SLIS The University of Iowa

10/22/2026

Hi, I'm Andrea Leusink. I am a second-year SLIS student and research graduate assistant working with Dr. Angela Fritz on her research about the historical use of early Artificial Intelligence within government institutions, such as the National Archives. This year I am excited to once again dive into historical research, especially on a topic that connects closely with my own research interests!

During my time at SLIS, I have taken courses that have deepened my understanding of library and archival services while also strengthening my skills with both emerging and established technologies! SLIS also helped me secure a practicum this past summer with the Digitization Department at the University of Iowa Main Library, where I further developed my skills in digital preservation

10/20/2026

This semester, I had the amazing opportunity to present at the 2026 Iowa Library Association Conference in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
My presentation, “The Parallels of Censorship: The Second Red Scare and Today” explored how the role of librarians was transformed and refined during the Second Red Scare and how we can apply this history to today. I drew comparisons regarding the threats to intellectual freedom that occurred during the Second Red Scare, in United States, to events occurring today. I also focused on how the censorship events of this era led to revisions to the Library Bill of Rights, the creation of the Freedom to Read Statement, and the Statement on Labeling. Additionally, I spoke on how these documents impacted the role of the librarian at the time and how the profession can utilize these documents to advocate for intellectual freedom in their own communities today.
Presenting my research at the ILA conference was incredibly rewarding as I was able engage in conversations about how we, as librarians, can learn from the librarians of the past to become better advocates for the present.
I am grateful that I had the opportunity to present at this year's Iowa Library Association conference. It gave me the ability to foster relationships with my cohort and fellow members of the field, allowing me to engage in conversations related to advocacy and serving our communities, and to be able to attend numerous breakout sessions related to Iowa Libraries.

10/19/2026

Come get your Master's in Library and Information Science with the University of Iowa. Not only are we the only ALA accredited MLIS in Iowa, but we're the only iSchool in the US that's CILIP certified. From our streamlined application process, remote-optional program, in-state tuition for remote students, and dual-degree programs, we just might be the program for you.

For more information on applications, visit our website or email [email protected]: https://slis.uiowa.edu/prospective-students

Resources for students who want to join the SLIS at University of Iowa Program

10/16/2026

LISSO is proud to host the inaugural Library and Information Science Research Symposium in April 2027. Participating students have the opportunity to present their research, papers, or posters in an online format to a wide audience of students and faculty.

LISRS is designed to mimic a professional research conference, but in a lower-stakes setting where students can practice for future conferences that they attend. Proposals are now being accepted and submissions are due January 29th, 2027. Submit your proposal to [email protected].

For submission requirements, instructions, and event details, visit LISSO’s ICON page. Proposals will be reviewed by fellow students.

Who Can Participate: This opportunity is also open to all SLIS UIowa students including those graduating in December 26'!

10/15/2026

Skyler Appler is in her 7th year of teaching English at West Liberty High School. She hopes to someday become a teacher-librarian. She wanted to attend the ALA conference because she felt it would be a valuable experience as both a student and a teacher. Skyler attended most of the main stage speakers and left the conference feeling hopeful about this field. Librarians--and teachers--are often the targets of legislation and book bans, but the conference was a reminder that librarians are not working in isolation. There are others in our field, and outside of it, who are going through the same struggles. With support from colleagues and ALA, librarians will continue doing the hard work this field requires, knowing they are standing on a strong professional foundation. Some highlights of the conference for Skyler were hearing LeVar Burton of Reading Rainbow speak on the main stage, attending Melissa Villaseñor's main stage interview and meeting her afterward at her book signing, and spending time with fellow SLIS friends Erin and Grace.

10/13/2026

Join us tonight for the second installment in our professional development series: Professional Growth Through Personal Engagement! This is a series of fully virtual Zoom speakers, where all previous recordings can be found on the SLIS website.

Our second speaker is Dr. Josh Coleman, an Assistant Professor of English Education at Arizona State University. He'll be giving his talk "Challenge Censorship through Librarian/Classroom Teacher Collaborations" on October 13th at 7:00pm CT/ 8:00 pm ET.

In this presentation, Dr. Coleman shares findings from a National Academy of Education supported study of Iowa State Senate File 496's first year of implementation in Iowa K-12 schools. Focused on the 2023-2024 school year, he spotlights inroads for collaboration between librarians and classroom teachers to challenge book bans. Dr. Coleman also shares findings from his forthcoming book: Ban Censorship, Not Books, including a local resistance framework to support educators in locating community agency.

Dr. James Joshua Coleman (Josh) is an Assistant Professor of English Education in Arizona State University’s Department of English. His research interests include English education and censorship, critical literacy studies, and diverse youth literature. Josh was a 2023 Spencer / National Academy of Education Postdoctoral Fellow and can be reached at [email protected].

Learn more at:

James Joshua Coleman (Josh) is an Assistant Professor of English Education in Arizona State University’s Department of English. His research interests include English education and censorship, critical literacy studies, and diverse youth literature. Josh was a 2023 Spencer / National Academy of Ed...

10/12/2026

We will be hosting the second installment in our professional development series: Professional Growth Through Personal Engagement, tomorrow night! This is a series of fully virtual Zoom speakers, where all previous recordings can be found on the SLIS website.

Our second speaker is Dr. Josh Coleman, an Assistant Professor of English Education at Arizona State University. He'll be giving his talk "Challenge Censorship through Librarian/Classroom Teacher Collaborations" on October 13th at 7:00pm CT/ 8:00 pm ET.

In this presentation, Dr. Coleman shares findings from a National Academy of Education supported study of Iowa State Senate File 496's first year of implementation in Iowa K-12 schools. Focused on the 2023-2024 school year, he spotlights inroads for collaboration between librarians and classroom teachers to challenge book bans. Dr. Coleman also shares findings from his forthcoming book: Ban Censorship, Not Books, including a local resistance framework to support educators in locating community agency.

Dr. James Joshua Coleman (Josh) is an Assistant Professor of English Education in Arizona State University’s Department of English. His research interests include English education and censorship, critical literacy studies, and diverse youth literature. Josh was a 2023 Spencer / National Academy of Education Postdoctoral Fellow and can be reached at [email protected].

Learn more at:

James Joshua Coleman (Josh) is an Assistant Professor of English Education in Arizona State University’s Department of English. His research interests include English education and censorship, critical literacy studies, and diverse youth literature. Josh was a 2023 Spencer / National Academy of Ed...

10/12/2026

Come get your Master's in Library and Information Science with the University of Iowa. Not only are we the only ALA accredited MLIS in Iowa, but we're the only iSchool in the US that's CILIP certified. From our streamlined application process, remote-optional program, in-state tuition for remote students, and dual-degree programs, we just might be the program for you.

For more information on applications, visit our website or email [email protected]: https://slis.uiowa.edu/prospective-students

10/11/2026

Collin Vandewalle (‘25) intentionally tailored his time at SLIS to be an archivist; and after courses with Dr. Fritz that he described as “the foundation needed to be successful as an Archivist,” and co-curating alongside fellow SLIS alumnus Lindsey Moen “the University of Iowa’s Main Library Gallery Exhibit on J. N. ‘Ding’ Darling,” he graduated prepared.

Collin was hired after graduation to work for the University of Iowa on a term position as a support librarian. After that year, he was hired again for another term position with the department, now working as a full-time archivist on the Ruth and Marvin Sackner Archive of Concrete and Visual Poetry: “The collection holds over 70,000 artist books and art depicting this unique form of poetry. Right now, I am going through oversized flat materials like broadsides, limited edition prints, and exhibition posters. I never know what I am going to see next, and I love being able to share these pieces with students and researchers. I also feel like I am on the ‘archival frontier,’ as we try to incorporate art into archival description and organization with this large-scale collection.”

His advice to SLIS students is to “take as many opportunities as you can to get practical experience while you are in the SLIS program. Make sure to take a practicum or try and find an internship/student position in a library/special collections/archive. Even just applying to positions like that can open doors one might not expect.”

He also wants all UIowa students (or anyone visiting Iowa City) to know that the collection he co-curated with Lindsey is available to the public through the end of the semester!

10/10/2026

We’d like to thank everyone who joined us for the SLIS Soirée Thursday night! It was wonderful seeing you! We’ll have more photos from the ILA to come!