My Simmons

Student Associations

The professional associations are well-represented at Simmons SLIS, with student chapters of ALA, ALA-IRRT, SLA, SAA, ASIST, PLG, MSLA-SIG, and UXPA. In addition, there is LISSA, the student association to which all students belong. For descriptions and links to each group’s website, see below.

To view the by laws of a particular student association, visit the by laws page on the LISSA blog.

To subscribe to the listserv email messages from a particular student association, send a request to the association’s email address.

AMIA (Association of Moving Image Archivists) Student Chapter

The Association of Moving Image Archivists’ student chapter at Simmons University joins an emerging dialogue with scholars, students, and other enthusiasts called together to help address some of the most urgent issues of conservation, preservation, and access in the field. It aims to provide a forum for the discussion and education of its members in the moving image archival profession, to promote interaction with professional moving image archivists, and to encourage participation in such activities.

American Library Association — Student Chapter (ALASC)

Blog: http://slis.simmons.edu/blogs/alasc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimmonsALASC
Twitter: @ALASCSimmons

In 1991, the Simmons School of Library and Information Science Student Chapter joined many of its kind to be chartered by the American Library Association. The ALA Student Chapter invites local librarians to discuss the activities and services of ALA and its local and national affiliates.

Association for Information Science and Technology — Student Chapter (ASIS&T)

Blog: http://slis.simmons.edu/blogs/asist
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Asist-Simmons/140894349292112

The Student Chapter of the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIST), chartered in 1975, seeks to promote the study of information science among the student body. The Chapter works closely with the New England Chapter of ASIST in planning regional events, providing students an opportunity to come in contact with professionals in the field of information science. The Chapter also organizes workshops on topics in information organization, dissemination, and use; and an annual prize is awarded to an outstanding information science student.

Library and Information Science Student Association (LISSA)

Blog: http://slis.simmons.edu/blogs/lissa/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/simmonslissa
Twitter: @LISSA_Boston

The Library and Information Science Student Association (LISSA), founded by the students, acts as a vehicle of communication between students and faculty by representing student consensus. LISSA is responsible for social activities designated to promote good fellowship among students and between students, faculty and alumni. It sponsors and promotes educational and informational programs for the benefit of the total student body. For example, students distribute and compile evaluations of courses for student use. LISSA is an integral part of the School, and students gain experience in governance, money management, and collaborative decision-making. The Association has compiled a significant record of important contributions to the School and to its students. The student activity fee required of students each semester provides membership in the organization and supports Association activities.

LISSA-West

LISSA West is the student organization’s branch at the Greenfield campus. LISSA West meets several times per semester. All students are encouraged to attend these meetings and any interested students have the opportunity to join LISSA as an officer.

Massachusetts School Library Association — Student Interest Group (MSLA-SIG)

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Simmons-MSLA/147464458621330
Twitter: @simmonsmsla

In the spring of 2004, a group of students from the Simmons School Library Teacher program along with the Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) founded a student group to promote professional development in school librarianship.

MSLA-SIG is dedicated to the improvement of teaching and learning through the integration of school library media into the total educational process. The organization advocates, promotes and works to strengthen school library media services to students and teachers. Members of our student group meet other School Library Teacher students in a professional forum; network with dedicated school librarians; and keep up-to-date with developments in the school library field.

Panopticon (Art Librarian Interest Group)

Blog: simmonspanopticon.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/panopticonSLIS
Twitter: @panopticonSLIS

Panopticon is a SLIS special interest group for students interested in art, cultural heritage, and visual resources in libraries, archives, and museums. Through meetings, discussions, and events we provide information to students about SLIS course planning, jobs and internships, local and national events and conferences, relevant professional organizations, and networking opportunities. We are chaired by student leaders and work closely with Art Library Students and New Professionals (ArLISNAP), as well as Art Libraries Society of North America’s New England chapter (ARLIS/NE). All SLIS students are welcome to join.

Progressive Librarians Guild — Student Chapter (PLG)

The SLIS chapter of the Progressive Librarians Guild is a non-sectarian group committed to the ideals of progressive librarianship, and the notion that a fundamental role of libraries is to promote the free exchange of ideas and information for all people. We believe that libraries are essential to maintaining an independent and democratic society.

The student chapter at Simmons supports the PLG (http://libr.org/plg/) and its statement of principles by:

  1. Encouraging and providing a forum for the open exchange of radical views on library issues
  2. Conducting campaigns to support progressive and democratic library activities on the local, national and international level
  3. Promoting progressive activities, i. e. guest speakers, discussions, field trips and volunteer opportunities that enhance the professional development of its members
Special Libraries Association — Student Chapter (SLA @ Simmons)

Blog: http://slis.simmons.edu/blogs/slasimmons/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SLAatSimmons
Twitter: @SLASimmons

The Special Libraries Association Student Group, established in 1971 as the first student group chartered by the parent organization, hosts meetings and seminars on topics of the members’ choice, helping to lead to a full understanding of special librarianship. Through these activities, and those of the SLA New England Chapter, students become familiar with all aspects of SLA and have the opportunity to meet many of the local members. Activities of the Simmons SLA Student Group are open to all graduate students. Those who wish to join the Special Libraries Association may do so at a student member rate.

Spectra

Spectra is Simmons School of Library and Information Science’s LGBTQ group and its purpose is to bring together individuals who share an interest in issues that surround the LGBTQ community in the profession of Library Science. Spectra also offers a safe place for students to discuss issues that professionals face in the profession. Spectra’s goal is to promote discussion of the issues of the LGBT community faces with allies to foster discussion and promote change within the field of Library and Information Science.

Student Chapter of ALA International Relations Round Table (SCIRRT)

Wiki: http://slis.simmons.edu/wikis/scirrt/Main_Page

The Student Chapter of ALA International Relations Round Table (SCIRRT), founded as Simmons International Relations (SIR) in 2004-2005. The group is committed to:

  1. Disseminating a multicultural and multinational perspective on library and information science among SLIS and Simmons students
  2. Joining individuals interested in international library issues
  3. Acting as a network for Simmons SLIS students with interests in different cultures and languages
  4. Bringing to SLIS speakers and presenters with international library experience to the group
  5. Offering a platform for SLIS students for the discussion of ideas about international librarianship and information in multiple facets
  6. Promoting the discussion and study of librarianship in foreign nations
  7. Enhancing the discussion of international library issues at SLIS
  8. Promoting the exchange of ideas and initiatives about international librarianship
  9. Spreading the idea of international librarianship as a key component of library and information science education in the USA
Student Chapter of the Society of American Archivists (SCoSAA)

Blog: http://slis.simmons.edu/blogs/scosaa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCoSAA
Twitter: @SCoSAA

The Student Chapter of the Society of American Archivists serves to introduce and integrate new archivists into the profession; enhance the educational function by providing an additional focus for students to discuss archival issues; identify with the profession and engage in professional activities; promote communication among student members; and develop leaders of tomorrow’s archival profession.

Students of Color @ Simmons School of Library and Information Science (SoCS)

This organization, Students of Color at SLIS (SoCS) was founded in the Fall of 2015 in response to a call for a greater sense of community amongst graduate students of color at the Simmons School of Library and Information Science. The purpose of the SoCS is to build and sustain a supportive community for graduate students of color that contributes to their academic development, social growth, and well-being.

User Experience Professional Association (UXPA)

Twitter: @UXPAsimmons

The Simmons Usability Professional Association (UXPA@Simmons) is a student group for people who are interested in usability and user experience research. UXPA supports students and community members who research, design, and evaluate the user experience of information products and services. UXPA also works to provide students with learning experience and professional development opportunities through guest talks and events that showcase usability practice and UX research projects.