The School of Information Sciences (iSchool) is pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa A. Wong (MSLIS '94) as editor-in-chief of its quarterly journal Library Trends, effective February 1, 2024. Her experience as a librarian, library director, author, editor, instructor, and instructional designer will advance the breadth of the journal's influence on practice and scholarship in the field of library and information science.
"Library Trends has a long history of producing thematic issues that address timely and important topics in library and information science," said Wong. "I am excited to continue this tradition by identifying cutting-edge conversations that are happening in the profession to facilitate additional scholarly exploration."
A longtime adjunct lecturer for the iSchool's top-ranked MSLIS program, Wong teaches courses on the topics of instructional strategies, e-learning, reference and information services, academic librarianship, and the administration and management of libraries. She is consistently included on the University's list of "Teachers Ranked as Excellent," based on outstanding ratings received from her students. Her expertise includes creating relevant and engaging online learning using authentic content and inclusive, accessible design. In 2012, she received the Campus Award for Excellence in Online and Distance Teaching.
Wong has greatly influenced the education of reference librarians and the field of reference librarianship. In 2022, she received the Reference and User Services Association's highest honor, the Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award, which recognizes distinguished contributions to reference librarianship. She has contributed to notable textbooks, including coauthoring the open access textbook Instruction in Libraries and Information Centers (Windsor & Downs, 2020) and coediting three editions of Reference and Information Services: 5th edition (Libraries Unlimited, 2016), 6th edition (Libraries Unlimited, 2020), and 7th edition (Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited, 2024). Wong also authored Instructional Design for LIS Professionals (Libraries Unlimited, 2019) as well as other publications. She is a frequent presenter at conferences and, with Professor Laura Saunders of Simmons University, co-created the LIS Pedagogy Chat online community of practice.
"Melissa's vision, leadership, and substantial experience will contribute greatly to our journal’s longstanding reputation as an essential tool for librarians and educators," said Dean Eunice E. Santos.
Wong's experience includes serving as an instructional design specialist for the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center; lecturer for the School of Library and Information Science, Simmons University; lecturer for the School of Information (formerly the School of Library and Information Science), San Jose State University; library director for Marymount California University; and librarian for the University of Southern California. Prior to earning her MSLIS from the iSchool (formerly the Graduate School of Library and Information Science), she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Augustana College in Illinois.
Since 1952, Library Trends has addressed critical trends in librarianship through practical applications, thorough analyses, and literature reviews. A thematic journal, each issue explores a topic of professional interest through in-depth, thoughtful articles. Library Trends is published for the School of Information Sciences by Johns Hopkins University Press.