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

Recording: Information Literacy Disciplinarity and Values

There is a recording (1 hour 12 minutes) of the webinar Information Literacy Disciplinarity and Values, that took place on 30 June 2025 as part of Ohio State University Libraries information literacy series. The presenters are Professor Clarence Maybee and Dr Karen Kaufmann.
Go to https://youtu.be/rSfPmIzfU6c?si=WHxmtysorHD33yTy

Publish or perish game

Max Hui Bai has released a (priced) game, Publish or perish, about the pressures of academic publishing "Players race to publish manuscripts with useless nonsense while sabotaging each other's research and delivering "very helpful" comments, Reviewer 2 style" (for those not into academic publishing "reviewer 2" is the highly critical reviewer who appears to have no clue about the subject/methods but nevertheless hacks into you, or who seems to be deliberately torpedoing your work, or who just demands a large amount of fiddly / pointless change).
It is available in English or Chinese and has some expansion packs: go to https://publishorperish.games/
Not to be confused with The Publishing Trap (though if you are interested in one, you likely will be interested in the other)
Photo by Sheila Webber: books in the library, May 2025

Social Media Literacy

Interesting article: Ashor, G. & Schmalenbach, K. (2025). Combating Information Disorder Through Social Media Literacy—A Libyan Perspective. ECIS 2025 Proceedings. https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2025/social_virtual/social_virtual/7
"This study explores strategies to build resilience by increasing social media literacy (SMLit) among Libyans. Using a qualitative approach, we conducted 12 interviews with experts from government agencies, NGOs, media outlets, and fact-checking organizations. Building on the Social Media Literacy (SoMeLit), Communities of Practice (CoP) and Theory of Change (ToC) frameworks, we show how enhanced SMLit can address various factors fueling information disorder.
"Our findings emphasize fostering a culture of social responsibility, integrating media and information literacy into education, strengthening fact-checking initiatives, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and addressing technological and legal challenges. By synthesizing expert insights with the aforementioned theories into an integrated framework, our research promotes enhanced SMLit as a pathway to a more informed and resilient society in Libya and beyond."
Photo by Sheila Webber: white roses, June 2025

Embedding library skills

An article from librarians at the University of Southampton:
Hvass, A. et al. (2024, April 22). A framework to teach library research skills. THE. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/framework-teach-library-research-skills "Embedding library skills within disciplines allows teachers and students to link them to learning outcomes and research requirements. Here, a team of engagement librarians explain how to put a map in place"
and the page on their website that has information about the library's farmework and approach
Curriculum design and collaborating with the Library https://library.soton.ac.uk/supporting-staff/academic
Photo by Sheila Webber: yellow, scented azalea, May 2025

Cross-sectoral challenges to media literacy

This publication has descriptions of the situations in: Canada, France, The Netherlands ("In-depth case studies"); Belgium (Flanders), Finland, Ireland (" Medium-length case studies"); Brazil, Estonia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden ("Short case studies").
It is based mostly on desk research, with one to three interviews with "media literacy stakeholders" for the medium and indepth case studies, carried out in 2023. No references to Information Literacy (and only one to Media and Information Literacy, as MIL), but it does mention libraries and librarians in some sections Thanks to the MILA newsletter, which referenced this.
Edwards, L., Obia, V., Goodman, E. & Spasenoska, S. (2025) Cross-sectoral challenges to media literacy: case studies. LSE Consulting. https://eprints.lse.ac.uk/127862/
Image created by Sheila Webber on Midjourney using the prompt: Cross-sectoral challenges to media literacy