Call for proposals: 10th and final European Conference on Information Literacy

The call is open for what is billed as being the 10th and final European Conference on Information Literacy (ECIL), taking place in-person in Coimbra, Portugal, 18-21 October 2027. The conference theme is Information Literacy: Looking Back, Moving Forward, but proposals are accepted in many areas of information literacy. Deadline for proposals is 1 February 2027.
There are the following options for proposals: papers; posters; pecha kucha; best practices; workshops; panels.
The conference organisers are the Department of Information Management of Hacettepe University, Department of Information and Communication Sciences of Zagreb University and the Information Literacy Association.
More information at https://ecil2027.ilconf.org/

Learning Lib – Open Educational Resources created by Nordic Libraries

On 13 November 2026 11.00 Swedish time (10.00 in the UK and Iceland) Nordinfolit (the Nordic association for information literacy) has organised a free webinar: Learning Lib – Open Educational Resources created by Nordic Libraries for everyone to use.
"This webinar will give an introduction to the platform Learning Lib, a Nordic platform for Open Educational Resources (OER). Learning Lib hosts free to use educational resources and exercises aimed at supporting the development of students’ information literacy and other academic and library-supported competencies. The speakers will present the concept behind Learning Lib as well as an example of the practical use."
Speakers are Anna Stegger Gemzøe and Solveig Sandal Johnsen from Aarhus University Library.
Register to get the Zoom link - go to https://nordinfolit.wordpress.com/2026/10/02/upcoming-webinar-learninglib-open-educational-resources/

Revised ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education

The revised ACRL Framework for Information Literacy 2026 has been approved and is now the default one on the ACRL website at https://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ilframework.
You can find the previous version at https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/acrl/content/issues/infolit/framework1.pdf. I haven't yet looked at it properly, but there are not any huge revisions (e.g. the frames have not changed their names). 
Revisions respond to tech developments, and also to acknowledge diverse "learner realities" & journeys, and diverse ways of knowing. Other tweaks are also interesting. For example: 
- The old version, in the introduction, said that the Framework "grows out of a belief that information literacy as an educational reform movement will realize its potential only through a richer, more complex set of core ideas"- the new one says it "positions information literacy (IL) as an educational reform movement with a foundation in a rich, complex set of core ideas." (implying that progress has been made). 
- Defining Authority Is Constructed and Contextual, the old version says 
"Information resources reflect their creators’ expertise and credibility, and are evaluated based on the information need and the context in which the information will be used. Authority is constructed in that various communities may recognize different types of authority. It is contextual in that the information need may help to determine the level of authority required." and the new version 
"Information resources reflect their creators’ expertise, credibility, and the context in which the information is created. Resources are evaluated based on the information need and the context in which the information will be used. Authority is constructed: various communities create and recognize different types of authority when seeking or encountering information. It is also contextual: the information need of the individual or community may help to determine the form of authority required to fulfill that need." 
The new one puts further emphasis on the context of information creation, and expands the explanation of both authority and context.

Manifesto for Generative AI in Higher Education

An interesting open access book was published last month. You can download it or read it online.
Farrell, H. & McCarthy, K. (Eds.) (2026). Manifesto for Generative AI in Higher Education: The Book Project: A living reflection on teaching, learning, and technology in an age of abundance. Pressbooks. https://pressbooks.pub/mfaihe/
It addresses the question "What kind of education do we want to create in a world where GenAI is readily available?" It consists of 30 chapters, each of which is prompted by a manifesto statement (which becomes the chapter title). The chapters I've read are stimulating and good starting points for discussion or action.
I will highlight the chapter coauthored by my longtime writing partner, Bill Johnston:
Johnston, B., MacNeill, S. & Smyth, K. The future classroom is a conversation, and it can be extraordinary. https://pressbooks.pub/mfaihe/chapter/the-future-classroom-is-a-conversation-and-it-can-be-extraordinary/
Photo by Sheila Webber: tree near the cablecar station, Zagreb, I think it's a beech, September 2026

Call for papers: Creating Knowledge 2027

There is a call for papers for the Creating Knowledge 2027 conference with the theme: Now what? Preparing today for the unknown – creating informed futures which will take place 9-11 June 2027 in Stockholm, Sweden. The deadline for proposals is 15 January 2027. 
There are 4 possible presentation formats: 8-minute presentation, followed by a brief on-stage discussion with fellow presenters; Round-table discussion (Start with a 3-minute presentation at your table, followed by a 15-minute discussion that you lead; 50-minute workshop; Fail Forward confessions ("Share a brief 2-3-minute example of a failure or mistake in a small group. Focus on what happened, what you learned and the key takeaway.") 
Go to https://kib.ki.se/en/creating-knowledge-2027 for more information.
Photo by Sheila Webber: clock and barometer, Zagreb, September 2026

New Book: 50 Library Lessons and Ideas

This is about school libraries. It has more ideas about literacy/ reading but also a few related to information literacy.
Maxwell, L. (2026). 50 Library Lessons and Ideas. Facet Publishing. Book number - 9781783307432. £19.99 (with 35% discount for CILIP members). https://www.facetpublishing.co.uk/page/detail/50-library-lessons-and-ideas/?k=9781783307432
Photo by Sheila Webber: autumn crocus, September 2026

cfp California Conference on Library Instruction

There is a call for proposals for the California Conference on Library Instruction which will take place 11 June 11 2027, at Cal State Monterey Bay, USA.  Deadline for proposals is 21 October 2026. The theme this year is Centering our students: accessible, inclusive, and responsive pedagogies: "share how you are using and developing accessible, inclusive, and responsive pedagogies to connect with and center your students in library instruction.
There are four possible formats: 60-minute presentation; 75-minute active learning workshop; 5- to 10-minute lightning talk; Poster.
For more information go to https://www.cclibinstruction.org/ 

Is there a right age for AI in education?

Livingstone, S., Sylwander, K. R., El Gemayel, S. and Atabey, A. (2026). Is there a right age for AI in education? Deciding whether AI is age-appropriate and why. UNESCO.  https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000399343 (20 pages)
From the recommendations (p.12) 
"In deciding whether and how to invest in AI resources for early childhood education, primary and secondary education, three priorities are recommended for Ministries of Education and schools:
1. Consider applying the Precautionary Principle (UNESCO, 2005). 
Evidence is lacking for most age groups in most countries regarding the benefits and harms of AI to children. Nonetheless, the current evidence on AI’s impact on children indicates that action may be required to actively avoid or diminish plausible harms. This applies especially to GenAI (including chatbots, AI tutors, mental health bots, companion AI), emotional AI, and biometric and neural-data AI technologies.
"2. Conduct a Child Rights Impact Assessment (Livingstone and Pothong, 2025). Deploy AI in education only when: 
(i) independent evidence shows it benefits learning among the relevant age group; 
(ii) data is processed in ways that are legally compliant, respect children’s privacy, and do not introduce learner safety risks; and 
(iii) it supports the human teacher and their interaction with their students, or it supports students’ learning in ways that do not displace either the teacher or peer collaborative learning. Answers to these questions should be reviewed regularly. In low-income settings, open-source evaluations and regional collaborations could be particularly useful.
"3. Ensure key questions are asked and answered before deployment.
a) Is there prior independent evidence of educational benefit for the target age group? Have developmental risks been evaluated, anticipated and mitigated?
b) Is AI needed for the target age group, compared with non-AI alternatives? Does the tool support or displace the teacher-student relationship and peer learning?
c) How has the proposed AI been meaningfully consulted on with students and teachers? During AI deployment, will children have supported opportunities to question it?
d) Has the AI product been tested independently and locally for children who will use it, ensuring its linguistic and cultural relevance, availability of help, and adaptation for multilingual learners and children with disabilities?" (the references are all in the document)
Photo by Sheila Webber: Narnian lampost in Zagreb, September 2026

Online conference: Critical Issues in Modern Academic Librarianship

There is a free online conference on 16 October 10.00-15.00 US Pacific time (which is 18.00-23.00 BST): Informed, Inclusive, Independent: Critical Issues in Modern Academic Librarianship Virtual Conference 
"We will discuss many different topics related to academic libraries including: Collaborations with public libraries Approaches to AI Literacy Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Academic Libraries Encouraging student scholarship through information literacy learning experiences Understanding the effectiveness of Problem-Based Learning Resources provided by the library Challenges to academic freedom in California State University Libraries".
Programme is at https://docs.google.com/document/d/162e5inFpl-j9mJEccYhnDZ0kCBFBJOlEJ0G8Reil58U/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.nd3ucuogufre 
Zoom link to register: https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/2xV9spoJTJiXPyHminVJCA 
Photo by Sheila Webber: big tree, Sheffield Botanic Gardens, September 2026

Papers from the 2026 Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Presentations from the 2026 Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy are available, linked from within the schedule.
The ones I looked at were powerpoints or posters e.g. Beyond the Buzzwords: Working with Faculty to Create AI-Informed Personal Information Literacy Frameworks (which is proposing scaffolding staff and students to develop their own framework) and Empowering Research Topic Development with Generative AI Prompts - a Pilot study for First-Year Writing Students.
Go to https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gaintlit/2026/
Photo by Sheila Webber: Zagreb cathedral, the spires are under restoration, September 2026

Call for proposals: Think Critically, Act Sustainably: School Libraries at the Intersection of MIL and Climate Literacy

The IFLA Information Literacy Section, in collaboration with the School Libraries Section calls for proposals for a webinar to be held on 29 October 2026 at 06.00-08.00 US EST: Think Critically, Act Sustainably: School Libraries at the Intersection of MIL and Climate Literacy.
Deadline for proposals is 7 October 2026.
This is in celebration of UNESCO's Global Media and Information Literacy Week. "This webinar explores how school libraries can strengthen climate literacy, counter climate mis/disinformation, and support communities in making sustainable choices. We welcome original research, case studies, and practical initiatives from all regions".
More information at https://www.ifla.org/news/call-for-presentation-ifla-ils-sls-global-mil-week-webinar-2026/
Photo by Sheila Webber: salmon sculture in metal outside Sheffield station, September 2026

Call for proposals: Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy 2027

There is a call for proposals for the Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy which will be held 4-5 February 2027 in person at Georgia Southern University, Savannah, Georgia, USA. The conference theme is Accessibility as a Cornerstone of Information Literacy and the proposal deadline is 4 October 2026. 
Proposal formats include individual papers, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and innovative multimedia/digital demonstrations. 
There is more information about potential topics on the conference website https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gaintlit/

New book: AI for the information professional

A new book, authored by my colleague Dr Andrew Cox:
Cox, A. (2026). AI for the information professional: A critical guide. Facet Publishing. https://www.facetpublishing.co.uk/page/detail/ai-for-the-information-professional/?k=9781783306862
For another couple of days (til 25 September) you can use code SCHOOL50 for 50% off.
The "sample chapter" containing the contents list and introduction is here and if you read this you can see Andrew takes a very interesting and readable approach, so much so that I just bought the book (£25+ postage with the 50% off)
Photo by Sheila Webber: Botanic Gardens, Zagreb, September 2026