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Tuesday, January 31, 2023
#UKMedLibs chat
Monday, January 30, 2023
Webinar: Video Games in Scotland: Risks, Opportunities & Myths
Today 30 January at 13.15 UK time (sorry for the late announcement!) there is a free webinar: Careers/Skills Talk: Video Games in Scotland: Risks, Opportunities & Myths. This talk is offered as part of the project 'Maddie is Online': A creative path to the Ethics of online Safety and Security for young people'
Dr Matthew Barr, Senior Lecturer & Programme Director at University of Glasgow, will highlight the relationships between video games and mental health, video games and violence, and online games and gambling. Dr. Barr recently published a case study on Video Games in Scotland in a new report published by the Scottish Government on ‘’ Building Trust in the Digital Era
Register at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/careersskills-talk-video-games-in-scotland-risks-opportunities-myths-tickets-522543380317
A recording will be provided to all registered participants.
Maddie is Online "is a project funded by the Scottish Government and supported by Digital Xtra Fund. Our purpose is to engage schools with the concepts of an Ethical Digital Nation: 'Growing as an ethical digital nation and developing trust in the way we use data and apply digital technology is a collective responsibility' (Scottish Government Ethical Digital Nation).
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Sunday, January 29, 2023
Call for Chapters: Critical Information Literacy Applications in Libraries
Proposals (maximum 300 words) must be submitted by 10 March 2023. Questions to CILApplicationsInLibraries@gmail.com
The submission form, which has more information, is here: https://forms.gle/94RCjN58hHoSCb7A8
"Critical information literacy asks that librarians work with learners to question and challenge the oppressive systems behind the creation, production, and dissemination of information. This difficult work is happening across all types of libraries, and encompasses (among other topics) questions of neutrality in the resources libraries provide, the algorithms that provide search results, the voices that are absent or present from our collections, and the accessibility of those resources.
This edited book will focus on Critical Information Literacy applications for academic, public, school, and special libraries and was inspired by the LIRT President’s Program of the same name at ALA Annual in June, 2022 (see pps. 5-6 of this PDF: https://www.ala.org/rt/sites/ala.org.rt/files/content/archive/2022sep.pdf)"
Photo by Sheila Webber: Aberystwyth sky, January 2023
Saturday, January 28, 2023
Large Language Models like ChatGPT say The Darnedest Things
As the threats and opportunities of ChatGPT are being discussed, here is a blog post on the ACM website, highlighting types of mistake (e.g. in arithmetic) made by ChatGTP https://cacm.acm.org/blogs/blog-cacm/268575-large-language-models-like-chatgpt-say-the-darnedest-things/fulltext. In this post they mention a database they are compiling (ChatGPT/LLM Errors Tracker) of the prompts and erroneous responses that people have got from ChatGPT, which can be found at https://researchrabbit.typeform.com/llmerrors?typeform-source=garymarcus.substack.com
Photo by Midjourney/Sheila Webber, created with the prompt mistakes errors sadness computers chatgptThursday, January 26, 2023
Teaching Critical Reading Skills: Strategies for Academic Librarians
A new book from ACRL is: Teaching Critical Reading Skills: Strategies for Academic Librarians, edited by Hannah Gascho Rempel and Rachel Hamelers. It is a 2-Volume set: Volume 1 consists of Reading in the Disciplines and Reading for Specific Populations. Volume 2 has main sections: Reading Beyond Scholarly Texts; Reading to Evaluate; and Reading in the World.
It costs US $120.00 (ALA Member $108.00) and its ISBN is 978-0-8389-3961-1
More information here https://www.alastore.ala.org/content/teaching-critical-reading-skills-strategies-academic-librarians-2-volume-set
Photo by Sheila Webber: Aberystwyth, January 2023
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Basic Introduction to using lego
A priced online course from library game expert Andrew Walsh is Basic Introduction to using Lego in Adult Teaching/ Support on 20 February 2023, 13.00-16.30 GMT (UK time), cost is £75 a person (including Lego - you get to keep the lego!).
"We will introduce briefly the concept of Lego® Serious Play® (LSP) and carry out some exercises based upon it, from warm-ups to some more involved builds . We'll talk about the equipment you need to take this approach and where you might source it from. It isn't an in-depth, "everything you ever need to know" workshop - it's a quick introduction to some practical basics of the approach."
Bookings will close either when the course is full (only 10 remaining at time of writing!), or a week before the workshop.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/basic-introduction-to-using-lego-in-adult-teaching-support-tickets-523489931477
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Webinars: Slido; ChatGP
Upcoming LiLi Lifelong Information Literacy webinars in the free Show and Tell series. Homepage at https://lili.libguides.com/showandtell/home
- Using Slido to Engage & Entertain: Getting Students Involved During One-Shot Sessions. 8 February 2023, 10.00-11.00 US Pacific time (which is e.g. 18.00-19.00 UK time) Presenter: Kristin Peace. "Slido is an easy-to-implement, easy-to-use interactive tool for Google Slides presentations which can be especially impactful during one-shot library instruction classes. In this presentation, we’ll review how to incorporate Slido.com into your in-person and online classes plus share ideas on how to use the tool to engage students during the one-shot." Registration will open January 25
- Using ChatGPT to Engage in Library Instruction? Challenges and Opportunities. 22 February 2023, 10.00-11.00 US Pacific time (which is e.g. 18.00-19.00 UK time). Presenter: Ray Pun. "Arriving in November 2022, ChatGPT is a generative artificial intelligence chatbot that has emerged as a tool to create stories, essays, lists, questions, and more on almost any topic. Its impact on learning and society as a whole is still unclear but at this moment, more and more schools are banning the use of ChatGPT. This Free Show & Tell Webinar will look at ChatGPT and how this tool may be aligned to support library instruction. The session will also be an open discussion on how we can mitigate its deleterious effects on learning. (Please note: this description was not created by ChatGPT.)" Registration will open February 8
Monday, January 23, 2023
Call for proposals: Distance and Online Library Instruction Virtual Poster Session
The ACRL Distance and Online Learning Section Instruction Committee (DOLS-IC) invites proposal to the fifth annual Distance and Online Library Instruction Virtual Poster Session, taking place free online 24-28 April 2023. Proposals are due 31 January 2023. "The term "poster" is used very loosely. The intent is to keep the spirit of the traditional poster session while allowing for creativity in the format used. As in traditional poster sessions, virtual presenters will create short, asynchronous presentations of their work and be available to answer questions during the week of the poster session. While an image or PDF that matches the traditional poster format is welcome, the sky's the limit! Interactive and multimedia formats that are accessible are especially encouraged.... During the poster session week, presenters will asynchronously engage with attendees throughout the week. Viewers can ask questions about your work through commenting functionality and engage in conversation with you about your topic. After the poster session week has concluded, the posters will be archived on the DOLS website so that they can continue to be viewed indefinitely."
Themes are:
- Accessibility and Inclusivity: How do you ensure that your online courses and learning objects are accessible for all? How do you intentionally create inclusive online spaces and content for diverse audiences?
- Assessment: How do you assess your online instruction (including qualitative and affective assessment)?
- Creative Approaches: How have you used creativity in your design, collaboration, or engagement strategies within online library instruction?
- Instructional Collaborations: How do you effectively build relationships and collaborate with faculty, instructional designers, and others to instruct distance and online students?
- Project Planning & Management: How do you efficiently manage the "behind the scenes" work of planning, developing, reviewing, and updating online courses and learning objects?
Full details are here. Poster guidelines are here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a0Ua7SfEzYhYpwkGuDy5k47aR63XbXW5wKSx360Z9aw/preview and the submission form is here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8GG3pYqX6rztTRep58u2SMXPiBj3H4oM4a6ee8T879kynIQ/viewform
Sunday, January 22, 2023
Ross Todd Award for research: Vote now!
The Journal of Information Literacy is offering the Ross Todd Award for Research. There are two awards; one for Best Research Paper, published in the Journal of Information Literacy, 2021-2022, and one for Best Project Report, published in the Journal of Information Literacy, 2021-2022. "These awards will be informed by a public vote, and the final decision will be made by a panel from the Journal of Information Literacy Editorial Board. The award results will be announced at LILAC and awardees will receive a certificate outlining their achievement."
The award commemorates the information literacy expert Ross Todd
There is a link to the papers here https://ojs.lboro.ac.uk/JIL/issue/archive
You should vote for one research paper and one project report by 2 March 2023: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=_oivH5ipW0yTySEKEdmlwpBcfAuEFn9Ovup1JJpeZOJURFVLODRHUjhZSkFJRzU4V1MzN0EyUEY4Ny4u
Friday, January 20, 2023
Webinar: IFLA School Library Guidelines; Best Practices of Teacher-Librarians in France
Registration at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6XPiUVCGTi6g8IGOepF-9gPhoto by Sheila Webber: lake in the park, Lyon, France, August 2014
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Call for proposals: Library Instruction Together
The Library Instruction Together (formerly Library Instruction Tennessee) will be held in person on 19 May 2023 at Nashville Public Library, USA, and on 24 May 2023 online. The theme is better together. There is a proposal submission form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIskxg5cRGXlsQbqzX37ZiMuA2A0EyTmPvI-Fr9N2WhzqV-w/viewform and the website at https://libraryinstructiontogether.org/
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Webinars: AI search engines; Librarian's guide to TikTok; Google search
AI search engines – a Power Hour with Phil Bradley is on 27 January 2023. Cost £35
"AI has exploded in the last month and it will have a huge impact on the way in which information professionals work. In this Power Hour you will learn about the latest developments in AI and how it's being used with search engines to improve the accuracy and relevance of search results. You will also learn about the key challenges and ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI with search, and how this can be addressed. This course will get you up to speed on AI and ensure you can stay ahead of the curve."
More info and registration https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ai-search-engines-a-power-hour-with-phil-bradley-tickets-501850286717
A librarian’s guide to TikTok – a Power Hour with Phil Bradley on 16 February 2023. Cost £35
"TikTok is swiftly supplanting Facebook as the social media network to use. This Power Hour will address many of the questions you may have regarding it. By the end of the session, you will have learned:
• What is TikTok?
• Who uses it (demographics, usage and growth statistics)
• How it is used
• How authors, publishers and libraries are using TikTok
Please note; this is not a 'how to create TikTok content" but an overview of the platform"
More info and registration:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/librarians-guide-to-tiktok-a-power-hour-with-phil-bradley-tickets-501875602437
Google search – a Power Hour with Phil Bradley 21 February 2023. Cost £35.
"Are you getting as much out of Google as you possibly can? Google offers many different search options which are not automatically obvious, and if you don't know what and where are they, you are condemned to a life of poor search results and hours of wasted time!"
More info and registration:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/librarians-guide-to-tiktok-a-power-hour-with-phil-bradley-tickets-50187560243
Monday, January 16, 2023
LILAC student bursaries and IL award
Applications for LILAC’s Information Literacy Award and Student Award are now open. Closing date for both awards is 17 February 2023, 17.00 GMT (UK time).
Information Literacy Award. This award is sponsored by the CILIP Information Literacy Group and the Information School, University of Sheffield. It is "for achievement in the field of information literacy (IL), open to all practitioners, researchers and academics working in the IL field within the UK. Nominations must demonstrate impact, innovation, initiative, and originality in one or more of the following areas: Raising the profile of IL within an organisation / community or sector; Initiating or contributing to national, regional, or local projects / initiatives which enhance IL skills for an identified client group(s); Developing a digital resource (e.g., online course, service, product, or app) which develops and enhances IL skills; Undertaking original research in the field of IL and making a significant contribution to the literature. Nominations may be from any sector and we welcome nominations for individuals as well as for groups/teams."
More info at https://www.lilacconference.com/awards/information-literacy-award
Rowena Macrae-Gibson Student Award. "The Rowena Macrae-Gibson Student Award provides a sponsored place at LILAC for two students registered on a UK study programme. The award includes a full conference place, including social events, and UK travel and accommodation expenses up to the value of £225. It is not essential that applicants are current members of CILIP or its Information Literacy Group."
More info at https://www.lilacconference.com/awards/student-sponsored-places
Sunday, January 15, 2023
Webinar: Changing Roles: Impacting Student Achievement through Faculty Development
"Faculty development provides librarians the opportunity to use our considerable expertise to develop scalable and sustainable programs that support teaching and learning-making a significant, demonstrable impact to the educational missions of our institutions. ... In this interactive panel discussion, three librarians with significant experience leading faculty development initiatives will discuss how librarians can impact student outcomes by adopting a faculty developer role. Panelists will discuss key issues, including: How does faculty development support librarians' teaching and learning goals? What factors support librarians' ability to act as faculty developers? How does faculty development align with the traditional role and identity of librarians? How can librarians develop their capacity to act as faculty developers? Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and share comments via Padlet. They will leave with an enhanced understanding of the faculty developer role and actionable steps for integrating faculty development into their practice."
Register at: https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_b1lkL3U8RRKCKuMedFn5aA
Photo by Sheila Webber: discarded Christmas tree, January 2023
Saturday, January 14, 2023
Critical Approaches to Libraries Conference #CALC23
The first stage of the Call for Papers for the Critical Approaches to Libraries Conference 2023 is open. It will be online and likely to be in the week commencing 22nd May 2023 [updated - originally I didn't have a date].
"The first stage is reserved for speakers from groups who are underrepresented and/or marginalised in academia, librarianship and traditional conference programmes. These include People of Colour/BAME/Non-White, English is an additional language, LGBTQIA+, Disabled people, Neurodivergent people, Deaf presenters and those from Working Class backgrounds"
Deadline for Stage 1 of the CfP is 5 February 2023 at 23.59 GMT (UK time).
More details at https://sites.google.com/view/calcconference/call-for-papers
Proposals for sessions can be submitted using this Google Form.
Additional information on the Call for Papers on their online guide. This page explains what is meant by Critical Library Practice https://sites.google.com/view/calcconference/about/what-is-critical-library-practice
You can find recordings of some previous conference sessions on their Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqB_9b3mgcJ0yu8cHK9kIoQ
Friday, January 13, 2023
Webinar: now: Copyright Education and Information Literacy
Further information at https://copyrightliteracy.org/2023/01/10/webinar-57-copyright-education-and-information-literacy/.
This is the direct link to the Blackboard Collaborate classroom https://eu.bbcollab.com/guest/b0ed6c888307480ba897751a57f93713.
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
New articles: Impact of infolit on - ability to use library resources - student retention; virtual learning; evaluatiing preprints
- The Effect of Information Literacy Training on Graduate Students’ Ability to Use Library Resources by Shuzhen Zhao, Rong Luo, Christine Sabina, Karen Pillon
- Conducting a User Needs Assessment through the Consortia: Pooling Resources to Examine Student and Faculty Habits by Ruth Szpunar, Eric Bradley
- Correlation Between Library Instruction and Student Retention: Methods and Implications by Mary K. O’Kelly, Jon Jeffryes, Maya Hobscheid, Rachael Passarelli
- The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Rapid Shift to an Exclusively Online Format: Tracking Online Instructors’ Utilization of Library Services Over a Year of Virtual Learning at the University of Memphis by Jessica McClure
- Students’ Perceptions of Preprints Discovered in Google: A Window into Recognition And Evaluation by Tara Tobin Cataldo, Ixchel M. Faniel, Amy G. Buhler, Brittany Brannon, Lynn Silipigni Connaway, Samuel Putnam
Go to https://crl.acrl.org/index.php/crl/issue/view/1631/showToc
Photo by Sheila Webber: discarded Christmas tree waiting for collection, January 2023
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Call for chapter proposals: Teaching Information Literacy by Discipline
There is a call for chapter proposals for a new edited collection on adapting the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education to specific disciplines, provisionally entitled Teaching Information Literacy by Discipline: Using and Creating Adaptations of the Framework, to be published by the Association of College & Research Libraries in 2024.
"Proposals can reference uses of the ACRL's official Framework companion documents or other disciplinary adaptations created and used by the author(s)."
Proposals (250 to 500 words long) should be sent to Scott Libson (scott.libson@yale.edu) and Malia Willey (willeyme@jmu.edu) by 13 February 2023 accompanied by a CV. Proposals should make connections between the Framework and applications to a discipline. First drafts of chapters (approximately 2,500 words will be due on 10 July 2023.
"The book will be divided into sections based on broad subject areas. Within each section, chapters will focus on a particular discipline. The tentative outline is as follows:
"- Section 1: Arts (Chapter 1: Art, Architecture, and Design - Can include work based on the The Framework for Visual Literacy in Higher Education; Chapter 2: Music; Chapter 3: Theatre; Proposals on other art disciplines are encouraged!)
"- Section 2: Humanities (Chapter 4: History - Can include work based on the Guidelines for Primary Source Literacy; Chapter 5: Journalism - Can include work based on the Journalism companion document; Chapter 6: English - Can include work based on the Research Competencies in Writing and Literature companion document; Chapter 7: Women's and Gender Studies- Can include work based on the Women's and Gender Studies companion document; Proposals on other humanities disciplines are encouraged!)
"- Section 3: Professional Studies (Chapter 8: Social Work- Can include work based on the Social Work companion document; Chapter 9: Business; Chapter 10: Education; Chapter 11: Health; Proposals on other professional disciplines are encouraged!)
"- Section 4: Social Sciences (Chapter 12: Political Science - Can include work based on the Politics, Policy, and International Relations companion document; Chapter 13: Sociology- Can include work based on the Sociology companion document; Chapter 14: Psychology - Can include work based on the Psychology companion document; Proposals on other social science disciplines are encouraged!)
"- Section 5: Sciences - Can include work based on the STEM companion document (Chapter 15: Biology; Chapter 16: Engineering; Chapter 17: Environmental Science; Chapter 18: Geology; Proposals on other science disciplines are encouraged!)"
Photo by Sheila Webber: last in the Christmas wreaths of South London series, December 2022
Monday, January 09, 2023
New articles: Tech tools; Infolit in international masters students; Sharing partisan news
- Rybin Koob, A., Ibacache Oliva, K. S., Williamson, M., Lamont-Manfre, M., Hugen, A., & Dickerson, A. (2022). Tech Tools in Pandemic-Transformed Information Literacy Instruction. Information Technology and Libraries, 41(4). https://doi.org/10.6017/ital.v41i4.15383 "... this paper examines the digital accessibility of five tech tools used in information literacy sessions, specifically for students who use assistive technologies such as screen readers. The tools are Kahoot!, Mentimeter, Padlet, Jamboard, and Poll Everywhere." It goes through the problems in detail - a useful practical article if you are using these tools.
- Černý, J. & Potančok, M. (2023). Information literacy in international masters students: A competitive and business intelligence course perspective. Cogent Education, 10(1), 2161701. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2022.2161701 This investigates "the information literacy of international master’s students [at a Czech university], focusing on the evaluation of their information-seeking behaviour during competitive and business intelligence processes, together with the subsequent verification methods they use once the desired information is found. During this research, 207 students received a test with questions related to business information literacy, with either one or more options or free-text answers. The results showed a significant lack of information literacy in the use of information sources, including knowledge about their existence and consequent search habits, but they did at least also show a fundamental awareness of verification methods. The students also demonstrated awareness of the significance of data visualisation needs when reporting the contexts found in business intelligence process data.
- Lee, E-J. & Jang, J-W. (2023). How Political Identity and Misinformation Priming Affect Truth Judgments and Sharing Intention of Partisan News. Digital Journalism, [early online publication]. https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2022.2163413 "The current research investigated (a) if political identity predicts perceived truthfulness of and the intention to share partisan news, and (b) if a media literacy video that warns of misinformation (priming-video) mitigates the partisan bias by enhancing truth discernment. ... Two web-based experiments were conducted in South Korea.... Collectively, our findings demonstrate the robust operation of partisan bias in the processing and sharing of partisan news. Misinformation priming aided in the detection of falsehood, but it also induced distrust in reliable information, posing a challenge in fighting misinformation"
Sunday, January 08, 2023
Webinar: Top 10 global tech trends to watch in education for 2023
A free webinar hosted by the Special Library Association Academic & Education Community and ACRL's EBSS Education Committee is at 13.30 US EST (which is, e.g., 18.30 UK time) on 13 January 2023 on Top 10 global tech trends to watch in education for 2023. The speaker is Matt Leger, a Research Manager on IDC’s Government Insights team responsible for the Worldwide Education Digital Strategies research practice.
"Mr. Leger’s research focuses on key education IT and digital transformation trends, as well as emerging solutions impacting how primary, secondary and higher education and related services are delivered. Mr. Leger will discuss his top 10 global tech trends to watch in education for 2023. The presentation is split into three sections: The first section covers the top 5 trends in teaching and learning; the second section covers the top 5 trends in administration and operations; and the third section highlights the leading challenges facing education institutions that will significantly influence the trajectory of these trends over the next 12–18 months."
You need to register: go to https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMvceqtpzwsHtDYWS_rchrX5m7G3s7BG3DS
Friday, January 06, 2023
New articles: One-shots; Accessibility
A couple of relevant items from the latest issue of the open-access College & Research Libraries News:
- Benjes-Small, C. (2023). There’s a baby in the bath water: In defense of one-shots. College & Research Libraries News, 84(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.84.1.12
- Frazier, D. (2023). Shifting from reactive to proactive: An accessibility review and revision project. College & Research Libraries News, 84(1), 27. https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.84.1.27
Webinar: Effectively Embedding Blended Learning
There is a free (registration required) webinar: Effectively Embedding Blended Learning, on 10 February 2023 at 13.00 UK time (GMT), organised by UKSG in their Further Education series.The speaker is Amy Hollier (Director of Blended & Online Learning at
Heart of Worcestershire College and the Blended Learning Consortium).
"This session will share experiences of how Heart of Worcestershire
College introduced an institution-wide blended learning strategy over 10
years ago and has since incepted the National Blended Learning
Consortium of over 160 member colleges. The session will also focus on
how further education institutions can expand blended learning and the
options available for extending this type of learning to become an
integral part of the curriculum".
Register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7496745583974285151
Photo by Sheila Webber: wreaths of South London, December 2022
Wednesday, January 04, 2023
Interview with Alison Head @ProjectInfoLit
Photo by Sheila Webber: Xmas wreaths of South London, December 2022
Tuesday, January 03, 2023
Project Information Literacy retrospective @ProjectInfoLit
I will start my blog posts for 2023 with a retrospective: the report that was posted at the close of the College studies phase of the valuable Project Information Literacy, in October 2022 [apologies, I first put that it was the close of PIL, which isn't the case!]. You can download it in pdf, but the online version https://projectinfolit.org/pubs/retrospective/ is useful in providing easy access to individual PIL reports and other material. It is in the four parts:
1. A brief introduction to the project
2. A handy list of the PIL research reports - each has a band of "sample notes" (with an at-a-glance view of their methods of data collection), the link to the report, and then a short paragraph summarising the results.
3. An interactive data visualisation of citations to the PIL reports, so you can track citations by year, and see from which disciplinary journals the citations are coming, and which countries the research was carried out in, with a discussion of the research's impact. There is a User Guide for Project Information Literacy’s Retrospective Citation Analysis Dataset and you can download the dataset in CSV format.
4. "How we did it" talking about methods and in particular stressing the collaborative approach.
Section 4 includes a table "lessons learned" [for IL research in a higher education context], namely: Start with students; Think long term; Widen the lens (i.e. beyond the immediate academic need); Develop students’ agency (through IL education/research); Foster a collaborative culture.
The page with links to all the material is:
Alison J. Head, Barbara Fister, Steven Geofrey, and Margy MacMillan, The Project Information Literacy Retrospective: Insights from more than a decade of information literacy research, 2008-2022 (12 October 2022), Project Information Research Institute, https://projectinfolit.org/publications/retrospective