National Searching Guidance - latest edition

The National Searching Guidance for NHS/healthcare libarians has been updated and the January 2026 edition is available.  As with previous editions, it starts with guidance for each stage of an evidence search (i.e. planning, execution, results). Although the focus is on searches related to health, these general guidelines and prompts are more widely useful. Following general guidance on each stage of a search are sections with detailed guidance for specific types of search.
It can be accessed freely on the Searching and Training Forums' wiki at https://sites.google.com/site/healthliteraturesearchers/Home
Photo by Sheila Webber: misty day, December 2025

Recent articles: STEM & AI; CIL

- Chomintra, M., & Pascuzzi, P. E. (2025). GIS Librarians’ Involvement in Critical Information Literacy Instruction. Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, 112. https://doi.org/10.29173/istl2923 [GIS = Geographic information systems] (open access)

- Matthews, D. J., Wheeler, A., Insley, H. A., & Mackintosh, D. C. (2025). Promoting the Ethical and Appropriate Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in STEM Subjects at a University: An Opportunity for Increased Classroom Collaboration Between Lecturers and Librarians? Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, 112. https://doi.org/10.29173/istl2935 (open access)
Photo by Sheila Webber: Edinburgh, December 2025

LILAC Learning sets

People who are intending to attend the LILAC (information literacy) conference in Sheffield, UK, 30 March - 1 April 2026, can sign up for a new initiative: LILAC Learning sets. The idea is that " attendees who take part will be grouped together with colleagues from diverse organisations, geographical locations, and career stages, and supported to maintain contact throughout the 12 months following the conference. More info at https://infolit.org.uk/keep-that-lilac-buzz-going-with-lilac-learning-sets/ and the expressions of interest form is here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecHHgtFzB7_Enf8QnuSbYQr5YRNxzn_zU8qvpF51v87PZpkw/viewform

Call for proposals: Ungrading in Credit-Bearing Library Instruction: Alternative Assessment Practices

There is a call for proposals for chapters in Ungrading in Credit-Bearing Library Instruction: Alternative Assessment Practices to be published by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). Proposals must be submitted by 31 January 2026.
"Contributed Chapters Core chapters feature case studies of real-world applications, from minimalist integrations within traditional systems to comprehensive ungrading models. Contributors will share practical strategies, examples, and candid reflections on challenges and lessons learned. This section could also include essays on theoretical approaches to alternative assessments.
"... We seek case study chapters that explore ungrading and alternative assessment approaches used in credit-bearing library instruction, whether integrated within traditional grading structures or used as the dominant approach. Chapters should share practical strategies and examples of ungrading or alternative grading methods, such as contract, specifications, or standards-based grading. We are also interested in reflections on challenges, considerations, and lessons learned during implementation, as well as discussions that connect assessment practices to pedagogical values like empowerment, exploration, and lifelong learning."
Submit using the form (including a 300-500 word abstract and a CV or publications list) here https://binghamton.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5d9WjKaH02aAMxo
Chapter Length (if the proposal is accepted) will be 3,000-6,000 wordswith the first draft due in May 31, 2026. Questions to ungradingbook@gmail.com
Photo by Sheila Webber: Christmas tree thrown out, no. 4 (lurking behind the front wall), January 2026

Call for nominations: Information Literacy Award and Student Award

Nominations for the Information Literacy Award and Student Award are now open. The closing date for both awards is 6 February 2026 at 17:00 GMT sharp. 
- Information Literacy Award. This is sponsored by the CILIP Information Literacy Group and the UCL Department of Information. 
"The award is open to all practitioners, researchers and academics working in the IL field within the UK. Nominations must demonstrate impact, innovation, initiative, and originality in one or more of the following areas: Raising the profile of IL within an organisation/ community or sector; Initiating or contributing to national, regional, or local projects/ initiatives which enhance IL skills for an identified client group(s); Developing a digital resource (e.g., online course, service, product, or app) which develops and enhances IL skills; Undertaking original research in the field of IL and making a significant contribution to the literature" 
Nominations may be from any sector, from individuals or teams, and you can self-nominate or nominate others. 
More info at https://www.lilacconference.com/awards/information-literacy-award.  

- Rowena Macrae-Gibson Student Award. This provides a sponsored place at the LILAC conference for two students registered on a UK study programme. The award includes a full conference place, including social events, and reasonable UK travel and accommodation expenses up to the value of £250. Full-time or part-time students (including distance-learners) can apply, providing they are registered for a UK-based first degree or taught postgraduate qualification in information/ library studies or information literacy (IL). 
More info at https://www.lilacconference.com/awards/student-sponsored-places. 
Photo by Sheila Webber: Christmas tree thrown out, no. 3 (hiding behind the lavender bush), January 2026

Webinar: Opportunity for Change: Turning First-Year Oneshots into Workshops

LILi's first free Show and Tell webinar for 2026 is Opportunity for Change: Turning First-Year Oneshots into Workshops on 14 January 2026 at 11.00 US Pacific time (19.00 GMT/UK time).
The presenter is Kaitlyn Goss-Peirce.
"Tredway Library at Augustana College, like many academic libraries, is doing too much. It is evident in nearly every aspect of our work, but the instruction overload in particular can be unwieldy: our team teaches an average of 200-220 library sessions each academic year. ... This presentation will overview our process of change by outlining the tensions that prompted the need for change and the conversations from our development stages, before concluding with some practical tips and lessons learned for other librarians who are also looking for ways to do differently instead of doing more."
More information and Zoom link are here https://lili.libguides.com/showandtell/home

Experiences with Information Literacy: The NSSE Topical Module

ACRL has a Libguide related to the USA's and Canada's National Survey of Student Engagement (administered to undergraduate students): "this guide provides resources, ideas, and tools related to the “Experiences with Information Literacy” topical module on the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). There are resources for librarians, administrators, and campus partners." It includes a list of the relevant questions asked on the NSSE.
Go to https://acrl.libguides.com/c.php?g=1438979&p=10685793
Photo by Sheila Webber: Christmas tree thrown out, no. 2, January 2026

Information literacy online workshops

Ohio State University (USA) University Libraries Teaching & Learning Department, has a series of free information literacy workshops. The ones coming up in January are:
- Teaching AI Fluency with Authenticity and Vulnerability. 15 January 2026 at 12.00-13.00 USA Eastern time (which is 17.00-18.00 GMT/UK time) "In this workshop, two educators with varying levels of expertise with AI will discuss how educators, even those who may not have a great deal of experience using AI tools, can approach teaching with or talking about AI in an authentic manner." To register go to https://go.osu.edu/sp26aifluency
- Information Literacy: Definitions and Core Concepts. 22 January 2026 at 12.00-13.00 USA Eastern time (which is 17.00-18.00 GMT/UK time). "In this workshop, participants will learn about several definitions of information literacy and develop an understanding of the key concepts, skills, and dispositions associated with information literacy. In addition, participants will learn why explicit information literacy instruction is crucial to students’ academic and professional success and consider what their role in supporting students’ information literacy development might be." To register go to https://go.osu.edu/sp26ildefinitions
- Teaching Information Literacy: Strategies and Resources. 29 January 2026 at 12.00-13.00 USA Eastern time (which is 17.00-18.00 GMT/UK time). "In this workshop, participants will learn more about strategies and activities that they can use to teach information literacy in a variety of contexts. In addition, participants will become familiar with multiple resources available to help them integrate information literacy into their teaching practices." To register go to https://go.osu.edu/sp26ilstrategies
The whole series is listed at https://u.osu.edu/teachinginfolit/teaching-information-literacy-workshops/virtual-workshop-series/
Photo by Sheila Webber: Christmas tree thrown out no. 1, January 2026

Webinar: AI across library sectors.

As part of the CILIP members fest, the Information Literacy Group offers a free webinar AI across library sectors on 2 March 2026 at 14.00-15.30 GMT (UK time) (via Zoom)
"A panel of speakers from a variety of library sectors will discuss their current experiences of AI in their workplaces. Speakers will outline the key issues and concerns regarding AI in their sector at present, as well as any current plans or initiatives within this area. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their own experiences of AI, ask questions and share ideas on ways to manage this fast-moving technology within libraries."
Speakers: Jane Secker (Associate Professor in Educational Development, City St Georges, University of London): Drew Feeney (Librarian and Museum Project Engagement Officer, North Lanarkshire Council);  Anne-Lise Harding (Strategic Training Lead, House of Commons Library); Joy McLean (Senior Librarian, West College Scotland); Sarah Pavey (Education Consultant, SP4IL); Katie Smith (Knowledge Specialist, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust).
More information at https://www.cilip.org.uk/event/membersfest26_AI_literacy

Media and Information Literacy Training Toolkit for Malaysian Newsrooms

Happy new year! I'll start the year with another UNESCO co-publication, an 8 page guide for media organisations in Malaysia:
Loh, B.Y.H. (2025, December) Media and Information Literacy Training Toolkit for Malaysian Newsrooms. Malaysiakini & UNESCO.
There is information about Malaysiakini here. "This toolkit seeks to furnish Malaysian media with suggestions and guides on how they can implement MIL into their newsrooms to better engage with youths."
Go to https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hl-Jp21sEBRWS2Pq2bNqu0kHXIfwK2LE/view
Photo by Sheila Webber: misty day, December 2025

Call for Proposals: Second Empirical Studies in Libraries Summit

There is a call for proposals for the Second Empirical Studies in Libraries Summit to be held online 26 March 2026. Deadline for proposals is 19 January 2026. This is "a forum dedicated to showcasing and discussing the latest research and findings happening in and about libraries." You can propose presentations, workshops, posters, and panel discussions.
Indicative topics are:  Innovative methodologies in library research; User experience and satisfaction studies; Data-driven decision-making in library services; Impact assessment of library programs and services; Information-seeking and user behavior studies; Collaboration between libraries and community organizations; The role of libraries in promoting digital or information literacy; Case studies highlighting successful empirical research in libraries.
For more information go to  https://www.esils.org/call-for-proposals  

#MIL in Kazakhstan

A press release from UNESCO reports on training sessions as part of preparatory work on the introduction of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) into the state compulsory education standard and secondary education curricula of the Republic of Kazakhstan. There is more information in Russian and Kazakh.
Go to https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/kazakhstan-takes-important-step-towards-introducing-media-and-information-literacy-countrys
Photo by Sheila Webber: crackers cracked, December 2025

New book: Libraries Empowering Society through Digital Literacy

Todd, Heather; Dalrymple, Prudence W.; Marquardt, Luisa and Zou, Ning. (Eds.) (2026). Libraries Empowering Society through Digital Literacy. De Gruyter Saur. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110533583
This book has an international range of authors. There are 23 chapters divided into three parts: Part I Public and School Libraries Promote Digital Literacy through Digital Access and Skills Building; Part II Academic Libraries Take Novel Approaches to Advance Digital Skills; Part III The Influence of Digital Information
Photo by Sheila Webber: Xmas wreaths, December 2025