OU SLIS

08/25/2026

📢 Join us for our next School Librarian Roadshow series event on Sept. 15th: Teaching Forward- Standards, Strategy, and School Librarians. To register, scan the QR code or see our event listings at: https://www.ou.edu/cas/slis/news

08/24/2026

We are excited to welcome everyone back to OU for the Fall 2026 semester!

07/23/2026

SLIS doctoral graduate, Dr. Moses Munyao, with SLIS faculty Drs. Jung and Abbas, recently published a Feature Article published in Public Libraries magazine (July/August 2026) describing a set of design principles they developed as part of their IMLS funded project: "Making is for Everyone: Learning within Library Makerspaces for Youth with Disabilities" (IMLS LG-252323-OLS-22) which investigated inclusive making programming and makerspaces for youth with disabilities in US public libraries.

Findings from several data sources (national survey, focus groups with library practitioners, site visits to select makerspaces, etc.) resulted in a deeper understanding of how library makerspaces and programming support youth with disabilities and their families. The article details a set of design principles libraries can use when designing more inclusive makerspaces and programs.

Access information about this publication here: https://www.ala.org/pla/resources/publications/publiclibraries/current

07/22/2026

📚Our students always complete a hands-on project as part of their experience! This year they focused on the Mewbourne Library on the OU Arezzo Campus.

Our students developed and completed the reorganization project in three parts: physical reshelving, label and poster creation, and creation of a digital catalog.

07/01/2026

Our students started their journey earlier this summer in Rome and toured the Vatican!

06/29/2026

Summertime in SLIS means Study Abroad in Italy! We will be posting photos and memories from our 2026 class of Exploring Archives, Museums and Libraries in Italy.

Find more about OU's Education Abroad here: ou.edu/globalengagement/education_abroad/program-types/go-by-location

06/26/2026

🤔 Whose stories do museums tell?
What happens when we look at museums through Indigenous perspectives?

Join Dr. Laura Phillips (University of Oklahoma School of Library and Information Studies) and Deji Duggar (Cherokee) for Rethinking Museums through Indigenous Perspectives, an engaging OLLI at OU Senior Seminar exploring how museums shape our understanding of history, culture, and place.
Together, we'll explore questions such as:
🏛️ Why do museums collect what they collect?
📖 Who gets to tell the stories behind museum objects?
🌎 How do Indigenous and Western worldviews approach history, knowledge, and stewardship differently?
🎨 What can we learn from Indigenous-led museums and cultural centers?
🤝 How can museums build meaningful relationships with Indigenous Nations and communities?
Combining museum studies scholarship with Cherokee perspectives, this seminar invites participants into thoughtful conversations about collecting, storytelling, cultural stewardship, and the changing role of museums in society today.
The seminar includes discussions, visual examples, and a field trip to the First Americans Museum, where participants will explore how Indigenous voices in Oklahoma are reshaping museum practice and interpretation.
No prior knowledge is required—just curiosity, openness, and a love of learning.

📅 Fall 2026 OLLI at OU Senior Seminar (July 15 - August 5 2026)
🔗 Learn more and register: https://calendar.ou.edu/pacs-olli/event/118896-rethinking-museums-through-indigenous-perspectives

06/24/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Abbas (OU SLIS) and Dr. Augosto's (Rutgers University) Research Team for their study on children’s digital media use being recognized as a Top-Viewed Wiley Article! Read more about this project via OU News:

June Abbas, Ph.D is the co-lead author of a study on how parents make digital media decisions for their children. She and her collaborators have offered nuanced guidance to families and experts on how resources like the Internet and television can be managed effectively.

06/23/2026

The SLIS family is sadden to hear about the passing of Susan Feller. Condolences to her family, her colleagues, and the ATALM community during this difficult time.

We know her legacy will be carried on by many individuals and organizations who she connected with through her unwavering dedication, work, and advocacy efforts.

Dear ATALM Community,

It is with heavy hearts that we share the unexpected passing of our Founding President and CEO, Susan Feller.

For more than two decades, Susan dedicated her life to strengthening and supporting Tribal archives, libraries, museums, language programs, and cultural institutions. Through her vision, determination, and unwavering commitment, she founded the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM), transforming a simple but powerful idea into a national organization serving Indigenous communities across the United States and beyond.

Susan believed deeply in the power of Indigenous communities to preserve, protect, and share their histories, languages, cultures, and traditional knowledge. She understood that cultural institutions are not merely repositories of information and artifacts, but living centers of community, identity, and resilience. Throughout her career, she worked to create opportunities for those working in cultural institutions to learn from one another, build professional networks, access resources, and strengthen their institutions.

As we mourn Susan's passing, we also celebrate a life devoted to service, collaboration, and the preservation of Indigenous cultures and knowledge. We are grateful for the vision she shared with us and for the organization she created. Her influence will continue to guide our work and inspire our community for years to come.

On behalf of the ATALM Board of Governors and staff, we extend our deepest condolences to Susan's family, friends, and all who knew and worked with her.

The ATALM Board wants to reassure our community that our work will continue. ATALM remains committed to the mission and vision that Susan established, and preparations for ATALM2026 in Spokane will continue without interruption.

To ensure continuity in operations and leadership during this transition, the Board has appointed ATALM Chief Operating Officer, Melissa Brodt, to serve as Interim President/CEO. Having worked side by side with Susan since ATALM’s founding, Melissa brings a strong understanding of the organization and will guide ATALM forward with the support of the Board and staff.

In the coming weeks, we will share information about opportunities to honor Susan's memory and celebrate her extraordinary contributions to the field.

With gratitude and remembrance,
The ATALM Board of Governors

06/04/2026

Read our latest newsletter at: https://mailchi.mp/ou/slis-end-of-ay-2025-2026