LIANZA conference

The LIANZA conference will be held 23-24 September 2025 in Wellington, New Zealand, with the theme Ko au te taiao, ko te taiao ko au - Sustaining and Changing. Lots of interesting sessions on the programme. The website and registration is here: https://www.lianza.org.nz/conference-2025/
Photo by Sheila Webber, June 2025

Recent articles: Digital literacy; Mobile information literacy; Data Literacy; AI literacy; Conterfeit citations

Volume 51 issue 3 (2025) of the Journal of Academic Librarianship (a priced publication) includes the following:
- Toward a conceptual framework on mobile information literacy in higher education by Maria Pinto, Alicia Segura (open access)
- A scoping review of digital literacy, digital competence, digital fluency and digital dexterity in academic libraries' context by Lesego Makhafola, Martha J. van Deventer, Marlene A. Holmner, Brenda van Wyk (open access)
- What's in a name? Exploring how voluntary library data literacy workshop titles and descriptions affect learner motivations to enroll by Michelle Kelly Schultz (open access) (there is also a correction to one of the tables in issue 4 of the journal)
- Scaffolding AI literacy: An instructional model for academic librarianship by Katherine A. LaFlamme
Go to https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/the-journal-of-academic-librarianship/vol/51/issue/3 

Volume 51 issue 4 (2025) of the Journal of Academic Librarianship includes the following:
- Enhancing library discovery: An approach to understanding user access to electronic resources by Patricia M. Dragon, Janet L. Mayo, Ann Carol Stocks, Rebecca Tatterson (open access)
- Towards digital information literacy guidelines for African libraries: a survey of the relationship between digital and information literacy of university students in Ghana by Martin Gameli Akakpo, Dorothy Owusuah Ahardy, Sita Sarpong Kumankumah
- The citation catastrophe: Propagation of AI-generated counterfeit citations in scholarship by Nathan T. Camp, Jason A. Bengtson, John C. Sandstrom
- Faculty opinion of subject librarians survey by Duane Wilson, Nate Cox, Emily Rodriguez
Go to https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/the-journal-of-academic-librarianship/vol/51/issue/4
Photo by Sheila Webber: hydrangea, June 2025

No Filter: Believe Everything? Think Again

The Ministry of Information in Lebanon, UNESCO, and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) have launched a national media and information Literacy campaign No Filter: Believe Everything? Think Again.
There is a press release in English and Arabic here
Photo by Sheila Webber: pine branch, June 2025

Strength and diversity through co creation and curation in library and archive settings

A free online event: ALISS showcase: strength and diversity through co creation and curation in library and archive settings on 17 July 2025 at 13.45-16.45 BST/UK time. "This afternoon event showcases a range of practical projects where library and archive services are harnessing the perspectives and expertise of their current and potential user communities to create more appropriate and better collections and services for all". Speakers are:
- The Student Curator Project: Creating connections through collections and beyond – Catherine Batson and Ivana Jurisic, University of Surrey, UK (running a collaborative staff-student partnership project based around the collections and resources in the Library);
- Liberate the Library: co-production and collaboration with students at the University of Sheffield - Rhian Stephenson, University of Sheffield, UK (discussing The Creative Library (Liberate the Library) Project);
- The Fitba Research Club - Dora Petherbridge, curator, National Library of Scotland, Scotland "The Fitba Research Club’s community curators developed research skills and information literacy to explore a rich history of sporting achievement and to create the Andrew Watson’s XI, an all-star fantasy team of Black footballers and footballers of colour who played in Scotland."
The event will be preceded by ALISS' brief AGM, open to all. To register contact Heather Dawson h.dawson@lse.ac.uk
Photo by Sheila Webber: rhododendron flowers, June 2025

Healthcare Information For All

HIFA: Healthcare Information For All made a statement about the importance of information for health at the World Health Organization's World Health Assembly 2025. You can view it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVniAi6JYLM and it is embedded below. It was read by Dr Meena Nathan Cherian, representing HIFA, who said
"Access to reliable healthcare information is fundamental to achieving universal health coverage. Every person and every health worker needs access to relevant and reliable healthcare information to protect their own health and the health of others.
"In 2023 and 2024, we undertook a global consultation through the Healthcare Information For All global health network. We gathered feedback from 2,400 health professionals, policymakers, librarians, publishers, researchers, and patient representatives.
"The respondents overwhelmingly called on WHO to explicitly champion the goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. While universal access to reliable healthcare information is implicit in the WHO's Constitution, it is not recognised in WHO policy. We urge WHO to explicitly champion this goal and convene stakeholders to develop a global strategy for its realisation. We and our partners stand ready to support."

Webinar: The case for AI literacy

A free webinar: The case for AI literacy on 28 July 2025 at 11.00-12.00 UK time/BST.
" ... you'll hear from Dame Wendy Hall, a leading voice in AI and an advisor to governments and companies around the world. She'll explain why understanding AI is now essential for professionals across all sectors, not just those in technology. Dame Wendy will be joined by a panel of experts to discuss the growing importance of AI literacy as artificial intelligence continues to shape governance, the workplace, and everyday decision-making."
This is also a sales pitch for The University of Southampton’s online MA in Artificial Intelligence, from the sound of it, but the debate could be interesting. Thanks to Richard Wakeford for highlighting this.
Register at https://southampton.streamgo.live/university-of-southampton-ai-event-with-dame-wendy-hall-280725/register
Photo by Sheila Webber: a spectacular rhododendron (it really was that luminous pink), May 2025

New report: Family and intergenerational literacy and learning

UNESCO has published a substantial (360 page) report with thoughtful and detailed accounts of literacy projects in different regions of the world. For the Western countries there is emphasis on projects engaging underserved populations. There is not a focus on information literacy specifically, but certainly some relevant material and initiatives. 

Prins, E., & Zholdoshalieva, R. (Eds.) (2025) Family and intergenerational literacy and learning: international perspectives. UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning. ISBN: 978-92-820-1259-8.
Go to https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000393131
Photo by Sheila Webber: rhododendron in the park, May 2025

Webinar: Do As I Say: Authenticity in Teaching Research Practices and Information Literacy

There's a free webinar Do As I Say: Authenticity in Teaching Research Practices and Information Literacy, on 10 July 2025 at 12.00-13.00 US Eastern time (which is 17.00-18.00 BST/UK time) presented by Jane Hammons and organised by Ohio State University Libraries.
"When starting a research project, do you always develop a list of keywords and synonyms before you search? Have you ever cited a source without reading the entire article? Do you always spend a significant amount of time evaluating each source you find? When instructors and librarians teach students how to conduct research, we often outline specific steps that students should take and provide guidelines they should follow. But, do we always follow these steps or guidelines ourselves? If we don't, why not? And what does that mean for the way we teach research and information literacy? This presentation will explore the idea of authenticity in relation to how we teach the research process. Participants will be encouraged to think about how we can approach teaching research and information literacy as it often is, rather than what we think it should look like."
Register at https://osu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6Rtch5_tSK2_1YorcjxCGw#/registrationPhoto by Sheila Webber: bandstand before the band arrive, June 2025

Recording: Developing Scalable Library Research Training

There's a recording (18 minutes) of the webinar Developing Scalable Library Research Training held in May 2025 and organised by the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), a joint project of EDUCAUSE and the Association of Research Libraries. It describes a project at University of California San Diego Library.
"The project developed a structured search protocol to support systematic literature searches and library resource navigation. It follows a linear workflow, incorporating problem-solving actions, systematic search templates, an information needs taxonomy, and worked examples to support information retrieval. Unlike general library research guides, this protocol helps users apply search heuristics and methodologies to support System 1 (intuitive) and System 2 (analytical) problem-solving for more effective search strategy development.
"Its modular design enabled the development of instructional content in multiple formats, including videos, web-based guides, infographics, quizzes, and instructor resources, supporting diverse learning contexts. The structured protocol and modular learning content have been piloted in classrooms, where they received positive initial feedback.
"Beyond modular learning, the protocol serves as a foundation for AI-assisted research support. It was used to configure a custom GPT chatbot, guiding users stepwise through systematic search query development. Initial tests showed promise, but challenges in enforcing workflows and maintaining response consistency highlight the need for refinements to enhance AI-guided research assistance." Thanks to Esther Grassian for alerting me to this.
Go to https://youtu.be/NPrbCe2PlVE
Photo by Sheila Webber: more fern on the wall, June 2025

Webinar: Eye catching research communications

A priced online course Eye catching research communications - using creative tools to make your own videos, animations and graphics will take place on 17 July 2025 12-14.00 BST/UK time, led by Andy Tattersall. Cost is: UKeiG/CILIP members £35 + VAT; Non-members £65 + VAT.
Videos, animations and infographics are powerful methods to catch the attention of wide audiences and help showcase research in ways that traditional activities cannot. ... The session will include live demos as well as provide you with several hacks and shortcuts to help your first outputs be as good as they can be.... The course will also explore AI's potential to support communication activities and highlight pitfalls of being overly reliant on them. Details and registration at https://www.cilip.org.uk/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1968332&group=201314
Photo by Sheila Webber: azalea, May 2025

Webinar: AI and ACRL’s information literacy framework

A free webinar on 11 July 2025 at 12.30 US EST (which is 17.30 BST/UK time) is on AI as it relates to ACRL’s information literacy framework. It is hosted by the Special Libraries Association Academic & Education Community and ACRL's EBSS Education Committee. The speaker is Ladislava Khailova. Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMvceqtpzwsHtDYWS_rchrX5m7G3s7BG3DS
Image created by Sheila Webber using Midjourney AI

Registration for LILi [Lifelong Information Literacy] Conference

Registration is open for the free, online 2025 LILi [Lifelong Information Literacy] Conference, taking place on 17 July 2025 (9.45m - 13.30 US PDT, which is 17.45 - 21.30 BST/UK time) and 18 July 2025 (9.45m - 13.30 US PDT, which is 17.45 - 21.30 BST/UK time).
Complete the registration form by 11 July 2025. Register for live participation (limited to 300 simultaneous participants) or just the recordings, or both.
The schedule is here https://lili.libguides.com/lili2025/schedule
To register go to https://tinyurl.com/mw4jzefx 

New articles: Digital health literacy; CPD scale; Information needs of nurses

Latest issue of open-access IFLA Journal (Volume 51, No. 2, June 2025) includes the following:
- TikTok and digital health literacy: A systematic review by Margaret Kristin Merga
- Development and validation of the Continuing Professional Development Scale: A knowledge transfer perspective by Syed Fakhar Abbas, Syeda Hina Batool and Kanwal Ameen
- Information needs and information-seeking behavior of Egyptian nurses during a health crisis: A survey by Amany M. Elsayed, Safaa Salah Ismail, Manar Hamza and Zeinab S. Said
Go to https://repository.ifla.org/handle/20.500.14598/4167
Photo by Sheila Webber: dandelions at different stages, June 2025