New articles: AI + IL; Data literacy; Gamification; Services to visually impaired; Virtual reference; International students

The latest issue of the Journal of Academic Librarianship (vol 52 issue 3) includes the following (priced, unless it says they are open access):
- How artificial intelligence is reshaping information literacy in academic libraries: A global Scientometric analysis (2020–2025) by Munazza Jabeen, Claudia Lux (open access)
- How academic libraries can intervene in the frustrating academic information seeking of international students in China by Ming Zhu, Yidang Wang, Yixuan Cao
- Librarians' understanding of instruction in virtual reference services: A just-in-time learning perspective by Nove E. Variant Anna, K. Kiran
- Supporting blind, visually impaired, and print disabled students: Are academic libraries doing enough? by Dick Kawooya et al.
- Breaking the ice: A social exchange study on gamification, library anxiety, and the willingness to return at the University of Malta Library by Ryan Scicluna (open access)
- Digital reference tools and information literacy: Adoption patterns among university communities and their implications for libraries by Shakir Khan, Saad Alzahrani, Nazia Salauddin
- From information to data literacy: Faculty readiness and alignment in the community college by Jeonghyun Kim, Brady Lund, Nelson Santana
Go to https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/the-journal-of-academic-librarianship/vol/52/issue/3
Photo by Sheila Webber: rhododendron, May 2026

Webinar: How does Information Literacy in the First Language Contribute to the Development of Information Literacy in the Second Language?

ASIS&T US Northeast Chapter has organised a webinar: How does Information Literacy in the First Language Contribute to the Development of Information Literacy in the Second Language? on 2 July 2026 at 15.00-16.00 US EDT (20.00-21.00 BST). Free to ASIS&T members, US $25 to others. Presented by Chengyuan Yu (incoming Assistant Professor in the School of Information Science at the University of Kentucky, USA).
"This webinar presents a study examining the mechanisms through which multilingual students’ information literacy (IL) experiences in their first language contribute to their perceived ability to engage in IL practices in a second language. Drawing on translanguaging theory, social cognitive theory, and research on cross-linguistic literacy transfer, the study investigates the interplay among first-language IL experiences, translanguaging self-efficacy, transpositioning self-efficacy, and second-language IL self-efficacy. In addition to variable-centered analyses, a person-centered approach is employed to identify distinct learner profiles based on students’ first-language IL experiences, translanguaging self-efficacy, transpositioning self-efficacy and examine the differences regarding their second-language IL self-efficacy. Findings highlight the critical role of multilingual resources in shaping IL development, offering implications for more inclusive, asset-based pedagogies in multilingual and higher education contexts."
Register at: https://associationforinformationscienceandtechnologyasist.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/OOFlRleUaCqCD
Photo by Sheila Webber: narrow path through the greenery, Botanic Gardens, May 2026

University library outreach for transition

McCabe, K. (2026, May 18). Using university library outreach to demystify the transition from high school to higher education. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/using-university-library-outreach-demystify-transition-high-school-higher-education (I think this was sponsored by University of Northern British Columbia, which is why it's open access, but it's still a useful example of information literacy)
Photo by Sheila Webber: Solomon's seal plants, Sheffield Botanical Gardens, May 2026

Online course: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and beyond

The UK electronic information Group (UKeiG) has organised a half-day online CPD course YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and beyond: video marketing for libraries and cultural organisations on 25 June 2026, 10 am to 1 pm BST. The Course leader is Ned Potter. Cost is: UKeiG/CILIP members £50 + VAT; Non-members £80 + VAT.
More info and registration at https://www.cilip.org.uk/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2061428&group=201314
Photo by Sheila webber: rhododendron, May 2026

Webinar: Project Outcome for Academic Libraries 101

There is a free webinar from ACRL on 21 May 2026 at 14.00 US EST (19.00 BST): Project Outcome for Academic Libraries 101. Project outcome helps "libraries understand and share the true impact of their services and programs with simple surveys and an easy-to-use process to measure and analyze outcomes. Project Outcome is a free toolkit offering libraries access to training, data analytics, and standardized surveys that measure outcomes in key library service areas." 
One of the areas in the toolkit is Instruction "Services or programs to assist students in their coursework and enhance their learning. Examples include: instruction sessions in classes, library orientation programs, or topic-specific workshops." (i.e. including information literacy education). 
Register at: https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mVr2EKYnRjSQUu45Ow76yw#/registration
Photo by Sheila Webber, cherry blossom in May 2026

New items: Graduate students; Outreach; AI Literacy; Digital Reference Services; Google classroom

These are all open access.
- Desilets, M.R. & Pendell, K. (2026) Building Connections with Graduate Students Through Credit-Bearing Instruction. RUSQ: A Journal of Reference and User Experience, 61(3), 15-27. https://doi.org/10.5860/rusq.61.3.8668 
- Mixon, N, Johnson, A. & Taylor, J,. (2026). Microsites as Outreach Tools: A Case for Targeted Engagement in Academic Libraries. RUSQ: A Journal of Reference and User Experience, 61(3), 5-8. https://doi.org/10.5860/rusq.61.3.8666 
- Li, L. & Coates, K. (2026). Navigating the Generative AI Wave: AI Literacy Instruction in Academic Libraries Today.  https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/lib-facpresent/313 [a powerpoint presentation about the approach specifically at Georgia Southern University Libraries, USA]
- The Infosphere: Nigerian Journal of Knowledge and Information Studies: Vol. 1 No. 1 & 2 (2026) contains, for example: March, M. & Yusuf, D. Information Literacy and Digital Reference Services in Academic Libraries in Nigeria https://journals.fuotuoke.edu.ng/index.php/njkis/ 
- Saleh, S. (2026) Implications of Online Learning Environment and Google Classroom https://dapp.orvium.io/deposits/69a5ca66e6caf72bc3f50de7/view [This is a student work but looks interesting]
Photo by Sheila Webber: dandelion heads, May 2026

MLA-EBSCO Collaboration for Information Literacy Prize

There is a call for submissions for the Modern Language Association-EBSCO Collaboration for Information Literacy Prize There are up to two annual awards of $500 each for coursework developed in collaboration between department faculty members and academic librarians in literature, language, or related disciplines. Deadline for submissions is 1 July 2026. It looks like you can make submissions from any country.
"The award recognizes successful integration of the disciplinary objectives of the course with learning objectives in information literacy, as defined in the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education." Submissions should relate to teaching in the current or previous calendar year.
More information at https://www.mla.org/Resources/Career/MLA-Grants-and-Awards/MLA-EBSCO-Collaboration-for-Information-Literacy-Prize
Photo by Sheila Webber: flowers in Mason's Regency china, May 2026

Transforming higher education

There has been a UNESCO report on the future of university education, stemming from the 2022 World Higher Education Conference and consultations following on from that. There isn't any mention of information literacy (or any other kind of literacy other than a mention "advanced" literacy) but one of the seven guiding principles is "Establishing a human-centred role for digital technologies and AI" which includes the statements (p27) "In recent decades, information has become much more accessible while its volume has increased considerably. And, while there are many tools that help us process these vast amounts of information and data (and here AI offers important strategies and tools), it still falls to human beings, both individually and collectively, to generate knowledge and understanding. This is where universities and other higher education institutions come in; one of their contemporary roles is to enhance the capabilities of individuals and societies to advance the ethical and equitable use of digital technologies."
UNESCO. (2026). Transforming higher education: Global collaboration on visioning and action. UNESCOhttps://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000397582
Photo by Sheila Webber: rhododendron in bloom, May 2026

Multispecies Information Science

A new book "shifting the focus beyond humans to explore the rich and complex realms of information and knowledge shared with animals, plants, microbes, technologies, and landscapes." It includes When animals teach: Lessons for information pedagogy and Urban dog parks as information grounds: A multispecies family perspective
Solhjoo, N. (Ed.) (2026). Multispecies Information Science. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Multispecies-Information-Science/Solhjoo/p/book/9781032951553
Photo by Sheila Webber: squirrel on a rock, April 2026

Learning programmes for older adults.

This report is particularly related to my interest in education for older people, and combatting ageism: it has recommendations for upskilling and reskilling of older people. Sadly, information literacy isn't mentioned, but it does talk about aspects of digital literacy.
UNESCO and Shanghai Open University. (2026). Implementing effective reskilling and upskilling: learning programmes for older adults. UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000397435
The report describes examples from Colombia, Japan, Singapore, Sweden and the United States of America (USA) taking different approaches. For example there is the example of The Senior University: A lifelong learning experience for older adults at the Universidad del Rosario, Colombia. The report ends with recommendations. 
Photo by Sheila Webber: lilac and buttercups, May 2026

Webinar: AI in Library Schools

The IFLA Section Education and Training has organised a free webinar on 27 May 2026 at 15.30 CEST (14.30 BST): AI in Library Schools.
"This webinar explores students’ experiences with artificial intelligence in Library and Information Science education, including ethical AI use, privacy and data protection, AI-related coursework, and the opportunities and challenges AI brings to LIS programs." The keynote speaker is Iman Magdy Khamis (a data scientist and director of the library at Northwestern Qatar) on Understanding the Ethical Use of AI in Higher Education and Libraries. "The webinar will also feature presentations by LIS students sharing research projects, case studies, and practical experiences related to AI in LIS education"
Register at https://tinyurl.com/SETMay27
Photo by Sheila Webber: rhododendron - it was actually an even more flourescent colour! - May 2026

From Information Literacies to Metaliteracy

Tom Mackey (Empire State University, USA) has posted the recording of his keynote from the virtual iConference that took place 23-26 March 2026: From Information Literacies to Metaliteracy: Learner Agency in an AI-Mediated World.
"This keynote argues that evolving approaches to information literacy, AI literacy, and digital authenticity require a shift beyond discrete or skill-based methods toward a more comprehensive and reflective model of learning."
Go to https://metaliteracy.org/2026/04/03/from-information-literacies-to-metaliteracy-learner-agency-in-an-ai-mediated-world/
Photo by Sheila Webber: blossom on the tree, May 2026

New articles: AI; Inclusivity: Research experiences

The latest issue of open-access College & Research Libraries News (vol 87 issue 5) is now published. It includes:
- Susan Archambault, Elisa Acosta, Darlene Aguilar, Samantha Blanco, Alexander Justice, Nicole Murph, Shalini Ramachandran, and José J. Rincón Inclusivity by Design: Creating the Best Practices Checklist for One-Shot Library Instruction
- Jennifer Jarson and Kate Morgan: From Listener to Learner: A Podcast to Peek Behind the Curtain of Research Experiences.
- Russell Michalak, Trevor A. Dawes, and Ava Wallace: Envisioning AI’s Role in Libraries: Perspectives from an LIS Student, a Library Director, and a University Librarian
- J. M. Shalani Dilinika: Teaching Students to Think Critically About AI: Practical Approaches for Academic Librarians in Designing Literacy Instruction
Go to https://crln.acrl.org/index.php/crlnews/issue/view/1696/showToc
Photo by Sheila Webber: cherry blossom scattered, May 2026