ACRL Immersion Program

ACRL (the US Association of College and Research Libraries) has started up its Immersion Program again "an intensive three-day program" which "provides participants with an immersive learning experience where they can reflect on core issues related to teaching and learning in libraries and develop new relationships with colleagues from a variety of institutions."
It will take place 15-17 July, in person, at Loyola University in Chicago, USA. A maximum of 50 delegates are admitted. Registration is supposed to open "mid February" (though I can't see a link yet)
There is full information here: https://www.ala.org/acrl/conferences/immersion?_zs=SUvvg1&_zl=ThCcA
Photo by Sheila webber taken in Second Life, immersed underwater

Call for proposals: 2026 Virtual LILi Conference

There is a call for proposals for the 2026 Virtual LILi Conference, to be held online on 23-24 July 2026 (in the US Pacific time zone: for those in the UK and other parts of Europe this will be in late afternoon/ evening). The theme is Artificial Intelligence Meets Information Literacy: Challenges and Opportunities for the Future. The submission deadline is 13 April 2026. 

You can propose presentations (15-min presentation plus Q&A), lightning talks (5-7 minutes), PechaKuchas or posters "that explore innovative approaches, research findings, practical strategies, and emerging trends in libraries and information literacy related to artificial intelligence, particularly in support of equity and inclusivity." There is a "focus on practical uses rather than theory" and some specific themes are suggested on the page with the full call (which includes proposal form links) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dH6pDiIq8XMaJARUGL7umcnCNRcijQGkZrK3VzF5OCQ/edit?tab=t.0
I will just add that I think  it's wonderful that the LiLI volunteers keep organising these free interesting events!

A Taxonomy of LLM Summarisation in Academic Search

An interesting categorisation of the different ways in which different types of large language models (LLMs) summarise outputs from academic search tools:

Tay, A. (2026, January 24). Classifying the Ways LLMs Summarise in Academic Search: Understanding AI Summaries in EBSCO, ProQuest, and More. https://aarontay.substack.com/p/classifying-the-ways-llms-summarise
Photo by Sheila Webber: war memorial, Sheffield, February 2026

Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change

At the COP30 meeting in November 2025, a Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change was agreed for the first time, signed by many countries (though, sadly, not mine...). Apologies for not posting this sooner, I created a post and then didn't post it. 
The declaration calls upon the private sector (e.g. "Ensure transparent, human rights-responsible advertising practices that bolster information integrity on climate change and support reliable information and journalism.") and governments (e.g. "e. Promote campaigns on climate change and support initiatives that promote literacy and the public's right to access reliable information on the matter.") for action. 
The call on "civil society and academia" is to "a. Integrate information integrity on climate change in their work; b. Promote and engage in existing networks to share good practices and collaborate on the matter, especially involving institutions and actors from developing countries." 
The declaration is here https://www.unesco.org/en/information-integrity-climate-change/cop30declaration?hub=780 
and a press release is here https://unfccc.int/news/countries-seal-landmark-declaration-at-cop30-marking-first-time-information-integrity-is-prioritized
Photo by Sheila Webber: more winter branches, February 2026

New articles: Collaboration; Assessment, AI

The latest issue of open access College & Research Libraries News (volume 87 issue 2) includes: 
- It’s Not Easy Staying Human: Generative AI, Cognition, and Reflection by Maxwell Gray
- Intentional Co-Instruction: Bringing the Framework and Guidelines into Conversation for Undergraduate History Information Literacy Instruction by John Caldwell, Kaitlyn Tanis
-  Pathways to Impact: Anticipating Action in Library Assessment by Becky Croxton, Megan Oakleaf
Go to https://crln.acrl.org/index.php/crlnews/issue/view/1691/showToc
Photo by Sheila Webber: winter branches, February 2026

Webinar: Designing Accessible Canvas Modules with DesignPLUS

A LILi Show & Tell webinar is presented by Stacey Greenwell on 25 February 2026 at 11.00 US Pacific time (19.00 GMT) "This practical presentation will show examples of three research skills modules created with DesignPLUS in Canvas. The presenter, an instructional designer and librarian, will talk through templates that use solid design practices and how those can help create modules to support information literacy instruction. Special attention in the presentation will be given to using Ally and UDOIT to ensure accessible Canvas modules". Zoom link is https://uci.zoom.us/my/marquezn
A recording will be available on the LILi Show & Tell webpage afterwards https://lili.libguides.com/showandtell/home

News literacy at school

Petrus, C. (2026, February 4). Birmingham librarian on mission to teach news literacy to elementary students. WXYZ Detroit. https://www.wxyz.com/news/birmingham-librarian-helping-elementary-students-develop-news-literacy.
A news story about a school librarian in Birmingham, USA.
Photo by Sheila Webber: my last red devil apple, on a Williamson's bluebird plate, January 2026

LOEX Registration opens (and likely also closes)

Registration for the USA's main information literacy conference, LOEX (7-9 May 2026 held in-person in Norfolk, USA) opens today 13 February 2026 at 13.00 US Eastern time, which is 18.00 GMT. My understanding is that this fills up more or less immediately, rather like a hot-ticket gig. Preference is given to those whose organisation is a LOEX member.
They say "Please be prepared at the time of registration to: provide basic contact info, food preferences, and whether you plan on attending the Thursday night meet & greet. You do *not* need a member ID. Instructions on how to make a payment *AFTER* you register will be on the registration confirmation page; payment isn't due until April."
Go to https://loexconference.org/registration/ "If you get to the page early and the form is not available, please re-fresh your browser."

Information Literacy webinars in February

Ohio State University (USA) University Libraries Teaching & Learning Department, has a series of free information literacy workshops. The ones coming up in February are:
- Do Students Really Need to Learn That? Controversial Research Notions
February 12, 2026 at 12.00-13.00 USA Eastern time (which is 17.00-18.00 GMT/UK time)
To register go to https://go.osu.edu/sp26controversial
"Do first year students need to be using peer-reviewed journal articles? Should students spend time learning how to use Boolean operators? How important is it for students to be able to create perfect APA or MLA citations? Is plagiarism really theft? Research and information literacy instruction often centers around teaching students how to conduct research in the same way as disciplinary experts. ... This presentation will outline several controversial notions related to how we teach research and information literacy. Participants will be encouraged to consider these notions in light of their own teaching practices and consider potential alternative approaches for teaching research and information literacy. This workshop is being offered by the University Libraries Teaching & Learning Department, and the University of New Mexico Libraries"  

- Teaching Research Practices: The Impact of Prior Knowledge on Students’ Research Performance
February 19, 2026 at 12.00-13.00 USA Eastern time (which is 17.00-18.00 GMT/UK time)
To register go to https://go.osu.edu/sp26priorknowledge
"Students come into our classes with prior understandings about what it means to do research or how to perform specific research practices or tasks. While this prior knowledge can sometimes be useful, when it is inaccurate or inappropriate, prior knowledge can also cause students to struggle with research assignments or projects. This workshop will explore the relationship between prior knowledge, research, and information literacy. The presenter will share practical ideas for how to identify, activate, and, when needed, correct students’ prior knowledge in order to support improved performance on research assignments. This workshop is being offered by the University Libraries Teaching & Learning Department"  

- Teaching Research Practices with Small Teaching
February 26, 2026 at 12.00-13.00 USA Eastern time (which is 17.00-18.00 GMT/UK time)
To register go to https://go.osu.edu/sp26smallteaching
"James Lang uses research on how we learn to provide guidance for small changes that instructors can make in order to support student learning. This workshop will provide an overview of the Small Teaching approach and consider how instructors can use this approach to help students develop key understandings and skills related to research and information literacy. The presentation will use Small Teaching to highlight activities and strategies that instructors can incorporate into their classes that do not require a significant amount of time or a major course redesign. "
The whole series is listed at https://u.osu.edu/teachinginfolit/teaching-information-literacy-workshops/virtual-workshop-series/
Photo by Sheila Webber: a January King cabbage being king of the shopping basket, January 2026

Information Literacy Group New Professionals - Randomised Coffee Trial

The Information Literacy Group New Professionals sub-committee is organising "a Randomised Coffee Trial for new professionals to meet and share Information Literacy experiences. This is available for any current students or recent graduates of library courses, apprenticeships or anyone new to a Library job (less than 5 years experience) in all library sectors."
"You'll be matched with someone else from a different sector to arrange a virtual catch up at a time to suit you both. We'll provide some 'conversation starters' and some guidance but you can discuss whatever you want - the point is to share experiences, views on information literacy and get to know each other better."
This can be a good way to meet up with another person who is starting out in the profession
"You can share experiences, learn about different sectors and receive support. People who have attended a Randomised Coffee Trial before have enjoyed meeting new people and have been able to share ideas and best practices that they can take back to their organisation."
Fill in this form to be matched with a partner https://forms.gle/wECdN1d7CPNn56oy6
Photo by Sheila Webber: this is actually a cup of hot chocolate, but I think it's in the right spirit; Krakow, October 2023

Podcast on LILAC Learning Sets

The latest episode of Chatting Info Lit (produced the Information Literacy Group's New Professionals) is Welcome to LILAC Learning Sets
"We talk to Laura about the action learning sets pilot at LILAC in Sheffield and discuss why they are especially beneficial to new professionals, both in developing their practice and widening their professional networks. Tune in and find out how action learning sets work and how you can get involved. Thanks to Laura for such a fascinating and inspiring chat!"
Details, including a transcription are here https://infolit.org.uk/chatting-info-lit-episode-eleven-learning-sets-at-lilac-with-laura-woods/
- Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/6GR0DrJK4Ut5Rs8LV9HVMO
- Apple podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-11-lilac-learning-sets-with-laura-woods/id1673423506?i=1000747045742

Safer Internet Day 2026

Safer Internet Day 2026 will take place on February 10 with the theme of Smart Tech, safe choices - exploring the safe and responsible use of AI. 

The Safer Internet Centre has some education resources. https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2026

New articles: immigrants' information needs; scholarly misconduct

- Shahid, S.H. & Sinnamon, L. (2026). A meta-ethnographic synthesis of researchers' views on scholarly misconduct in the health sciences. Library & Information Science Research, 48(1), Article 101399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2026.101399 ("Complimentary access" which I think is free access for a limited period)
"the three forms of misconduct of most concern to researchers are fabrication and falsification, plagiarism, and unethical authorship, while emerging issues include power manipulation and failure to report integrity concerns." Although the focus is health sciences, I would think the findings are of interest/concern in other subjects too.

- Ahmadinia, H. (2026). Belonging through information: Mapping immigrant integration needs in Nordic societies. Library & Information Science Research, 48(1), Article 101400 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2026.101400 (Open access)
"The findings show that difficulties in locating reliable information, limited access to familiar languages, and fragmented institutional communication constrain participation across daily life. Participants often relied on informal networks to compensate for unclear or inaccessible official information."
Photo by Sheila Webber: snow, a few weeks ago, January 2026