LIBRARY & INFORMATION SCIENCE NEWS
This post, “Library and Information Science (LIS) News,” on the Librarianship Studies & Information Technology blog serves as a curated hub of the latest developments, updates, and highlights in the field of Library and Information Science. It brings together recent news items shared on the blog, offering librarians, information professionals, researchers, and students a convenient way to stay informed about ongoing trends and activities within the discipline.
As the LIS field continues to evolve with advancements in digital technologies, information management practices, and knowledge dissemination, such news compilations play a vital role in connecting professionals with current happenings. The post reflects the blog’s commitment to knowledge sharing and professional development by providing timely and relevant information to the global LIS community.
By consolidating important updates in one place, this LIS News section enhances awareness, encourages continuous learning, and supports informed engagement with emerging issues and innovations in librarianship and information science.
FOLIO’s Sunflower Release (2026) - PHILADELPHIA — March 17, 2026 — The FOLIO Open Source Community has issued its latest named release, opening the way for many sites to adopt FOLIO. The Sunflower Release signifies the completion of a major change in architecture for the FOLIO Library Services Platform (LSP) in addition to exciting enhancements. The FOLIO open-source project, which leverages expertise from libraries, developers and service providers, has built a fully functional open source LSP that is being implemented around the world. The major architectural change is from Okapi to the Eureka platform.
Tamika Barnes - Tamika Barnes is a distinguished American academic librarian and library leader who, in April 2026, was elected to serve as the President of the American Library Association (ALA), the world’s largest professional organization for librarians for the 2027–2028 term. Currently serving as the President of the Georgia Library Association (GLA) and the Associate Dean of Perimeter College Library Services at Georgia State University, Barnes has dedicated over two decades to the library profession.
Flexible BIBFRAME Cataloging with Linked Open Data Editor (Alma) - Alma is a cloud-based library services platform developed by Ex Libris, designed to help libraries manage all their resources—print, electronic, and digital—within a single unified system. Introduced as a modern alternative to traditional integrated library systems (ILS), Alma streamlines core library operations such as acquisitions, cataloging, circulation, and resource sharing. It supports collaborative workflows and integrates seamlessly with discovery tools like Primo ... ... ...
Modern MARC: Key Changes in Cataloging (Library of Congress, March 2026) - In early 2026, the Library of Congress (LC) transitioned to a "Modern MARC" approach, a strategy designed to bridge the gap between traditional MARC 21 records and modern linked data standards like BIBFRAME ... ... ...
Librarianship Studies & Information Technology is the Best Blog of Library and Information Science (LIS) -- 10 Million+ Pageviews -- 60 Thousand+ Followers - Librarianship Studies & Information Technology is an internationally recognized Library and Information Science (LIS) blog dedicated to education, professional development, and knowledge sharing for librarians, catalogers, researchers, and LIS students worldwide. Since its launch in 2014, the blog has grown into a major open-access knowledge platform serving the global LIS community ... ... ...
Library of Congress to Expand Use of LC Genre/Form Terms (LCGFT) and Implement Subject Heading (LCSH and CYAC—Children & Young Adult) Cataloging Simplification - Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms for Library and Archival Materials is a stand-alone vocabulary that may be used in conjunction with any subject heading system and descriptive cataloging code. It was initially part of LCSH, but was formally separated from it in May 2011. LCGFT diverges significantly from LCSH in its scope as well as in the format and application of its terms, but it does retain a fundamental characteristic of LCSH: literary warrant. New genre/form terms, or revisions to existing terms, may be proposed as needed for new cataloging, and are based on information provided in the resources being cataloged as well as on research ... ... ...
OCLC’s New AI Cataloging Tools - OCLC has added powerful new AI features to its WorldShare Record Manager and Connexion cataloging applications. These updates help catalogers by automatically suggesting classification numbers and subject headings, saving time and improving accuracy. Catalogers can now see AI-generated suggestions for Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) numbers, Library of Congress Classification (LCC) numbers, and Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) as they create or edit records. The system draws on WorldCat data—built from hundreds of millions of library records—to make these intelligent recommendations. ... ... ...
Metadata management in times of uncertainty - That was the topic discussed recently by OCLC Research Library Partners metadata managers, initiated by Erin Grant of University of Washington, Jennifer Baxmeyer of Princeton, Roxanne Missingham of Australian National University, and Suzanne Pilsk of the Smithsonian Institution. The COVID-19 crisis has caused a dramatic change in how libraries deliver services to patrons. Many libraries have increased the number of e-book acquisitions to meet the continuing research, teaching, and learning demands of their institutions. Discovery of resources through catalogs and federated search services has become more important than ever before. In addition, working from home has become the “norm” but not necessarily for everyone. Staff that process physical material are unable to do so from home, so they are either not working, or their work assignments have changed. Metadata managers have been learning many lessons from this period about how they should think about future crises and about how they might operate differently once staff return to work at their physical locations ... ... ...
Congratulations to Dr. Jian Qin, winner of the 2020 LITA/OCLC Kilgour Research Award - Dr. Jian Qin has been selected as the recipient of the 2020 Frederick G. Kilgour Award for Research in Library and Information Technology, sponsored by OCLC and the Library and Information Technology Association (LITA). She is the Professor and Director at the iSchool, Syracuse University ... ... ...
Ex Libris Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Innovative - Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement to acquire Innovative, a leading provider of integrated library systems for public, academic, and specialty libraries. Innovative will become a business unit within Ex Libris. The Innovative products that customers have relied on for many years will continue to be supported and enhanced. Ex Libris and Innovative have a long history of close collaboration with the user community and remain dedicated to working with their user groups—IUG, ELUNA, and IGeLU—in order to receive input and guidance for the enhancement of current solutions and the development of new ones. Both companies have a longstanding commitment to openness, and the joint organization will continue to work with partners in the library and academic ecosystem for the benefit of customers. The acquisition is expected to close in early 2020 ... ... ...
Ebook Embargo on Libraries is Only the Tip of the Iceberg - In this essay, the recent move of MacMillan publishing's embargo on eBooks restricting access to library patrons is used as a device to illustrate a larger threat of publishers of information continuing to put profit over the reader experience. A point made that when a top five International book publisher picks a fight with 138,000 librarians, a $143 billion industry is led by reactive measures to protect a bottom line rather than focusing on innovative strategies to grow and engage readership ... ... ...
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