School of Library and Information Science Alumnae/i
Our alumni have a passion for life-long learning, discovery and helping others.
Simmons SLIS graduates become part of a professional community that stretches across the globe. SLIS alumni are in libraries, schools, museums, technology, higher education, government, corporate libraries, and special collections, among many other institutions.
Our alums are innovators, challengers of the status quo, and champions of the right to information. As such, SLIS alumni are our most powerful ambassadors in the world of LIS.
SLIS Alumnae/i in the News
SLIS Alumna Honored with ‘I Love My Librarian’ Award
Joanne Doucette ’01MS is a 2026 honoree of the "I Love My Librarian" Award. She is one of ten honorees selected from more than 1,300 nominations from library users nationwide.
Alumna Author Talks Writing Process and Guiding Students
Jo Knowles ’92, ’95MA graduated from Simmons with a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in writing and returned to Simmons for her master’s degree in children’s literature. While teaching at a low-residency MFA program, Knowles continues to write young adult fiction.
Finding Inspiration in Taiwan’s Night Markets
Children’s Literature and Writing for Children graduate Emily Sun Li ’24MA/MFA reflects on her road to becoming a published author and how Simmons supported her career path.
Alumna Embraces Critical Approaches to Children’s Literature
Since completing her master of arts in children’s literature at Simmons, Amber Weinstock ’24MA has begun her doctoral studies at the University of Connecticut. We caught up with Weinstock, winner of the 2024 Graduate Student Essay Award, to ask how Simmons prepared her for her current studies.
The Transformative Power of Children’s Literature
Cassie Sheets-Kavanagh ’18MA, who earned her master of arts in children’s literature at Simmons, is pursuing a PhD in curriculum, instruction, and teacher education at Michigan State University.
SLIS Graduate Named Director of Nantucket Atheneum
The Nantucket Atheneum is not only the island’s public library, but also the home of historic research and art collections. For Leslie Malcolm ’05MS, the Atheneum’s newest executive director and head librarian, her journey there began with service.
Graphic Novelist Offers Representation for ADHD Kids
We spoke to author and illustrator Damian Alexander ’18MFA about how he found his creative home in writing and illustrating books for young adults, and what drew him to the Simmons Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children.
SLIS Alumna Named Library Director of the Year
Brittany Durgin ’17MS, director of the Moultonborough Public Library, has received the Library Director of the Year Award from the New Hampshire Library Trustees Association.
Accomplished Alums
Simmons SLIS is proud to boast some leaders in the LIS field among our graduates, including David Ferriero '74MS, 10th Archivist of the United States, Robert Hudson '77MS, Boston University Librarian, and Sarah Thomas '73MS, Director of the Harvard Libraries.
The SLIS Alumni board sponsors awards for outstanding alums in the Library and Information Science and the Children's Literature Programs. The most recent recipients of the Simmons Alumni Achievement Award include:
- 2018: Jane Sánchez '76LS, 25th Law Librarian of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
- 2017 Tom Blake '06MS, Content Discovery Manager, Boston Public Library; received MBLC award, 2015.
- 2016: Courtney Young '07MS, then-Head Librarian and Professor of Women's Studies at Pennsylvania State University; currently University Librarian at Colgate University. President of the American Library Association, 2014-2015. Recipient of the 2016 Simmons Alumni Achievement Award for Outstanding Achievement and Excellence in Library and Information Professional Endeavors
- 2016, Award for Outstanding Achievement and Excellence in the Field of Children's Literature: Victoria Smith '03GS, Kirkus editor, Simmons Adjunct; Smith has served on award committees for the Newbery, Caldecott, and Printz.
- 2015: Toby Pearlstein '77MS '87DA retired Director of Global Services for Bain & Company; co-author (with James Matarazzo, Dean and Professor Emeritus) of numerous articles about corporate and special libraries.
- 2014: Linda Watkins '82MS, retired librarian from Simmons SLIS.
- 2013: Artemis Kirk '75MS, University Librarian, Georgetown University in Washington, DC (retired in 2017).
- 2012: Jo Cates '84MS, then-Associate Vice President for Academic Research and Dean of the Library, Columbia College, Chicago; currently Library Director at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
- 2011: Maura Marx '04MS, then-Deputy Director, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Washington, DC. Currently President of Fidelity Foundations in Salem, New Hampshire.
Get Involved as a SLIS Alum
Donate
Consider donating to a specific scholarship or fellowship for SLIS and know that your support will resonate with future LIS professionals.
Share Your News
We are proud of the accomplishments of our alumni and want to promote your work. Have you received a promotion, been hired for a new position, engaged in meaningful volunteer work, published an article or book chapter, or received an award? Please let us know! To be included in SLIS social media and the Simmons news feed, please submit your news.
Join the Board
Our Alumni Association Board is dedicated to providing support to the SLIS community and sponsors several events per year. Contact Jean Scanlan to get involved.
Join the Honors Society
The Beta Beta Chapter of Beta Phi Mu invites eligible graduates each year to join the official LIS honor society, which is devoted to ideals of scholarship and service. Members can connect on Facebook.
Become an Alumnae/i Ambassador
Alumni Ambassadors can get involved in many ways, including speaking on an alumni panel at monthly information sessions and representing Simmons at off-campus recruiting fairs. For more information, reach out to SLIS Admissions.
Become a Mentor
The mentoring program assists students by providing insights into competencies required in various professional areas. For more information, reach out to SLIS ssistant Director.