SPRING ELECTIONS: Interested in getting more involved with student organizations next year? Start thinking ahead, because nominations for 2019-2020 Student Leadership will open Saturday, March 30! Look out for an email with more info and a refresher on the available positions.
BOOK DRIVE: This summer, Professor Hussey’s Library Development class will be traveling to Rwanda and they are looking for book donations! All books will either be taken to Rwanda or sold at a book sale on campus to raise money for supplies. YA fiction, sci-fi/fantasy/graphic novels preferred, but anything is welcome! A bin has been set up in the SLIS Student Lounge; please see the attached flyer for more info.
GRADUATION GOWNS: Heads up! 
This year, LISSA has started a new initiative to make a (very) limited number of graduation gowns and regalia available for rental free of charge! The Simmons Commencement Office will be distributing more information about purchasing caps and gowns in early April, but look out for an email from LISSA later this week with the rental request form.
Usability Lab Workshop
Tuesday, March 26
11:00 am-12:00 pm
Collaboratory, P-314
This workshop will cover basic concepts of user experience and usability testing, including the common testing procedures and tools. In the second half of the workshop we will feature a tour of the of the COCIS Usability Lab and a hands-on exercise of usability testing with Morae software. Food and drink will be provided! Please RSVP on Eventbrite.
Conference Preparation Forum
Wednesday, March 27
2:00-3:00 pm
Kotzen Room (L001-002)
Getting ready for NEA? Thinking about future conferences? Hear from a panel of SLIS students as they share their experiences at various LIS-related professional conferences. The conversation will cover such topics as how to obtain funding, networking strategies, giving presentations, and making the most of your conference experience. If you cannot attend, LISSA will distribute resources to summarize what was covered, including this list of upcoming conferences for 2019-2020.
A Conversation with Jane Sánchez, Law Librarian of Congress
Wednesday, March 27
4:00-5:30 pm
Special Functions Room (1st Floor MCB)
Special Functions Room (1st Floor MCB)
Join the SLIS Alumni Board as they welcome Jane Sánchez ’76 to the Simmons campus. Recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award, Sánchez will speak about the versatility of a Library and Information Science Degree. This event is free, but please RSVP on Eventbrite if you plan to attend in person. Or tune in virtually using GoToMeeting:
You can also dial in using your phone.United States (Toll Free): 1 877 309 2073United States: +1 (571) 317-3129Access Code: 531-014-933First GoToMeeting? Let’s do a quick system check:
Spectra Open Meeting & Fourth Friday Film
Friday, March 29
6:00-9:00 pm
M-513
Spectra, Simmons’ LGBTQ+ affinity group, will be holding our monthly open meeting followed by our 4th Friday Film series. Come join us at M513 (School of Management) to meet our members and discuss ideas for events, activities, or trips to take with the organization. Meeting at 6:00, film (TBD – VOTE HERE!) starts at 7:00! See you there!
Coming Soon!
Interviewing and Networking Workshop
Wednesday, April 3
2:00-3:00 pm, P-207
Join SLIS and the CEC to hone your interviewing and networking skills! Learn tips and tricks and practice with mock interviews in preparation for the SLIS Career and Networking Fair!
Simmons University and Countway Library of Medicine Mixer
Monday, April 8
Monday, April 8
4:00-6:00 pm, Countway Library of Medicine, 5th Floor, Lahey Room
10 Shattuck St., Boston, MA 02115
10 Shattuck St., Boston, MA 02115
Come network and meet other librarians and professionals from the Boston area! Please RSVP using this link. Contact Meredith Solomon at 617-432-1206 or [email protected] if you have any questions.
White Fragility Discussion – II & III
Tuesday, April 9 & Thursday, April 25
5:00-7:00 pm, TBD
Continuing the student-led discussion on Robin DiAngelo’s book, White Fragility: Why it’s so hard for white people to talk about racism, on the theme of which DiAngelo presented at this year’s ALA Midwinter conference – where several LIS professionals of color reported experiencing racist remarks and actions from white colleagues. Join us to be a part of this sorely needed conversation in our profession – if you don’t have time to read the book read the article by the same name instead. Interested in helping facilitate? Email [email protected] or [email protected].
Continuing the student-led discussion on Robin DiAngelo’s book, White Fragility: Why it’s so hard for white people to talk about racism, on the theme of which DiAngelo presented at this year’s ALA Midwinter conference – where several LIS professionals of color reported experiencing racist remarks and actions from white colleagues. Join us to be a part of this sorely needed conversation in our profession – if you don’t have time to read the book read the article by the same name instead. Interested in helping facilitate? Email [email protected] or [email protected].
DineAround with SLA New England
Wednesday, April 10
Wednesday, April 10
6:00-8:00 pm, The Smoke Shop BBQ
343 Congress St., Boston, 02210
343 Congress St., Boston, 02210
Join SLA New England and SLA@Simmons for a casual after-work networking event at Seaport’s Smoke Shop BBQ. Enjoy conversation and light food while meeting professionals and current students. Contact Jill Aberdale if you have any questions, [email protected]. **RSVP by Friday, April 5th**
SLIS Career and Networking Fair
Wednesday April 17, 2019 4pm-6pm
Linda K. Paresky Conference Center
Come to the SLIS Career and Networking Fair on April 17 in the Paresky Conference Center! This free event will feature a photographer to take headshots (perfect for LinkedIn!) and more than 20 employers and professional organizations interested in talking to you about full- and part-time jobs, internships, and networking opportunities. Attending employers include the Boston Public Library, Framingham Public Schools, Cambridge Historical Commission, EBSCO, the JFK Library, DeGruyter, Harvard Libraries, Sharon Public Schools, Northeastern School of Law Library, the Jewish Women’s Archive, the Public Library of Brookline, AccuFile, the Cape Ann Museum, and more! The event is open to all current SLIS students and recent graduates and business professional attire is recommended. RSVP here. For more information, visit https://simmons.edu/sliscareerfair. We hope to see you there!