We have worked to compile all of your frequently asked questions into one central document.

Frequently Asked Questions

For site supervisors

How do I create an account in FXMS?

First, navigate to the FXMS website, then in the top right corner of the webpage select the “Log in” option.
After landing on the “Log in” page, select the tab “Create a new account.”
From here please insert all of the appropriate information.
After you submit your request for a new account a member of our team will approve the account and register you as a site supervisor.
When you receive a confirmation email that your account has been approved you are all set and registered.

How do I submit a project in FXMS?

After creating your account you will be able to access the FXMS system as a site supervisor.
To submit a project first you need to create you site profile. To do this, navigate to the tab reading “Make a Site Profile”
- After clicking this tab fill out all of the required information. When the information is filled out click the save button. This will register your institution in FXMS.
Next, navigate to the “Project Submission” tab.
After landing on the “Project Submission” tab, please fill out all of the required fields. Pay close attention to the course option, to ensure you select the correct course, semester field, and correct year. This enables us to find your project in the system quickly.
When you complete the required fields, press save.

What happens after I submit a project in FXMS?

Our team works diligently to match a student whose schedule, accessibility needs, geographic location, and interests are well-matched to your institution. That takes time, Please be patient as we complete the placement process.
During the third week of each semester, LIS 438 students will reach out personally to arrange their first appointment with you after they are placed in FXMS.
We will send you an email confirming your project was received, and a student will reach out to you after field placements are finalized.

Can students receive compensation for field experiences?

Absolutely! While we do not require or request sites to compensate students for their field work, we do allow sites to provide students with pay for their work. We prefer that institutions who are paying a salary do so as a stipend versus a weekly salary.. Contact us for more details.

I am unsure if my projects fits the parameters needed for a field experience, what should I do?

Reach out to us at [email protected]! Our team is happy to review your project description to determine if it is an appropriate project for a student field experience. In the event it is not, you can always submit a project or job to the SLIS Jobline. Both our students and alums regularly engage with this site for job searches.

Can school librarians host a Simmons student? Who should I contact about this?

School librarians can certainly host Simmons students! At Simmons, the School Library Concentration has its own curriculum-based field experience program. For more information about that program, please visit the School Teacher Library Program webpage.

Frequently Asked Questions for Students Interested in LIS 438

I am not concentrating in Archives Management or Cultural Heritage Informatics, can I still take LIS 438: Introduction to Archives?

Absolutely! While LIS 438 is a required course for the Archives Management and Cultural Heritage Informatics concentrations, but the course is open to all SLIS students.

I am currently juggling work and graduate courses, can I still take LIS 438?

Of course! We offer two options to fulfill the 60-hour field experience requirement. If your schedule allows, or you are able to rearrange your schedule to accommodate, you have the option to work onsite at an archival institution near you. Or, if your schedule does not allow you to commute to an onsite archival institution, we offer a fully remote practicum experience. This experience mirrors the onsite field experience with tasks and intellectual work. A unique benefit to the virtual practicum is working closely with one of SLIS’s full-time faculty to learn how to survey, appraise, and process a digitized collection.

How does the placement process work for LIS 438?

After registering for LIS 438, you will receive an email from SLIS Field Experience that an account has been made for you in our FXMS system, and you will need to create your student profile with that account. Your student profile is what we utilize to place you, and shares your location, schedule, and any accessibility accommodations you may need. We prioritize commute distance/time and accessibility considerations over personal interest when matching students with projects.

Frequently Asked Questions for Students Interested in LIS 512

What are the prerequisites to taking LIS 512?

To take LIS 512 students must complete all SLIS core courses and concentration requirements. Additionally, you must have completed 18 credit hours of coursework before enrolling in the course.

If you have a question that was not answered on this page, please feel free to contact us.