LIS Program Participates in ALA 2026 Annual Conference

Faculty, students, and alumni from Chicago State University’s Library and Information Science (LIS) Program, housed within the Department of Computing, Information and Mathematical Sciences, and Technology (CIMST), participated in the 2026 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference, held June 25–29 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The conference was particularly significant as it marked the 150th anniversary of the American Library Association.

LIS faculty members Dr. Gabriel Gomez, Dr. Kimberly Black-Parker, Dr. Rae-Anne Montague, Dr. Chi Young Oh, Dr. Kaitlyn Filip, and Dr. Diane Gill, along with CIMST Chair Dr. Mohammad Salam, attended the conference.

CSU faculty co-hosted an LIS information table in the conference Exhibits Hall alongside CSU students and alumni, providing an opportunity to showcase the university’s LIS program and engage with library and information science professionals from across the field. Faculty members also contributed scholarly presentations addressing timely topics including artificial intelligence literacy, library leadership, and civic engagement.

The conference also provided an opportunity for current students, alumni, and faculty to connect and represent CSU. Participants at the information table included Kirk Stephens (MSLIS 2026), Lissa Fisher (MSLIS 2025), Liz Mason (MSLIS student), Noha Ezeldin (MSLIS 2026), Nicole Cowan (MSLIS 2024), and Stacy Burgoon (MSLIS 2025).

Among the scholarly activities highlighted at the conference was Dr. Diane Gill’s poster, “Leading Literacy Conversations about AI,” reflecting the program’s engagement with emerging issues at the intersection of artificial intelligence, information literacy, and librarianship.

CIMST is proud of the participation of its LIS faculty, students, and alumni at this milestone ALA conference and their continued contributions to scholarship, professional engagement, and the advancement of library and information science.