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The Graduate Student Organization (GSO) hosted a Haunted Crafternoon on October 29, bringing Library and Information Science students together for an afternoon of Halloween-themed crafts, socializing, and local ghost stories. The event provided an opportunity for students to connect with classmates, share local folklore, and strengthen the sense of community within the program.

Congratulations to Elvira Jiā Xī Mancini on successfully defending  her MLISc thesis “A River of Voices: Reclaiming Culture And Adoptee Stories Through Adoptee Community Archives.” She’s shown here with committee members Kumu Keahiahi Long (Chair), Noah Dolim (History), Alexandria Rayburn, and Andrew Wertheimer. It was fascinating to hear her research and how the project evolved from oral histories to the work of creating a community archive.�� 

Rich Gazan has been working with faculty at the ������ƵM English Department to establish our eighth Dual Master’s Degree. We anticipate approval in the next few months. Historically, English degrees are one of the most common undergraduate degrees of LIS students. This will help students to build on expertise related to publishing, literacy, and many other issues.

The LIS Program showed our support for intellectual freedom by co-sponsoring HLA’s screening of the Librarians at HoMA’s Doris Duke Theater in October. LIS Alumni Jenny Foster (State Law Library) and Danielle Fujii (School Librarian, Kalaheo High School; Former HASL President)  joined ACLU Attorney Leilani Stacy and State Librarian Stacey Aldrich on a panel that followed the screening. Some students and faculty attended the event and enjoyed seeing our alumni and supporters who are on the front lines of providing access to library users.�� 

LIS Alumni Cynthia Engle (Archivist, Executive Director, Hawaiian Historical Society) took part in a panel on Preservation Careers, sponsored by the Historic Hawai‘i Foundation and the Mānoa Career Center. Dr. Wertheimer also ran a recruitment table to welcome future students. Engle shared her mission to preserve and provide access to local collections and also shared stories about how she shaped her career.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library and Information Science (LIS) program is seeking a dynamic, full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor to join our academic community in the area of Culturally Responsive Data Science. We invite applications from scholars and educators dedicated to advancing research, shaping the future of information professions, and teaching within our ALA-accredited Master’s program and the College of Social Sciences’ new SODA (Social Data Analytics) data sciences initiative.��The ideal candidate will maintain an active research agenda, contribute to our core curriculum across face-to-face and online formats, and actively engage with graduate students and professional communities. For more details regarding minimum and desirable qualifications, application requirements, and how to apply, please view the .��

Dr. Alexandria Rayburn is an assistant professor in the Library and Information Science program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She received her PhD and MIS from the University of Michigan School of Information. Before and during graduate school, she worked in a variety of library, archive, and museum collections. Her research centers around the data practices in these collections.

Museum collections are many things, but primarily they function as repositories of information, where data-intensive work has been conducted for decades. These collections require highly skilled technicians to work on computing projects and maintain long-lived digital systems. However, in prior representations of this computing work, women’s voices and perspectives are underappreciated, even though they have significant labor contributions in this area.

Her presentation on September 9, 2026 explored two examples of early gendered data work at the National Museum of American History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art—institutions whose leadership in museum computing has had lasting implications for museum best practices and the value placed on computing tasks like data entry.

Dr. Violet Harada has been awarded the 2026 College of Social Sciences Award for Distinguished Retired Faculty. The honor recognizes retired faculty members who maintain an active, outstanding record of scholarship, leadership, and professional expertise in their field.

In the award announcement, Dean Denise Konan praised Dr. Harada for her ongoing contributions to the Library and Information Science (LIS) Program, highlighting her continued teaching, collaborative course development, interdisciplinary research, and success in securing external funding.

“Your colleagues highly value your mentorship and leadership,” noted Dean Konan. Adding to the recognition, Andrew Wertheimer, Director of the LIS Program, echoed this, “Vi is an amazing colleague who transforms projects into teachable moments about leadership and intentionality. She could have been a Fortune 500 with her energy and vision, but we are lucky that she gives that to promote libraries here in Hawaiʻi nei.”

Dr. Harada’s enduring commitment to the field continues to inspire both colleagues and incoming generations of information professionals.

The Xi Chapter at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa recently convened a group of volunteers to support the  on June 14, 2026. This annual fundraiser helps support public library services and programs throughout the state. Xi Chapter members Tisha Aragaki, Meera Garud, Junie Hayashi, Brooke Jones, and Alohalani Paakaula-Lozier helped manage the checkout lines and restock books on display. 

Group photo at book sale featuring (L-R): Brooke Jones, Meera Garud, Tisha Aragaki, Alohalani Paakaula-Lozier

The LIS Program is proud to celebrate the 11 students who earned their Master of Library and Information Science (MLISc) degree this spring. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Commencement ceremony on May 16, 2026 marked the culmination of years of dedication, community engagement, and professional growth for this talented cohort.

The celebration continued the following day at the Hui Dui Grad Brunch at Mānoa Valley District Park, where graduates gathered with friends, family, faculty, staff, current students, and even a few pets. The event featured food, fellowship, and awards from both the LIS Program and Hui Dui, highlighting the cohort’s accomplishments.

We congratulate our Spring 2026 graduates and look forward to the many ways they will enrich libraries, archives, and information organizations across Hawaiʻi and beyond.

Devlin Abert

Brooke Hiʻilani Chang

Annika Edwards

Brianne Imada

Kristen Lyda Rees

Dominic Sagapolutele

Jon Snyder

Alexis Tam

Amanda Wentz

Anna Wood

The LIS faculty have nominated eight graduating students to the Beta Phi Mu Xi Chapter for the 2025-2026 academic year: Devlin Abert, Halley Cloud, Annika Edwards, Kyle Hart, Brianne Imada, Alohalani Paakaula-Lozier, Autusa Pardisi, and Anna Wood. Beta Phi Mu is the library & information studies international honor society and ������Ƶ Mānoa is home to the Xi Chapter. 

Each year, faculty nominate up to 35% of the graduating class, selecting students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and potential as a future library leader. Once nominated, alumni may join BPM at any time in the future.��
In recognition of their achievements and service, the nominees were each offered a $250 award from the Ralph R. Shaw Memorial General Aid fund. Awards are made possible by generous donors and facilitated by the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation. Donors can support future students by contributing to the Shaw fund .

Recent LIS graduate and current Plant Records Manager at the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauaʻi presented at the LIS Research Forum on April 21st on his thesis “SIERA-ex: An interdisciplinary LIS thesis from 2025 that continues to inform plant conservation”.��

Kevin has been the Plant Records Manager at the National Tropical Botanical Garden since 2017, where he directs living collections field inventory and database management for NTBG gardens and preserves in Hawaiʻi and Florida. Working closely with so many rare species, he has progressively sought to adapt a framework that effectuates the intersectionality of conservation biology and biocultural stewardship. In 2025, Kevin Houck introduced SIERA-ex (Single Island Endemic Representativeness Analysis for ex situ collections), a product of his Library and Information Science Thesis at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. This Kauaʻi-based empirical model and accompanying open-source software application leverages botanical databases and geospatial tools for place-based gap analysis. It introduces metrics for assignment of priority values that incorporate biocultural value and rarity assessments. A case study of nine Kauaʻi species launched SIERA-ex, whereby nearly a dozen underrepresented subpopulations of plants were identified and recommended for conservation priority with varying degrees of urgency. Since launch, additional species have been analyzed, and field collections have been shared and propagated amongst partner nurseries for restoration efforts.

This year’s  was moved to Zoom on Friday, April 10, 2026 after the ������Ƶ Mānoa campus was closed due to extreme weather. The theme of the Open House was Human-Centered AI and featured Dr. Shyam Sundar, who is a recognized expert on socially responsible AI. Dr. Sundar proceeded with his keynote presentation on Zoom and the SCI Alumni of the Year awards were also presented. The LIS awardee this year was , retired Digital Initiatives Librarian from Kapiʻolani Community College, previous Hawaiʻi Library Association president, and community leader.

Rich Gazan has been working with faculty at the ������ƵM English Department to establish our eighth Dual Master’s Degree. We anticipate approval in the next few months. Historically, English degrees are one of the most common undergraduate degrees of LIS students. This will help students to build on expertise related to publishing, literacy, and many other issues.��

The Library and Information Science Graduate Program in the School of Communication and Information has been named one of 20 degree programs to receive the 2026 Hōpoe Assessment Award, a new faculty-led honor recognizing exemplary commitment to strengthening curriculum and student learning.

Selected from more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs, the 20 awardees emerged through a rigorous peer-review process led by the Assessment Report Review Committee (ARRC), a team of approximately 40 faculty members trained jointly by the Mānoa Faculty Senate’s Committee on Educational Effectiveness (CEE) and the ������Ƶ Assessment and Curriculum Support Center (ACSC).

The award was established in 2025 by the Mānoa Faculty Senate’s CEE to celebrate faculty-driven efforts to use assessment meaningfully and effectively. CEE Chair Justin Walguarnery described the initiative as “for faculty, by faculty,” honoring the thoughtful, sustained work of using assessment to make an appreciable difference in the academic experience.

“Hōpoe” evokes the ʻōhiʻa lehua in its fullest and most vibrant bloom—a powerful symbol of programs that have matured, flourished, and demonstrated a deep commitment to continuous improvement.

“We’ve always valued reflective practice,” said Rich Gazan, who as Program Director coordinated LIS assessment during the review period.  “For our students and for ourselves.  We thank the Assessment Report Review Committee for this honor.” 

Beginning in Fall 2026, all degree programs will have the opportunity to conduct a self-evaluation using the award’s criteria, which include clearly articulated student learning outcomes, curriculum mapping, evidence of student learning, fair and reliable evaluation practices, meaningful use of results, and culturally responsive assessment. Programs that demonstrate “full bloom” across these areas will be automatically nominated for subsequent Hōpoe awards.

For more information: /news/2026/02/13/hopoe-award-honors-manoa-programs/

Three LIS students graduating this spring—Devlin Abert, Kristen Lyda Rees, and Jon Snyder—have been named recipients of the Lillian Nicolich Memorial Award. This distinguished honor recognizes students who “make lives better for everyone around them.” Drawing on nominations from students, faculty, and members of the professional community, the selection committee identified individuals who lead through generosity, collaboration, and service. Whether in the classroom, through professional engagement, or in everyday interactions, each recipient exemplifies a spirit of gracious leadership.

Devlin Abert is recognized for her positive and thoughtful presence in the classroom. Her active engagement encourages others to contribute, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas. In nominating Devlin, a faculty member noted that Devlin’s intellectual curiosity consistently propels her beyond course expectations. In a class assignment evaluating a digital archive, she independently reached out to project creators to gain deeper insight—an initiative not required, yet deeply appreciated. As her instructor observed, “In the midst of a busy semester and looming deadlines, this level of curiosity and commitment to going above and beyond was truly admirable.”

Lyda Rees is celebrated for her exceptional record of service within both the LIS program and the broader professional community. Peers nominating Lyda highlighted her empathy, attentiveness, and readiness to support others. Her leadership roles include serving as treasurer for Hui Dui, contributing to the SAA student chapter, participating in Nā Hawai‘i ‘Imi Loa, and presenting at Hawai‘i Library Association conferences. Across these efforts, Lyda demonstrates a collaborative, solution-oriented approach. As one student shared, “To say that Lyda is a lifelong learner is an understatement; she is simply amazing.”

Jon Snyder was nominated by a professional mentor who commended his dedication to service and leadership. As secretary of the SAA student chapter, Jon works to strengthen connections within the archival student community. He balances academic responsibilities with his role as Project Archivist at ‘Ulu‘ulu, all while remaining an engaged and supportive collaborator. A non-traditional student who transitioned from a career in graphics, Jon brings a valuable perspective to discussions of career pathways. His mentor noted that “Jon is a role model for lifelong learning and offers unique insight into the job market and professional growth.”

The Lillian Nicolich Memorial Award was established by LIS alumni to honor the legacy of Lillian Nicolich, a 2006 graduate who passed away in 2024. Remembered for her kindness, integrity, and unwavering dedication to others, Lillian embodied the very qualities this award seeks to recognize.

For more information about the award, visit:
/lis/introducing-the-lillian-nicolich-memorial-award/

To make a donation, please visit:

New students in the First Semester Seminar visited Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on Friday, March 6th and toured the museum and library with current LIS student and PHAM librarian, Camille Dahmen. They then visited Moku o Lo’e on Saturday, March 7th, and toured the island and library with current LIS student and Moku o Lo’e employee, Kelsey Maloney. The field trips gave them the opportunity to not only see fellow students in their work environments and learn more about Hawaiʻi libraries and museums, but also to build community with each other.

22 faculty and students showed up for the program’s 7th Lunch & Learn on Sunday March 8th. Activities included seminars on writing reflective essays, web design, and feasting on Mandi’s homemade chili.

Future archivists in the ������ƵM Society of American Archivists Student Chapter visited the ������ƵM Center for Oral History on 24 February. The COH is one of the nation’s oldest oral history centers, and will be celebrating its 50th anniversary soon.�� They were interested in how oral history pioneering activists developed collections and learned about their preservation challenges.��