New articles:

The latest issue of open-access College & Research Libraries News (vol. 87 issue. 4) includes: 
- Barbara Maratos. Introverts and Library Instruction: Challenges and Strategies. 
- Russell Michalak and Rachel Gandhi. Fostering Holocaust Education: A Collaborative Model Between an Academic Library and Middle Schools.
- Sara D. Miller, Leslie Ross, and Kay P. Maye. The Framework’s Next Chapter: An Interview with ACRL’s Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education Review and Revision Task Force Leaders Sara Miller and Leslie Ross. 
- Jamia Williams and Twanna Hodge. Reflecting on Our Careers and Transitions: A Year of Exploring Why We Choose Librarianship. 
Go to https://crln.acrl.org/index.php/crlnews/issue/view/1694/showToc
Photo by Sheila Webber: cherry blossom, April 2026

Call for proposals: Climate Literacy for Sustainable Futures

The IFLA Information Literacy Section (ILS) and Environmental Sustainability and Libraries Section (ENSULIB) are organising a session within the World Library and Information Congress (talking place in Busan, South Korea, 10-13 August 2026): Climate Literacy for Sustainable Futures: Libraries Empowering Communities to Act.
There is a call for papers (at least one author has to present in person) and the deadline is 27 April 2026.
The focus is on "how libraries of all kinds can play a role in tackling mis/disinformation about climate change and support their communities to live more sustainably."
"We welcome contributions that share original research, case studies, or practical initiatives from any library setting or region. Proposals might address strategies for tackling climate mis/disinformation, partnerships that advance climate literacy, innovative programs that empower users to live more sustainably, or professional development approaches that build the skills and confidence of library workers in this area. Submissions from diverse geographic and community contexts are strongly encouraged. In addition: Papers should reflect the WLIC’s theme, Libraries Powering Transformation".
More information, including submission guidance, at https://2026.ifla.org/ils-ensulib/
Photo by Sheila Webber: cherry blossom, March 2026.

Preparing young voters in today’s online information environment

The UK government plans to lower the voting age to 16 (you can already vote in Scottish and Welsh parliamentary and local elections at 16 if you are qualified to vote in Scotland/ Wales) so there is interest in how this younger cohort of voters might engage with information relevant to voting decisions. 
Earlier in the year a report was published by Internet Matters and Full Fact. Internet matters is a not-for-profit that works "collaboratively with our partners to support our joint vision of a safer, happier connected world for children and young people" (partners include Tiktok, Amazon Kids, Sky). Full Fact is the fact checking organisation. 
The report uses "November 2025 data from Internet Matters Pulse ... based on a survey of 573 children aged 13-17 and 801 parents of children aged 13-17 based in the UK") and also previous Internet Matters research. 
The report identifies that this age group encounters political information online, their confidence that they can evaluate it is in the 50%s and when asked about their peers' confidence, that is rated even lower. A small majority are concerened about the veracity of what politicians say and about the impact on misinformation on election results. A large majority of young people think that schools, parents / carers, Government, and social media companies all have responsibility to support them in being more informed voters (they were not asked whether they felt they had a responsibility to develop themselves). The report makes recommendations for various stakeholders, including about media and digital literacy. Sadly, librarians/ libraries are not mentioned.
Internet Matters. (2026, February 8). Preparing young voters in a complex, attention-driven information environment. https://www.internetmatters.org/hub/research/preparing-young-people-to-vote-in-a-complex-attention-driven-environment/
Photo by Sheila Webber: spring branches, April 2026

Webinar: Deepfakes and AI-generated media The deepfake threat and how media literacy can help to address it

There are a few tickets left for the free webinar organised by CILIP's Media and Information Literacy Alliance and the Deep Truth Project on 27 April 2026 at 12.30-13.30 BST: Deepfakes and AI-generated media: The deepfake threat and how media literacy can help to address it
It will "give participants a practical grounding in the deepfake threat: what these tools can do now, how they differ from cruder forms of manipulation, and why the pace of change matters. We'll walk through real-world examples of how deepfakes are fuelling political, journalistic and health misinformation, share visual cues and verification techniques you can use and teach, and make the case for why media literacy is the frontline defence. ... The session will be presented by Ashmita Rajmohan, founder of the Deep Truth Project, a charity dedicated to deepfake and synthetic media literacy education in the UK."
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/deepfakes-and-ai-generated-media-what-everyone-needs-to-know-tickets-1985914701331

Call for papers: Information Literacy in a Disrupted Information Ecosystem

There is a call for proposals for a satellite meeting to the World Library and Information Congress. The satellite meeting will be on 8 August 2026 held in person in Busan, South Korea (at least one author has to be physically present). It is organised by the IFLA Information Literacy Section and the title is Information Literacy in a Disrupted Information Ecosystem: AI, Misinformation, and Trust. Deadline for proposals is 24 April 2026.
"This session explores how information literacy initiatives are adapting to these changes. We welcome contributions that examine how libraries respond to AI-generated content, algorithmic mediation, and the evolving nature of information trust, including approaches that help users better understand how AI systems shape the information they encounter. ... We invite submissions in the form of research papers, case studies, best practices, and conceptual papers."
Full information at https://2026.ifla.org/information-literacy-in-a-disrupted-information-ecosystem-ai-misinformation-and-trust/
Photo by Sheila Webber: camellias, March 2026

Library and Skills Centre Teachmeet

There is a call for contributions for an in-person teachmeet at Sheffield Hallam University (Sheffield, UK) Library and Skills Centre Teachmeet on 4 June 2026 9.30 - 16.00 BST. The deadline is 17 April, 16.00. Presentations will be 10 mins each, with time after each presentation for questions.
"This free regional event will involve the sharing of ideas, experience, and innovative teaching practice through presentations, activities and discussions. The Teachmeet is aimed at higher and further education library staff and academic study skills practitioners working in the North and the Midlands [of England]." More details at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/academiclibrariesnorth/2113039
Photo by Sheila Webber: Sheffield Botanic Garcdens, March 2026

Improving the digital competencies of literacy educators

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) has launched a self-paced online course Improving the digital competencies of literacy educators. You have to register as a member of the UIL Learning Hub (free) in order to access. The estimated duration is 2 and a half hours.
The course is described at https://www.uil.unesco.org/en/articles/uil-launches-new-multilingual-course-boost-digital-skills-literacy-educators?hub=90
The registration page for the English language version https://learninghub.uil.unesco.org/enrol/index.php?id=78
Photo by Sheila Webber: cherry blossom, March 2026

New articles: Collaboration; Rebooting; Post-COVID working

The latest issue of portal: libraries and the academy (vol 26 no 2) includes (open access):
- Adopting the Reboot Mindset: The Library Instruction Reboot Revisited by Anne C. Behler
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Library Instruction: A Case for Lesson Study by Alexander Deeke, John Kotnarowski, Kirsten M. Feist, Jin Pennell
- Remote Work Policies in Academic Libraries Before, During, and Immediately After the Height of the COVID-19 Pandemic by Shanti Freundlich, Sarah K. McCord, Sarah Callanan, Natalie Hutchinson, Erica Cataldi-Roberts, Richard Kaplan
Go to https://muse.jhu.edu/issue/56654
Photo by Sheila Webber: blossom, March 2026

10 Thoughts On “AI”

An interesting (I think) take on AI and its use in creative work, from the author John Scalzi. As he says, he can "write better than “AI” can or ever will, and I can do it with far less energy draw. I don’t need to destroy a watershed to write a novel. I can write a novel with Coke Zero and snacks." He  also, e.g., makes useful comments about marketing, and the way AI is actually packed into almost everything already.
Scalzi, J. (2026, February 14). 10 Thoughts On “AI,” February 2026 Edition. https://whatever.scalzi.com/2026/02/14/10-thoughts-on-ai-february-2026-edition/
Photo by Sheila Webber: camellia, March 2026

Recent articles: AI literacy; Coding

The latest issue of open access College & Research Libraries (volume 87 issue 2) includes:
- Survey on Undergraduate Student Use of Generative AI: Implications for Information Literacy in Academic Libraries by Megan Margino Marchese, Andrew Marchese
- Generative AI and Libraries: Claiming Our Place in the Center of a Shared Future by Terese Scheiderich
- Python for All: A Library Workshop for Bridging AI Literacy and Coding Skills Kristen L. Scotti, Lencia McKee
Go to https://crl.acrl.org/index.php/crl/issue/view/1693/showToc
Photo by Sheila Webber: daffodil, March 2026

Webinar: Attention in LIS

There is a webinar organised by the ACRL Contemplative Pedagogy Interest Group on 29 April 2026 at 14.00 US Eastern time, 19.00 BST: Attention in LIS (Library and Information Science).  The speaker is Hugh Samson (Ph.D. student in the Faculty of Information and Media Studies at Western University in Canada).
"This talk examines the concept of attention as an emerging concern in LIS. It proceeds through three guiding questions. First, What is attention? The talk briefly surveys accounts in which attention is understood as a selective orientation of consciousness and a mechanism that structures perception and cognition. Second, Why does it matter? In contemporary information environments characterised by abundance, attention functions as a limiting condition that shapes what information becomes visible, credible, and sustained. Finally, How might LIS examine it? The talk outlines possible lines of inquiry focusing on attentional infrastructures, literacies, and practices."
Register at https://ala-events.zoom.us/meeting/register/4tzumZcIT_eaMa_O_nktgg#/registration
Photo by Sheila Webber: cherry trees, Sheffield, March 2026

Tickets for - Critical Approaches to Libraries Conference 2026 #CALC26

There are still tickets available for the Critical Approaches to Libraries Conference 2026, taking place online 12-14 May 2026, at the very reasonable price of £15. Presentations include:
- Disinformation, platform governance, and critical information literacy: lessons from the Croatian Wikipedia case (Dijana Šobota).
- Honoring students' lived experiences through instruction: how a shift in pedagogical practice can impact student outcomes (Dr Heather F. Ball).
- Why are some ideas easy to believe on little evidence? (Dr Anna Stone).
You can purchase tickets here https://opencollective.com/calc/events/calc-conference-ae7f7475

LILAC Learning Sets #LILAC26

One of the session I attended at the LILAC information literacy conference was LILAC Learning Sets presented by Laura Woods. The abstract is here and this is a podcast episode where Laura explained what they are about https://infolit.org.uk/chatting-info-lit-episode-eleven-learning-sets-at-lilac-with-laura-woods/
The main idea is that you join a group of about 5 people, randomly selected (by choosing a sweet of a particular colour on the day!). I had picked an orange sweet, so I've become a member of Outrageous Orange (one of the group's first task's was to choose a name). It turned out that 3 of the other members were engineering librarians, and one had been an engineering librarian in the past - serendipity! I can only claim connection with having supervised Dr Evi Tramantza's PhD, which was on engineering students' information literacy and also Laura Woods is investigating female engineering students' information exoerience for her PhD. We will be keeping in touch with each other over the next year to exchange experience, including through quarterly meetings organised by the LILAC organisers (led by Laura Woods). If it's OK with the rest of the group, I will keep you updated on how it goes.
Photo by Sheila Webber: cherry blossom in Sheffield, March 2026

Information Literacy award winners #LILAC26

The winners the Information Literacy Award 2026 (sponsored by the Information Literacy Group and the UCL Department of Information Studies) were announced during the LILAC conference on Monday. They were Siobhan Corrin and Katie Roper from Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust & Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. They had been nominated for the Lancashire Health Hub: a collaborative approach to reliable health information.
Information about all the nominees is here https://www.lilacconference.com/awards/information-literacy-award
They are pictured with the judges: Dr Konstantina Martzoukou, Elizabeth Newell and Emma Brown.