 2026!

Are you attending the upcoming ALA 2026 Annual Conference in Chicago, from June 25-29? Remember to come visit SLIS in booth #4837 in the Exhibit Hall, and join us for the annual SLIS alumni reception at Fatpour Tap Works on Saturday, June 27, from 6-8 PM. We can't wait to see you all there!

Please join us via zoom for the SLIS Annual All-Alumnae/i Association Meeting on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting will include a report from the SLIS Dean Dr. Sanda Erdelez, the 2026-2029 SLIS Strategic Plan, and voting for leadership roles and new At-Large Directors.

3 At-Large Director positions are open on the SLIS Alumnae/i Governing Board—please email the SLIS Dean's Office ([email protected]) your nominations and self-nominations with a brief explanation of your interest.

RSVP and join here: https://tinyurl.com/SLIS-AM26

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/