Simmons University School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) Year in Review 2021

SCHOOL OF LIBRARY & INFORMATION SCIENCE

2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

Contents 2 4 5 7 8

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Message from SLIS Director Mission, Vision SLIS By The Numbers for 2021 Graduate programs, Concentrations, Certifcates, Doctoral Faculty Highlights

/ Faculty Achievements 12 / Achievements at Simmons 14 / Student Highlights 16 / Alumae/i Highlights 11

MESSAGE FROM SLIS DIRECTOR In 2021, SLIS students and faculty rose to many challenges while learning and teaching under the conditions of COVID-19.

We also joyfully celebrated important successes and recognitions. In Spring 2021, the SLIS Archives Management concentration was ranked number one in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report, while our MS Library and Information Science Program was eleventh, putting us among the top LIS programs in the country. Three SLIS faculty members were elected to lead prominent LIS organizations: Naresh Agarwal, Associate Professor and Director of the Information Science & Technology Concentration, is the President of the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T);

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SLIS Year in Review 2021

MESSAGE FROM SLIS DIRECTOR

Rong Tang, Professor and Co-Director of the SLIS Doctoral Program, is the President-elect of the Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE); and I am the Chair-elect of the iSchool Organization.

Thanks to campus renovations that took place largely during the pandemic, the One Palace Road building opened to in-person learning this fall with a newly renovated space for all divisions in the College of Organizational, Computational, and Information Sciences (COCIS), which includes faculty and staf ofces for SLIS, the School of Business, and the Division of Mathematics, Computing, and Statistics.

The new space also includes the Jim Matarazzo student lounge, Ph.D. student ofce, a Collaboratory and XR/Usability laboratory. There are plenty of lounge areas for students and faculty to get together and spark interesting conversations and collaboration. This year is also the 20th anniversary of our SLIS West campus in South Hadley, Massachusetts, which continues to ofer a unique learning opportunity for students in the region.

SLIS faculty continue to excel.

Associate Professor and newly appointed Associate SLIS Director, Katherine Wisser, was inducted as a Fellow of the Society of American

Archivists. Associate Professor and Community Informatics (CI) Lab Director Colin Rhinesmith was named Outstanding Information Science Teacher by ASIS&T. Professor Rong Tang, co-director of the Ph.D. Program, received the Simmons University Faculty Research Award. Associate Professor Kyong Eun Oh, co-director of the Ph.D. Program, received an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation research grant to study collaborative research information management in cloudbased repositories As we fnalize the SLIS strategic plan for 2023-2025, which was developed with the input of our faculty, students, and alumni, we look forward to implementing many important initiatives in fostering curricular innovation; creating a diverse, inclusive, and engaging learning environment for our students; supporting student and faculty success; achieving excellence in administrative tasks; and contributing to community building. I am optimistic that SLIS will continue to succeed in preparing our students for important roles as library, information science, and archival professionals.

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Sanda Erdelez, SLIS Director

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MISSION The Simmons School of Library & Information Science prepares students for inspired service, advocacy, and leadership in library and information science and archives.

VISION The Simmons School of Library & Information Science imagines an interconnected world with a diverse and engaged citizenry empowered by information, cultural heritage, and technology; in which the information disciplines and creativity improve lives; and where literature, knowledge, and collective wisdom are preserved and celebrated.

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SLIS Year in Review 2021

SLIS BY THE NUMBERS FOR 2021 Faculty:

Degrees Granted:

62

245

Full time faculty: 26 Tenured: 13

Contract: 5

Tenure-Track: 8

Adjunct: 36

Master of Science: 243 Doctoral: 2

Scholarships Awarded:

Students:

1,165

$2.9

million

Awardees: 620

Master of Science: 1,138 Doctoral: 27

Alumnae/i:

Credit Hours:

13,871

11,063

Master of Science: 13,850 Doctoral: 21

Master of Science: 10,916 Doctoral: 147

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SCHOOL OF LIBRARY & INFORMATION SCIENCE PROGRAMS & DEGREES simmons.edu/slis

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SLIS Year in Review 2021

GRADUATE PROGRAMS • Library & Information Science MS • Library & Information Science: Archives Management + History MA, MS • Children’s Literature + Library Services to Children MA, MS

CONCENTRATIONS • Archives Management • Cultural Heritage Informatics • Information Science & Technology • School Library Teacher

CERTIFICATES • Inter-Professional Informationist • Archives Management • School Library Teacher Licensure

DOCTORAL • Library & Information Science PhD

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FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS 2021 ASIS&T OUTSTANDING INFORMATION SCIENCE TEACHER AWARD Associate Professor Colin Rhinesmith was named the 2021 winner of the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) Outstanding Information Science Teacher Award. Rhinesmith was recognized for his dedication to his students and his creation of a safe classroom environment, vital for the challenging discussions at the core of Social Informatics. Supporters praised his willingness to alter the course to meet the needs of his students and his respect for student experience and input in class discussions.

FELLOWSHIP OF THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN ARCHIVISTS Associate Professor and Director of the Archives Concentration and Archive Certifcate Katherine Wisser was selected a Fellow of the Society of American Archivists (SAA). This distinction is SAA’s highest honor, in recognition of outstanding contributions to the archives profession. In addition to the leadership positions she has held within SAA, Wisser has written, presented, and taught updated archival standards, thus promoting widespread application.

ALFRED P. SLOAN FOUNDATION AWARD Associate Professor Kyong Eun Oh has received an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation award for her project, “Collaborative Research Information Management in Cloud-Based Repositories.”

The $43,916 Virtual Collaboration will research the most efective ways for researchers to manage fles in collaborative projects.

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SLIS Year in Review 2021

FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS

DAVIS EDUCATION FOUNDATION POST-PANDEMIC INNOVATIVE TEACHING AWARD Associate Professor Lisa Hussey was selected as one of ten winners of the “Silver Lining Award” by the Simmons University Center for Faculty Excellence, as recognition of post-pandemic innovation in teaching. Hussey developed a “fipped classroom” approach to provide students with opportunities for engagement beyond a discussion forum.

As an awardee, Hussey will receive a stipend and will participate in cohort opportunities to share the awardees’ innovations with the rest of the campus community.

2021 SIMMONS UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AWARD Professor Rong Tang received the 2021 University Research Award. Tang’s research has gained an international reputation, as has her consistent publication of peer-reviewed articles and her dedication to mentoring students. The award was presented at Convocation on September 1, 2021.

IMLS GRANT TO STUDY BROADBAND ACCESS IN TRIBAL LIBRARIES Associate Professor and Community Informatics Lab Director Colin Rhinesmith was awarded a $517,078 grant by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to study digital inclusion and broadband access in tribal libraries, in partnership with the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM). Rhinesmith is working with School of Library and Information Science student Malana Krongelb ’22MS, a graduate research assistant working in the CI Lab. Krongelb co-wrote the IMLS grant proposal with Rhinesmith, ATALM President/CEO Susan Feller, and Director of Programs Melissa Brodt.

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FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS

IREX GRANT TO ESTABLISH DATA CENTER AT UNIVERSITY IN IRAQ Professor and Dean Emerita Michele Cloonan received a grant in the amount of $73,193 from the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) and the U.S. Department of State to assist Tikrit University in Iraq with establishing a data center. Cloonan will work with the Director of Institutional Research Lan Gao, Associate Provost for Planning, Assessment, Accreditation Richard Voos, and students to be hired as research assistants.

NEXT GENERATION INTERNET EXPLORERS GRANT Assistant Professor Catherine Dumas and her colleague Lukasz Porwol (National University of Ireland Galway) were awarded a Next Generation Internet Explorers grant for $17,658, funded by the European Union. Their project, “Artifcial Intelligence & Virtual Reality as the driver of the next-generation online communication,” was conducted in the SLIS XR@Simmons Lab.

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTES Associate Professor Naresh Agarwal delivered a lecture, “Knowledge Management for Research Support in University Libraries,” at an International webinar on Research Support in University Libraries: Services, Resources and Best Practices in January. Agarwal has also been nominated for the 2020 Global North East Indian Award, in the category “NorthEast Young Heroes Awards: Recognizing Greatness.”

Professor and SLIS Director Sanda Erdelez virtually presented a keynote at the Annual Conference of the Taiwan Library Association on November 25 and at the Western Balkans Information & Media Literacy Conference in Bihac, Bosnia & Herzegovina, December 9-10.

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SLIS Year in Review 2021

FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS

FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS IN NUMBERS

1

book

7

research grants

21

peer reviewed publications

62

presentations at research and professional conferences

57

professional service engagements

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ACHIEVEMENTS AT SIMMONS PROMOTIONS • Katherine Wisser SLIS Associate Director • Rong Tang - Professor • Laura Saunders - Professor

SABBATICALS • Kyong Eun Oh, Spring 2021 • Peter Botticelli, Fall 2021

MILESTONES • Colin Rhinesmith (5 years) • Laura Saunders (10 years) • Rong Tang (15 years)

RETIRED FACULTY • Michele Cloonan Professor and Dean Emerita

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT • 14 Student Organizations • $5,271 awarded in professional development to 68 students simmons.edu/slis

“I was able to navigate my academic needs, and if I needed support I could speak to a faculty member. I’m still in contact with people who were instrumental in my path to becoming a professional.

Networking and building community keeps you in the loop for future collaborations. Build a community and network with people that you can reach out to if you need help or expertise. I am still in contact with dear friends from my time at Simmons.”

— Eva Rios-Alvarado ’14MS

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SLIS Year in Review 2021

AC H I EV E M E N T S AT S I M MON S

“Librarianship is a people service job.

It’s not a job about books or reading.

It’s about people. Being a librarian is a constant advocacy job. I don’t think it matters what type of librarianship you do — you will constantly teach people what you do, why you do it, and why it is important. That never ends.” — Vicky Biancolo ‘06MS

DEAN’S FELLOWS SLIS students have been awarded COCIS Dean’s Fellowships, which include an award package of a scholarship and assistantship. Each Fellowship is a one-year (three-semester) appointment, with the possibility of renewal for successive appointments. Dean’s Fellows have the opportunity to work closely with faculty, staf, and students on a variety of projects.

Virginia Hudgins ’22MS: Information Technology Support

SLIS Year in Review 2021

Chris Kaufmann ’20MS: PhD Student: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Shawnee Sloop ’22MS: Social Media and Communications

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Maya Sungold ’22MS: Events and Outreach

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STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS Ph.D. student and Ifll Operations Specialist Jennifer Sunoo ’21MS received the ASIS&T New Leaders Award 2021. As one of the fve awardees, Sunoo will be mentored by a longtime ASIS&T member and attend the annual meeting in October 2021.

Michelle Lafamme ’22MS, School Library Teacher concentration student, is a 2021 recipient of the Massachusetts School Library Association Audrey Friend Scholarship.

Master’s student Rae Enzie ’22MS was a Junior Fellow with the Library of Congress in Summer 2021, where they worked on the National Book Festival.

Kylie Baker ’21MS released her debut novel, Keeper of the Night, published by Inkyard Press/ HarperCollins, October 2021. The novel has received a starred review from Kirkus.

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Kelsey Ford ’22MS advises a teenhosted literary podcast called Bridges & Books in which teens interview award-winning and NYT Bestselling authors of young adult literature. Ford and the teen podcasters were recently featured on the “We Need Diverse Books” blog and were selected to present at three conferences in the fall of 2021: the YALSA Symposium, the Pennsylvania Library Association Conference, and the Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of English & Language Arts Conference.

Ford was also named the 2021-2022 American Library Association liaison for the Young Adult Library Services Association.

SLIS student Melissa Grasso ’24MS was awarded the 2021 Tom and Roberta Drewes Scholarship by the American Library Association. The $3,000 scholarship is awarded to a library support staf worker who is pursuing a master’s degree in library and information science. Grasso currently works as a library assistant in the Boston College Law Library.

SLIS Year in Review 2021

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

COMMENCEMENT AWARDS In May of 2021, SLIS faculty virtually celebrated the recipients of the 2021 Commencement Awards. These students were honored because of their service and leadership within SLIS.

Kim Lauren Pereira ’21MS received the 2021 Estelle Jussim Award for the Visual Arts. This award was created to acknowledge the photographic arts, flm in communication, and their role as it relates to the felds of museums and cultural heritage.

Matthew Hewes ’21MS received the 2021 Terry Plum SLIS West Leadership Award. This award was frst presented in 2004 by the LIS faculty and administration at SLIS West to an outstanding student in the SLIS west campus who best exemplifes the leadership values of academic excellence, community building, services, and commitment to the success of other students and the program.

SLIS Year in Review 2021

Jennifer Sunoo ’21MS was awarded the ASIS&T Student Chapter for the Outstanding Information Science Student Award.

Mary Millage ’20MS received the 2021 Kenneth R. Shafer Outstanding Student Award. The award is given each year to a student whom the faculty has identifed as outstanding and possessing great leadership potential.

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ALUMNAE/I HIGHLIGHTS Callan Bignoli ’12MS was selected as a Library Journal Mover & Shaker in the Change Agents category. Bignoli has been vocal in her support of library workers throughout the pandemic, and her #ProtectLibraryWorkers campaign received local and national attention.

In early 2020, Bignoli and fellow advocates launched Protect Library Workers, a website ofering advocacy strategies, resources for re-opening libraries safely, and tracking lay-ofs and furloughs in libraries across the Commonwealth.

Simmons Research and Instruction Librarian Stacy Collins ’16MS/’16MA, was selected as a Library Journal Mover & Shaker 2021. Collins also co-presented “Confronting the Myth of Neutrality: Academic Libraries, Advocacy, and Free Speech” with Adriene Lim ’12MS and other co-presenters at the ALA Annual Conference, June 2021.

Kristin Whitworth ’95MS named Librarian of the Year by the New Hampshire School Library Media Association. simmons.edu/slis

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In March of 2021, Christina M. Shutt ’10MS was named the new executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library (ALPL). Previously the executive director of the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock, AR, Shutt is the frst person of color to lead the ALPL. The Simmons LIS Alumni Association Board selected Stacie Williams ’11MS as the 2021 SLIS Alumni Achievement Award winner. The award is presented annually to a SLIS graduate who has demonstrated signifcant achievement and excellence in the library and information professions.

Williams is the inaugural Division Chief for Archives and Special Collections at the Chicago Public Library, and is a member of the independent Blackivist collective, which works to preserve Chicago-area Black history. She was recently published in Knowledge Justice: Disrupting Library and Information Science Through Critical Race Theory (MIT Press, 2020). A virtual event was held on October 21, at which Williams accepted the award and gave a presentation, “Learning Beyond the LIS.”

SLIS Year in Review 2021

ALUMNAE/I HIGHLIGHTS

Tamar EvangelestiaDougherty ’03MS was chosen to be director of the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, and will assume the role in early November.

Currently an associate university librarian at Cornell University and a faculty member of the UCLA California Rare Book School, EvangelestiaDougherty brings a blend of expertise in stewardship, interpretation and acquisition of collections, and strategic leadership.

Vicky Biancolo ’06MS, Director of the Library at Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfeld, was appointed by Governor Baker to be the newest member of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Abdulateef Hashim Khairi ‘13PhD was appointed Dean of the Information & Libraries Department at Al-Mustansiriyah University in Baghdad, Iraq.

SLIS Year in Review 2021

Jehan Sinclair ’16MS was selected the frst Anti-Racism Librarian/Archivist at Harvard Library.

Steven D. Booth ’09MS was the keynote speaker at the Visual Resources Association Annual Conference in March 2021. Booth is the archivist/project manager of the Johnson Publishing Company Archive for the Getty Research Institute and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Cathryn F. Czajkowski ’16MS was honored by the Seacoast chapter of Black Lives Matter as a BIPOC Seacoast Leader. Czajkowski is the Special Collections librarian at the Portsmouth Public Library and the co-founder of the library’s Taskforce for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity.

The awards ceremony was held virtually in February 2021.

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