ASI News
—National Indexing Day to put focus on AI
—Survey: What type of conference works for you?
—Discuss rule-breaking and more on Playground
—Webinar: Learn about legal system’s evolution and language
Chapters and SIGS
—Join PNW Chapter fall meeting on passing mentions
Associated Industry News
—ISC/SCI’s 2026 conference set for April 10–11
—Major library vendor closing
Business and Marketing
—Check out Publishers Weekly newsletter
To Your Health
—Navigate health care enrollment
Spotlight on Lisa Sorenson
ASI News
National Indexing Day to put focus on AI
ASI will celebrate its second annual National Indexing Day on November 18 to honor the craft of indexing and the value of indexes.
This year’s event will focus on marketing the findings from the AI Committee to publishers, authors, and editors, as well as recommendations on AI use in conjunction with indexing. ASI will use a targeted email campaign and social media to reach those audiences. In addition, indexers will be provided with email templates they can use to send to their clients. Watch for more information.
The date was chosen because ASI’s first formal board meeting was on November 18, 1968, in New York City. ASI, whose founding was inspired by the British Society of Indexers, is one of a worldwide community of indexing associations in countries including Canada, Australia and New Zealand, South Africa and China.
Survey: What type of conference works for you?
ASI is conducting a survey for input on its conferences in 2026 and beyond. ASI hopes to gauge would-be attendees’ preferences on location, costs, and type of conference.
The survey, which is open to both ASI and non-ASI members, takes about 12 minutes to complete. You have until November 5 at 5 pm Pacific to respond. Be sure to choose Done so that your responses are submitted.
Discuss rule-breaking and more on Playground
Take a break on November 19, 2025, for the next Indexing Playground, which starts at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time.
The Playgrounds are an opportunity for ASI members to informally gather online with peers and chat about indexing and running a business.
The breakout room topics will be:
Back of the Book, Back in the Day: Tell stories of and recollect indexing when AI stood for “AOL Incoming” and Amazon was just a jungle in South America.
Cross-References Gone Wild: Show your wild side and confess to indexing’s best and most freeing “rules” to break.
Indexed & Reviewed: Share interesting books you’ve recently indexed—either because the job itself proved particularly atypical, or because the book was a joy (or nightmare) to read.
Recess: A digital sandbox with no agenda.
A Zoom link will be emailed to all ASI members.
Webinar: Learn about legal system’s evolution and language
ASI’s October webinar, “Legal Indexing: A Brief Introduction,” delves into the United States’ legal system, offering attendees a bank of knowledge applicable to texts involving the law, court cases, and the Constitution.
Presenter Jennifer Allison, a former academic law librarian who also teaches law courses and legal research and runs a freelance business, gave a detailed overview of the United States legal system—from its evolution as a form of Great Britain’s common law system to the interplay of case law and statutes in how our system works today. Along the way, she offered context and tips on the language and terms of art indexers may come across.
In discussing an index she recently finished on legal treatises, Jennifer gave insight into her decision-making in organizing main entries and cross-references, especially regarding constitutional clauses.
Jennifer also shared tips on finding reputable resources online, and attendees left with a valuable list of resources, many free.
For those already registered, replays are available. The webinar replay can also be purchased.
Chapters and SIGS
Join PNW Chapter fall meeting on passing mentions
Presenter Emma Warnken Johnson will share her “Flowchart for Passing Mentions” at the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Chapter’s 2025 fall online meeting on November 15.
Attendees will learn how to make consistent decisions about what should be indexed and what should be left on the page, which is especially helpful for challenging projects with lots of gray areas.
All are welcome. The session, followed by break-out rooms, will run from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Pacific time. It is free for PNW chapter members, $5 for ASI members who are not PNW members, and $10 for all others. Register by November 10.
Everyone must register, but only non-PNW members need to follow the link to pay online. The Zoom link for the meeting will be sent in advance of the meeting. Questions? Email meetingpnw@gmail.com.
Associated Industry News
ISC/SCI’s 2026 conference set for April 10–11
The Indexing Society of Canada (ISC/SCI 2026) will hold its annual conference April 10–11, 2026. The theme of the virtual conference will be Sorting It Out. Registration will begin in February.
Major library vendor closing
Baker & Taylor, a major distributor of books and other materials to academic and public libraries, is expected to close by the end of 2025, according to Publishers Weekly.
The North Carolina-based company has been in business for nearly 200 years. The expected closure comes after a failed acquisition with ReaderLink Distribution Services.
American Libraries Magazine gives a look at the role of the distributor and what may come next.
Business and Marketing
Check out Publishers Weekly newsletters
To keep up with trends and news in the book industry, check out Publishers Weekly’s free newsletters.
There are a variety that anyone can subscribe to. You can tailor the selections to your specific interests.
To Your Health
Navigate health care enrollment
Gallagher is the new name for LIG Solutions, a benefit of ASI membership that offers help evaluating health insurance options to find the best coverage for your needs.
The open enrollment period for the federal health insurance marketplace and for Medicare starts November 1 and runs through January 15, 2026. More details are here.
ASI members can visit Gallagher online or call 866-735-2841 for assistance in navigating the choices.
Spotlight on Lisa Sorenson
This month’s Spotlight is on Lisa Sorenson, owner of Sorenson Indexing.
If you would like to be in the Spotlight, or would like to nominate someone for it, please contact Laurie Hlavaty.
Where do you live now? Where are you originally from? Do you share your home with pets or family?
I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with my husband, two cats, and two horses.
What is your educational background?
I have a master’s degree in chemistry.
Do you have any hobbies, travels, volunteer work, or other interesting things to share?
Historical reenactment (Viking Age Norse) is a hobby for my husband and me. This encompasses many “sub-hobbies” for me, including archery, fiber arts, and period cooking. Other than that, I love working with my horses, particularly my rescue, who is a behaviorally special needs horse.
What kind of work did you do before you studied indexing? Are you still doing that or other work in addition to indexing?
Most of my work (post-college, to keep it simple) has been in academia: teaching chemistry online and in-person, and as a lab director. I have also worked in research and development.
What is a favorite strategy to help motivate or inspire when you are feeling stuck during a work project?
Sometimes it is nice to take a break to recharge. I usually take a walk or do a short project outside.
When did you start indexing? When did you join ASI?
I have been indexing since 2023, and joined ASI in 2021.
For you, what is the best advantage of ASI membership?
There are a few that I can think of, but one of the best advantages is the discounts on courses and webinars.
Items to be considered for the See Also newsletter should be submitted by the 15th of the month before publication. For December 2025 issue, please email SeeAlsoEditor@asindexing.org by November 15. Thank you.