Graduate School of Library and Information Science News

(May 21, 2013) -- Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science is still accepting applications for its Post-Master's Digital Stewardship Certificate and Instructional Technology Licensure, and Continuing Education programs that begin Fall 2013

(May 14, 2013) -- Marta Crilly '11LS and Kristen Swett '98LS, assistant archivists for the City of Boston, worked to preserve the fragile messages that are part of a makeshift Boston Marathon memorial in Copley Square. Posters and paper chains were disentangled from the fences and will be moved to the city archives in West Roxbury where they will be catalogued, photographed, and shelved in special acid-free folders and boxes.

Full story.

(May 14, 2013) -- Dean Emerita and Professor Michèle Cloonan is editor-in-chief of the new Preservation, Digital Technology and Culture, previously titled Microform and Digitization Review. The revamped publication has a stronger focus on digitization and preservation issues involving multiple types of cultural heritage institutions.

Full story.

(May 14, 2013) -- Laura Miller '08LS, who was hired as a new children's librarian at the Charlestown Branch of the Boston Public Library last fall, has been busy launching new programs for children. These include tutoring sessions, a new "reading readiness" program, and holiday-themed storytelling events.

Check out Laura's Q&A with the Charlestown Patch.

(May 9, 2013) -- Courtney Louise Young, head librarian at the J. Clarence Kelly Library at Penn State Greater Allegheny, has been elected as 2014-15 president of the American Library Association (ALA).

full story. (pennstate.edu)

(April 2013) - Video about supporting GSLIS and The Simmons Fund for GSLIS.

View Video.

(March 27, 2013) -- Message from President Drinan: I am very pleased to announce that Eileen G. Abels, Ph.D., a longtime library and information science practitioner and educator with a specialty in digital reference education and remote reference services, is the new dean of the Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS). Her appointment begins July 1.

(March 12, 2013) -- The Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) has been ranked among the nation's top 10 schools of library and information studies in the new U.S.News & World Report 2014 edition of "Best Graduate Schools."

full story. (simmons.edu)

(March 11, 2013) -- A new children's librarian took over at the Charlestown Branch of the Boston Public Library recently—Laura Miller '08LS, a Fenway resident who got her library science degree here in Boston at Simmons College, was hired in November and has been busy launching new programs for kids at the local library. This week alone, she is hosting a visit with special guest Seamus the dog, two story times, an Irish storytelling and book giveaway and a princess party.

full story. (Charlestown Patch)

School of Library and Information Science Alumni Board Announces the 2012 – 2013 Alumni Achievement Award Call for Nominations

Submission deadline: December 16, 2012

The Simmons College GSLIS Alumni Board is soliciting nominations of Simmons College GSLIS graduates for the 2012 Alumni Achievement Award. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to share your work with others and to honor a colleague in the field.
The award winner will be recognized at the GSLIS After Dark Alumni Night celebration on April 3, 2013.

(October 5, 2012) -- The GSLIS Alumni Executive Board invites you to fill out a survey so that they can best serve our broad alumni community.

take survey.

(October 5, 2012) -- Matthew Baker '11LS published an article, "Technology Criticism for Technophiles," in the August 2012 issue of Public Services Quarterly.

full story.

(October 5, 2012) -- Ellen Grabiner, professor of communications, published I See You: The Shifting Paradigms of James Cameron's Avatar, which explores the provocative questions the film raises about the relationship between mind and body, appearance and reality.

full story.

(July 31, 2012) -- Faculty, students, and friends of Simmons GSLIS report on conferences, activities, and projects around the globe.

Dispatches from the Field blog.

(July 30, 2012) -- Assistant Prof. Rebecca Morris was interviewed by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard EdCast. The podcast is about issues in education. Morris talked about her work at GSLIS and today's school libraries and librarians.

Listen to the podcast.

(July 10, 2012) -- Toni Kaus '88LS retired and turned over leadership of the Prescott Public Library to longtime Deputy Library Director Roger Saft on June 18.

Kaus' 10 years as library director culminated a 23-year career at the Prescott Library, which began when she took on the assistant library director position in 1989.

Prior to that, Kaus received her master's degree in library and information science at Simmons College in Boston.

full story. (The Daily Courier)

(June 14, 2012) -- LIT Library hosted the International Conference on Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries (QQML) May 22-25, 2012 in the Absolute Hotel Limerick. The Conference was officially opened by Major of Limerick Cllr Jim Long.  

Keynote Speaker at the Conference was Ching-chih Chen a leading expert and speaker in the field of Digital Information Management and Technology.  Mrs. Chen is Professor Emerita of Simmons College, Boston and President of a non-profit organization, Global Connection and Collaboration, Inc.  A sought-after international speaker in over two dozen countries, she has delivered keynote speeches and made presentations at numerous international conferences including those in countries like Argentina, China, Croatia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Morocco, Russia, Spain, Singapore, South Africa, Swaziland, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, Vietnam etc.

full story. (libraries.ie)

(June 14, 2012) -- Olivia Gatti '07LS has taken over as the new youth services librarian. She formerly worked for the Westwood Public School System for two years.

full story. (newburyportnews.com)

(June 8, 2012) -- Reminder: The application deadline for the Fall 2012 fully online Instructional Technology Licensure program is July 16.

For more information, or to apply.

(June 6, 2012) -- Street Lab assembles a temporary reading room at the Children's Museum. Students from the library science program at Simmons College helped Street Lab curate a collection of books that would attract the attention of a multigenerational audience, from children to grandparents.

full story. (boston.com)

(May 29, 2012) -- Jay Scherma '82LS, known by colleagues for his leadership in the changing world of public libraries, was presented the Maine Outstanding Librarian award for 2012 during the annual Maine Library Association conference last weekend in Orono.

full story. (The Portland Press Herald)

(May 23, 2012) -- The Newton Library Trustees announced they have appointed Milton Library Director Phil McNulty '81LS as the new director at the Newton Free Library. 

full story. (Newton Patch.com)

(May 23, 2012) -- Pelham Public Library gets a fresh start with a new library director. Trustees have announced Corinne Chronopoulos '09LS has accepted the job.

full story.  (Eagle-Tribune)

(May 11, 2012) -- Steven Booth was chosen among dozens of great applicants as the recipient of the 2012 Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship, sponsored by the Freedom to Read Foundation. As the Conable Scholarship recipient, Booth will have his registration, travel, housing, and other expenses paid to the 2012 American Library Association Annual Conference. The conference will be June 21-26 in Anaheim.

full story. (OIF Blog)

(May 11, 2012) -- Mary L. Chute '92LS, deputy director for Libraries at the Institute of Museum and Library Services, has been selected as the next New Jersey State Librarian and will begin a new chapter as leader of the New Jersey State Library in July.

full story.

(May 9, 2012) -- Nearly 100 GSLIS alumni gathered on the Simmons campus April 6 for "GSLIS After Dark: An Evening of Recognition and Connection." The event in the Linda K. Paresky Conference Center included a wine and cheese reception followed by a dinner program that featured remarks by Dean Michèle V. Cloonan, the presentation of the 2012 GSLIS Alumni Achievement Award, and the GSLIS Alumni Board business meeting.

(April 26, 2012) -- GSLIS is launching three fully online programs this year, and applications are still being accepted for the two programs that start this coming fall: Master's Degree/Archives Concentration, and Instructional Technology Licensure. Our Post-Master's Digital Stewardship Certificate program begins this summer (applications were accepted through April 24). These programs, together with online continuing education workshops happening throughout the year, make it possible for GSLIS to offer a variety of online options for learners in different stages of their professional careers.

(April 11, 2012) -- Pamela Burch '87LS is the new director at the Paul Memorial Library in Newfields, NH.

full story.

(April 5, 2012) -- As director of LSCM, Jane Sánchez '76LS will provide management support for implementation of strategic programs and operations in the Federal Depository Library Program, in partnership with depository libraries and in collaboration with other GPO business units.

full story.

(April 5, 2012) -- Sarah Ludwig '05LS left the library, became a tech coordinator, and forged a path to the future. While she isn't called a librarian, a lot of the work that Sarah does with students and faculty is very similar to—or, in some cases, identical to—what school librarians do.

full story. (The Digital Shift)

(April 2, 2012) -- WT Cox Subscriptions announces Sue Wolfman '75LS, as New England Regional Director of Sales. A long-time resident of Massachusetts, Sue brings over 30 years of extensive library experience, including 10 years as a sales representative for a large subscription agency and as a member services consultant for a library consortia organization, Sue will service academic, corporate, school, public and special libraries within the New England region.

Read more. (newstimes.com)

March 22, 2012 -- Lee Regan '91LS has been selected by the panel of judges as the Plymouth Woman's Club Woman of the Month for March.

full story. (Wicked Local Plymouth)

(February 23, 2012) -- Most everyone has a dream job. For many, it's anything but what they are doing. For a lucky few it is exactly what they are doing.  On March 5, when Lisa Carr '02LS takes over as director of Seymour Library, she will have her dream job.

"To be director of the library in my community — I don’t think it can get any better," Carr said.

Carr graduated from the University of New Hampshire and went to work for Blue Cross Blue Shield in Maine. After 10 years she decided to pursue a master's degree in library science at Simmons.

Read more. (syracuse.com)

(January 26, 2012) -- In January, Simmons brought in a group of 17 professionals to meet with faculty and staff of the Graduate School of Library and Information Science. This Blue Ribbon Panel of esteemed professionals in the higher education and LIS fields included academics from Harvard University, MIT, Brown University and Syracuse University, as well as professionals representing a variety of fields including social media and architecture.

(January 20, 2012) -- There's a new face at the Lower Mills Library. Angela Bonds '10GS is finding her stride as the branch's children's librarian. A Roxbury native, she worked at the Central Library in Copley Square for 13 years.

As a student at Boston Latin Academy, Bonds worked with friends after school, often racing each other to shelve a cartful of books. She also worked at the circulation desk, which became a favorite task for the shy teenager.

Bonds earned a bachelor's degree in history at Framingham State University and a master's degree in Library and Information Science at Simmons, taking classes part-time and working full-time.

full story. (dotnews.com)

(January 3, 2012) -- Rhonda Allison Rios Kravitz '79LS, the dean of the Learning Resources Center at Sacramento City College, is among 10 librarians from around the country to recently win the I Love My Librarian Award, a program established in 2008. It recognizes librarians "for their service to their communities, schools and campuses" and comes with a plaque and a $5,000 cash prize. It's jointly sponsored by three major players – the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the New York Times, and the American Library Association.

Kravitz has been the Learning Resources Center dean since 2007. Among her degrees are a master's in library science from Simmons and a doctorate in public administration from the University of Southern California.

full story.

(December 16, 2011) -- The Redwood Library's Search Committee has unanimously chosen Jennifer Tuleja '95LS to be its next Executive Director, to start on June 1, 2012. Tuleja received a BA in History and Art History from U. Mass Amherst, an MLS concentrating in Archives Management from Simmons College, and a Masters in Education from Indiana University.

The Redwood Library and Athenæum was established in 1747 by Abraham Redwood and a group of his friends and associates. It is the oldest lending library in America, and the oldest library building in continuous use in the country.

full story.

(December 7, 2011) -- The Audre Lord to Howard Zinn Library at Occupy Boston is inside a U.S. Army surplus tent on the edge of the dozens of tents that make up the Dewey Square site. It's complete with a smoke hole to vent a woodstove, and when you peel open the flaps of the faded green canvas and walk inside, you half expect to see Hawkeye Pierce perched over his still, offering you a drink.

full story.

(November 29, 2011) -- The Thayer Public Library has named Assistant Director Terri Stano '97LS as the new library director, effective this Thursday. Stano has served as the assistant director for the library for almost two years, previously being employed as the circulation librarian. According to a release, Stano joined the staff after working at several local libraries, putting her graduate work at Simmons College to use in numerous areas of managing professional libraries.

Read more. (boston.com)

(November 2, 2011) -- The Graduate School of Library and Information Science Alumni Board announces the 2011 – 2012 Alumni Achievement Award call for nominations. Submission Deadline: December 16, 2011.

(October 31, 2011) -- Area law firm Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas, LLP (Bulkley Richardson) is pleased to announce that its law librarian, Katherine K. Coolidge '04LS of Belchertown, was elected president of the Law Librarians of New England (LLNE).

(October 23, 2011) -- The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) is pleased to announce that Shelley Quezada, Consultant for the Underserved, is the 2011 winner of the New England Library Association's (NELA) Emerson Greenaway Award for Distinguished Service in Librarianship. Ms. Quezada was honored at NELA's annual conference banquet on October 2, 2011 where she was presented with the award by NELA's past President Rick Taplin.

full story (Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners website).

(September 19, 2011) -- Simmons announced that Michèle Cloonan, dean of the Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS), will step down at the end of this academic year. Cloonan, who served 10 years as dean, will continue her scholarly work at Simmons as a researcher and professor, specializing in the preservation of cultural heritage and book trade history.

(September 1, 2011) -- full blog.

(September 1, 2011) -- The American Library Association has a new president. Molly Raphael, former director of libraries at Multnomah County Library in Portland, OR, and the District of Columbia Public Library in Washington, DC, began her 2011-2012 term in June.

full story.

(Summer 2011) -- GSLIS Professor and Director of the Archives Program Jeannette Bastian was reappointed by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to a second term as a commissioner on the Boston City Archives Council.

GSLIS InfoLink.

In the latest example of the growing influence of Wikipedia, the Archives announced Wednesday that it had selected Dominic McDevitt-Parks '11LS as its first liaison to the community-editable encyclopedia.

McDevitt-Parks, a dual history and archives management masters degree student at Simmons College in Boston, called himself a "history buff, a word nerd, a news junkie, and an occasional pedant" in an Archives blog post.

Read article on Huffington Post.

(November 15, 2010) -- The Simmons College GSLIS Alumni Board is soliciting nominations of Simmons College GSLIS graduates for the 2011 Alumni Achievement Award by December 17, 2010. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to share your work with others and to honor a colleague in the field. Award winner will be recognized at the GSLIS Alumni Night celebration on April 28, 2011.

(October 12, 2010) -- The U.S. Senate recently voted to confirm GSLIS Instructor Mary Minow to serve on the National Museum and Library Services Board.

(August 26, 2010) -- We are looking for mentors! If you are interested in donating your time and being a mentor to GSLIS students for the Speed Networking event.

(June 28, 2010) -- The U.S. Senate recently voted to confirm GSLIS alumnus Winston Tabb '72LS, to serve on the National Museum and Library Services Board.

(June 24, 2010) -- Grecia Álvarez '10LS, a 2010 graduate of the Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS), recently received a Fulbright Award. The Fulbright is one of the world's most prestigious awards and provides grants for international educational exchange for scholars, educators, graduate students, and professionals.

(May 6, 2010) -- President Barack Obama recently announced his intent to nominate Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) Instructor Mary Minow to serve on the National Museum and Library Services Board. The nomination requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

(May 3, 2010) -- GSLIS has received a grant of $138,182 from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) for the project "Building an Archives & Preservation Digital Curriculum Laboratory."

In honor of this Olympic season, Simmons GSLIS takes a look at how things are north of the border. Or, actually, how things are on this side of the border from the perspective of a couple of north-of-the-border GSLIS folks. And also how things compare from north to south. Eh? What does all that mean?
See the February InfoLink for yourself.

(January 22, 2010) -- President Obama plans to nominate Winston Tabb '72LS to serve as a member on the National Museum and Library Services Board according to a statement released by the White House Tuesday evening. Tabb oversees all the university's libraries and the University's two museums, Homewood Museum and Evergreen Museum. If confirmed by the Senate, Tabb would join 19 other presidentially-appointed members who advise the Institute of Museum and Library Services on policy and practice. Tabb was nominated with Carla D. Hayden, a fellow Baltimore library director who serves as the CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library.

(December 16, 2009) -- GSLIS has received a grant of $455,639 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for the project "Curriculum, Cooperation, Convergence, Capacity — Four C's for the Development of Cultural Heritage Institutions."

(November 10, 2009) -- The U.S. Senate recently voted to confirm David S. Ferriero '74LS, a GSLIS alumnus, as archivist of the United States at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Ferriero was nominated by President Barack Obama in July.

(July 30, 2009) -- The White House announced this week that President Barack Obama has sent to the Senate his nomination of Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science Alumnus David S. Ferriero '74LS for Archivist of the United States National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

(June 18, 2009) -- Professors Jeannette Bastian, Ross Harvey, and Martha Mahard have been awarded an IMLS grant.

(May 28, 2009) -- In July, Courtney Young '97LS will begin her three-year term on the American Library Assocation (ALA) Executive Board, an elected distinction granted to only twelve members concurrently. She was one of two new members elected by the ALA Council in a vote taken at the 2009 ALA Midwinter Meeting held in Denver.

(May 1, 2009) -- The GSLIS event featured a special afternoon program honoring the life of Professor Allen Smith. Dean Michèle Cloonan and Former President Daniel S. Cheever led a toast to tribute Professor Smith.

(April 30, 2009) -- On Thursday, June 4, GSLIS and SOM will together offer their first joint program, a leadership breakfast from 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.

(April 24, 2009) -- U.S. News & World Report rankings for Library and Information Studies (LIS) programs were just released. LIS programs are only ranked every three years. Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science moved to number 10 from number 13 in 2006.

(April 16, 2009) -- The family of former Graduate School of Library and Information Science Professor Allen Smith has made a $1 million gift from his estate to pay tribute to Dr. Smith's 30-year Simmons career.

(March 26, 2009) -- Organizations need to be more flexible in the face of changing environments, and everyone has to do more with less.

The February InfoLink is now available for download at:
http://web.simmons.edu/~lislive/infolink/

(January 30, 2009) -- Assistant Professor Daniel N. Joudrey has just published his first book. The Organization of Information (3rd ed.), co-written with Arlene G. Taylor, is *the* textbook for information organization, used by students in LIS programs everywhere.

(October 31, 2008) -- Ruth Leonard '28, '94HD passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 29, in the early morning hours, at the age of 102.

(October 30, 2008) -- Jane Gepfert Hawes '85LS, a member of the 1899 Society, recently made a $50,000 commitment to enable a student at the Graduate School of Library and Information Science to take advantage of the same opportunities she had at Simmons.

(October 15, 2008) -- Congratulations to GSLIS alums Rebecca Metzger '06, Hagar Shirman '08, and Tracy Sutherland '05 for being named in ALA's most recent group of Emerging Leaders.

Click here for the full story. (Marlborough Enterprise)

(September 2008) -- As the information world becomes increasingly digital, the options for LIS graduates have expanded exponentially.

Listed here are GSLIS news articles from 2008 and earlier.