Diane Kelly, the Louis Round Wilson Distinguished Professor in the School of Data and Information Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will deliver the 2026 Otlet Lecture on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The lecture will begin at 2 p.m. in Room 126, 501 E. Daniel Street, and on Zoom. A reception will follow. Admission is open to all.

This year marks the sixth cohort of the iSchool's Postdoctoral Research Associate Program. The program prepares candidates for tenure-track assistant professor or other appointments inside and outside of academia. The iSchool welcomes four new postdocs in the 2026–27 academic year.

The iSchool at Illinois is pleased to announce the open access publication of Library Trends 75 (1) “Cultural Heritage in Crisis.” 

Robert Wedgeworth (MSLIS '61), former University Librarian at Illinois and the iSchool's 1991 Distinguished Alumnus, will deliver the 2026 Windsor Lecture at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 9, online via Zoom. Room 126 in 501 E. Daniel Street will be available for viewing.

The iSchool is proud to announce the following appointments: Masooda Bashir has been promoted to professor; Madelyn Sanfilippo has been promoted to associate professor with indefinite tenure; John Weible has been promoted to principal lecturer; and Elizabeth Wickes (MSLIS '16) has been promoted to senior lecturer. 

A record number of new faculty will join the iSchool this fall: 13 across ranks and disciplines.

As assistant dean for community, culture, and engagement, Caroline Nappo will help lead and shape the Office of Community, Culture, and Engagement and its team.

Jeanie Chung has joined the Communications and Marketing team as assistant director of communications and content strategy. 

The iSchool Alumni Association (ISAA) is pleased to announce the recipients of its annual awards.