Simmons SLIS

We had an amazing time welcoming new and returning SLIS students last weekend at our annual On-Campus Kickoff event!

Students had the chance to tour campus, learn about opportunities and resources for students, and connect with faculty, fellow students, and SLIS professional organizations. Cheers to a great semester ahead!

SLIS welcomes new Assistant Professor of Practice, Kerista Fiske!

With nearly a decade of experience across libraries, archives, museums, and higher education, Fiske brings a strong background in library leadership and archives practice and management. She also has expertise in digital humanities, with a focus on contemporary expressions of ancient and classical iconography. Fiske earned her MLIS at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and also holds a Master of Arts & Museum Studies Certificate from the University of Memphis, TN.

Please join us in welcoming her to SLIS!

The Simmons SLIS Library Fellows program, launched in 2022, focuses on support, opportunities, and mentorship for new LIS professionals. The program currently supports nine Fellows, addressing research-identified barriers the diversification of the LIS field by by providing meaningful work experience, financial and tuition support, and dedicated mentoring for professional and career support as students and emerging professionals. The Fellows are staff members at the Simmons University Library and other partner organizations such as the Boston Public Library, Greenfield Community College, and Loyola Notre Dame University, where they develop a critical understanding of the LIS field and refine their own career interests and aspirations. Past fellows have gone on to become librarians, archivists, and administrative professionals, bringing specialized training and experience to make an impact as professionals in the field.

Click here to learn more about the Library Fellows Program and other opportunities for SLIS students! https://www.simmons.edu/graduate/tuition-and-financial-aid/merit-scholarships-and-funding-options/library-and-information-science

Through a long-standing partnership with Yonsei University, Simmons SLIS has been proud to support international collaboration in LIS, and opportunities for students to study library and information science abroad. This summer, 22 SLIS students traveled to Seoul, South Korea as students in LIS 421: Social Informatics, a course taught by SLIS professor Lisa Hussey at Yonsei University. Check out these photos from LIS 421 student Taylor Graham ‘28MA/MS!

During her time in Seoul, Graham and other students were also able to take advantage of professional development support from SLIS to attend the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative conference, exploring current trends in metadata research and practice.

While a student in SLIS’ online Master of Library and Information Science program, Danielle Dempsey ’24MS began a research project on this history of librarianship in Ireland, as part of LIS 490, “International and Comparative Librarianship.” An academic librarian at Villanova University, Dempsey traveled to Ireland to study the country’s history of librarianship and shadow a mobile librarian serving rural communities along Ireland’s border, resulting in an article on the cross-border mobile library service published in Library & Information History in spring 2026.

Click here to read more about Dempsey’s research, and what it meant to her as an academic librarian! https://www.simmons.edu/news/researching-irelands-cross-border-mobile-library-service

Thinking about studying library and information science at SLIS? Join us for one of our fall info sessions! Attend in-person or online to learn more about our Master's of Library Science (MS), dual degree in Library and Information Science Archives (MS)/History (MA), or dual degree in Library and Information Science (MS)/Children's Literature (MA).

See all info session dates and register here: https://www.simmons.edu/events?organization=8195

It's the beginning of another great year at SLIS! We're so excited to welcome over 330 new SLIS students this fall, and to welcome back our returning students--we can't wait to get started and see what this semester holds!

Are you passionate about library and information science, but not sure that you're ready for an advanced degree? SLIS is currently offering fall courses for pre-matriculated students—try taking a course this fall, and explore current topics in the field before applying to a SLIS graduate program!

If you've earned a bachelor's degree with at least a 3.0 GPA, you are eligible apply to SLIS as a pre-matriculated student and earn course credit that can be applied towards a Master of Science or dual degree after admission to SLIS. View course descriptions and apply today here!

https://courses.simmons.edu/fall/
https://engage.simmons.edu/apply/?sr=607e3e64-491d-44f0-9333-b58b48e49998

For more information, please reach out to us at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you at SLIS this fall!

Tam Ha ’08MS, recipient of the 2026 Alumnae/i Lifetime Achievement Award and academic librarian for VinUniversity (Hanoi, Vietnam), has dedicated her career to advancing access to information. In her recent feature on Simmons News, Tam shares how her training at SLIS helped shape her view of libraries, library education, and how libraries support communities.

“What I enjoy most about my work is its variety. No two days are the same,” Tam says. “Each day presents an opportunity to contribute to education, research, innovation, and access to knowledge in meaningful ways.”

Click here to read the full feature on Simmons News!
https://www.simmons.edu/news/slis-alumna-awardee-reflects-people-centered-libraries