President’s Message, March 2026
Hello information people!
In my part of the northern hemisphere the clocks changed overnight, and although that means that I am missing an hour of much-needed sleep, I am experiencing the annual seasonal glee of looking out the window at almost 7 PM and realizing it’s still light! Another hour of light means I’ll be able to get some more things off the to-do list, right??
Well, maybe. Many of us are in that part of the academic season when there are far more things on the to-do list than hours in the day. I know there’s a lot of hiring, class prep, and committee work to distract you, so let me use this space to call your attention back to some of the many opportunities ASIS&T is offering you to help with professional growth.
Make sure to check out Exploring the Frontiers in Information Science and Librarianship, to be held in Albuquerque, NM, USA 6 - 9 June 2026. This is the second Information Science Summit and the first Summit combining the ISS with the Special Libraries Conference which carries on the tradition of the very successful SLA Annual Conference. The meeting will explore new frontiers of information science and librarianship through the lens of both practicing information scientists and academic researchers. Early bird registration is open now. I’m looking forward to seeing people from many sectors our community come together to exchange ideas and learn from and about each other.
Speaking of learning . . . if you, like me, are having trouble keeping up with this new-fangled AI business, join us online April 20-23 for the IDEA Institute on AI. The four-day program is designed to is to build and enhance the knowledge and skills of current and future library and information professionals in AI through developing theoretical (conceptual) and practical experiences. If four days is too much of a commitment (did I mention that we’re all busy?), we’ve got you covered there too. You can register for just one session, or if you have to miss a session, you can catch up. All sessions will be recorded and available for viewing immediately following the conclusion of the session.
And let me add a couple of things to that to-do list! Nominations for ASIS&T awards and honors are now open. Please give some thought to your colleagues and friends who deserve to be rewarded for their hard work and intellectual achievements and consider submitting a nomination. If you know a great teacher or someone with extraordinary commitment to service in ASIS&T or all -around amazing information scientist, help us get that person some recognition!
Be sure to submit your proposals for workshops, panels, and papers for our 2026 Annual Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. This year’s theme is all about boundary spanning and border crossing and collaboration among researchers, practitioners, educators, policymakers, and communities, as well as the circulation and stewardship of information across diverse sociocultural and institutional contexts. Please submit a proposal so that your voice can he heard in our global conversation.
My morning walk today, in the United States Midwest, was full of sunshine and birdsong. Crocuses had opened up with the sunrise and daffodils and tulips are showing every sign of happening next. It was hard not to feel a flush of spring spirit. But I also spent my walking time thinking about our many members who are in the middle east and the threats that they are under. To those colleagues, I say, please know that throughout the ASIS&T community, we are thinking of you and looking toward a time when you are safe and can join us again to share your work and your experience.