Merry Christmas 2024!

A very merry holiday season to all who like Information Literacy!
As usual, the photo is of the wreath I make each year out of trimmings from the bottom branches of our Christmas tree.
A peaceful and joyous time to you.

Webinar: Teaching Skills for Librarians

On 18 January 2025 9.30-11.30 GMT is an online course Teaching Skills for Librarians organised by the CILIP School Libraries Group and presented by Bryony Hart, English teacher (KS3-5), Literacy Lead (Y3-13) and Junior School-Senior School Liaison Coordinator at the Portsmouth Grammar School and Dr Carol Webb, Head Librarian and Coach at the Portsmouth Grammar School. Cost is £25.
"By the end of this webinar, delegates will have: Achieved an understanding of how to construct a learning experience for pupils; Developed your knowledge of the language used by teachers; Gained some tips and ideas of how to begin teaching in your library."
Register at  https://www.cilip.org.uk/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1905355&group=
Photo by Sheila Webber, I think of an arbutus tree, November 2024

Critical Digital Literacies

#DLFteach Toolkit Volume 4: Critical Digital Literacies "an open-access resource designed to support both information professionals and educators" was released a couple of months ago by the Digital Library Federation (DLF) Digital Library Pedagogy Working Group, "also known as #DLFteach a grassroots community of practice" They say that "With a thematic focus on critical digital literacies, Volume 4 of the Toolkit offers adaptable lesson plans and learning objects that help learners develop the skills necessary to consume and create information in a digital landscape, as well as the habits of mind necessary to understand and critique information systems and their underlying power structures. It encourages both skills-based outcomes and contextual thinking, making clear the inequities and structural biases of many digital tools."
Go to https://dlfteach.pubpub.org/dlfteach-toolkit-critical-digital-literacies
Previous toolkits include Lesson Plans for Literacy and Competency Driven Digital Scholarship Instruction and Lesson Plans on Immersive Pedagogy.
Photo by Sheila Webber: memories of summer, Bournemouth June 2024

New articles: First year writing; #OERs; eTextbooks

The latest issue of open access College & Research Libraries News (vol. 85 no. 11, 2024) includes:
- Peer Reviewing Sources: A Framework-Informed Approach to Information Literacy in First-Year Writing by Julia Kovatch, Bryce Nishikawa, Loring Pfeiffer, Nicole Branch, and Julia Voss.
- Gateways to OERs: Scaffolded Strategies for Success by Lori Lysiak
- Connecting Students to Free Course Materials: An eTextbook Portal Using Digital Commons and WordPress by Lily Dubach, Lee Dotson, Bobby Ciullo, and Kerri Bottorff.
Go to https://crln.acrl.org/index.php/crlnews/issue/view/1669/showToc
Photo by Sheila Webber: autumn branches, November 2024

Webinar: Being information literate as an autistic person in the library workplace

Organised by the Neurodivergent Library and Information Staff Network, Amelia Haire presents her research on Being information literate as an autistic person in the library workplace on 20 January 2025 at 11.00-12.00 GMT, free online. "What does it mean to be information literate for an autistic person in the academic library workplace? As Information Literacy, as a field, is only 50 years old, it would make sense that there are many areas that still have yet to be explored. After getting her Autism diagnosis in 2023, and beginning her MA at the same time, Amelia noticed a gap in the research between 1) the experience of autistic library staff rather than patrons 2) the autistic experience of becoming information literate in the workplace. Bringing these gaps together launched a project that included a survey sent out to NLISN members, interviews, and a literature review that culminated in a unique opportunity for autistic librarians to have their voices heard." Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/being-information-literate-as-an-autistic-person-in-the-library-workplace-tickets-1105453965569?
Photo by Sheila Webber: snow in Sheffield, November 2024

Launch of revised framework: Internet universality

On 15 December 2024 UNESCO launched its revision of Internet universality: advancing inclusive digital transformation with ROAM-X Indicators https://doi.org/10.58338/CPTK8651  (126 pages)
ROAM-X stands for human Rights, Openness, Accessibility to all, and Multistakeholder participation, with X representing cross-cutting issues including gender equality, environment, sustainable development, trust, and security. There are 49 core questions and 88 core indicators.
Media and Information Literacy is included in A for Access in "Theme F -  Capabilities and Competencies"
"Effective use of the Internet and Internet-enabled services requires certain capabilities and competencies on the part of users. This is important for both individuals and for businesses and organizations that seek to use the Internet for commercial and other purposes. The importance of media and information literacy (covering digital as well as offline communications) to the achievement of this goal is widely recognised. This includes basic literacy (which is included in the contextual indicators earlier in this volume), capabilities required for effective use of online services and applications, and technical competence at various levels." (p77)
The document was launched at the Internet Governance 2024 which continues today (you can join it online) https://intgovforum.org/en/content/igf-2024-schedule
Image created by Sheila Webber using Midjourney AI: prompt was the title of the report: it possibly illustrates that environmental damage done by me asking a randomly pointless question of generative AI

Celebrating 50 years of #infolit

Firstly a very recent article:
Kaufmann, K. & Maybee, C. (2024). Information literacy: Celebrating 50 years. Florida Libraries, 66(3), 24-28. [this is the whole open-access issue] https://www.flalib.org/assets/Florida%20Libraries%20Journal%20Fall%202024-FINAL-11-24.pdf

Secondly a blog post from last year, that I missed:
Secker, J. (2023, October 25). Information Literacy at 50. ILG blog. https://infolit.org.uk/information-literacy-at-50/

Video: Information Literacy in Public and Health libraries

There's a video from the CILIP Members Fest about Information Literacy in Public and Health libraries with speakers Drew Feeney (North Lanarkshire Council, Scotland) and Katie Wise (Royal Berkshire NHS, England)
Go to https://www.cilip.org.uk/page/MembersFest24_Recordings? and scroll down to that video
Photo by Sheila Webber: autumn colour in the Botanics, October 2024

New articles: Annual bibliography; Universal Design for Learning; Teaching through chat; Metaverse; Onboarding

The latest issue of Reference Services Review (priced journal) is vol. 52 issue 3, 2024. Articles include:
- Library instruction and information literacy 2023 by Carolyn Caffrey et al. (their extensive annual annotated bibliography)
- Applying Universal Design for Learning to library peer professional development: a case study acknowledging adults as learners by Meggan Press, James Henry Smith
- Creating short-form content for academic libraries: a workflow by Margaret Bates ("This article describes a workflow designed for liaison librarians at an academic library creating short-form video content to increase student engagement"
- Onboarding for liaison librarians: building community and practice by Karleigh Riesen - Challenges and opportunities in teaching and learning in AskALibrarian chat: differences across subject domains by Paula R. Dempsey et al.
- Metaverse adventures into libraries: what librarians and information users need to know by Yusuf Ayodeji Ajani et al.
Go to: https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/0090-7324/vol/52/iss/3
Photo by Sheila Webber: the Christmas puddings I made a couple of weeks ago using my mother's recipe. This was before they were steamed for a couple of hours (they need another hour of steaming immediately before eating)

Call for proposals: Teaching Information Literacy for Everyday Life

There is a call for chapter proposals for a book to be published by ACRL: deadline 15 January 2025. The book is Teaching Information Literacy for Everyday Life, edited by Anne Diekema and Maralee Carlin (Southern Utah University, USA).
"What are some of the everyday information literacy skills and topics that academic librarians are teaching their students to prepare them for everyday life? What are librarians doing to ensure the transfer of students’ academic information literacy skills to real-life situations? This edited volume will contain contributions from authors on everyday information literacy instruction."
"The book is tentatively organized in four parts, each dealing with a different facet of everyday information literacy:
"1) Information literacy in personal lives (Chapters in this section will consider information literacy in the personal realm and how to prepare students to operate effectively in information environments that pertain to aspects of their personal lives such as health, recreation, consumption of goods and services, etc.),
"2) Information literacy in the social environment, (Chapters in this section relate to the information used in the social realm and how to make students aware of the nuances of information creation, dissemination, consumption, and sharing in social environments, and how it impacts social interactions, relationships, and society at large.)
"3) Information literacy in the workplace, (Chapters in this section will discuss teaching information practices essential to the information-driven professional environments students will find themselves in after graduation. )
"4) Information literacy in education (Chapters in this section will focus on teaching and promoting information literacy in educational contexts beyond the narrow focus of academic information literacy in preparation for the information society beyond academia.).
"Each chapter will include a lesson plan and/or learning activity to guide and inspire librarians to expand information literacy instruction into the realm of daily life."
Note that I think it is about teaching in a university setting, not outside this setting.
The rubric they will use to evaluate proposals is https://tinyurl.com/krrkcpj4
Submit proposals on this form https://forms.gle/wHs62xcd5oqGcqGU7
Photo by Sheila Webber: beech tree, late October 2024

Action Plan on Combatting Disinformation and Misinformation through Media and Information Literacy (MIL)

This is a short publication produced by journalist unions in the South Africa region, under the auspices of UNESCO. It has actions for journalist training, collaboration, public awareness and advocacy for policy.
"This document will serve as the foundation for broader continental efforts, with FAJ [Federation of African Journalists] committed to replicating and expanding the initiative across all five regions of Africa – subject to raising the necessary resources. The goal is to ensure seamless implementation at the continental, regional, national and local levels, addressing the unique challenges posed by disinformation and misinformation.This plan envisages deployment of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) as a primary strategy for combatting false information. By empowering both journalists and the public to critically engage with the media landscape, the plan seeks to strengthen the capacity of journalists and raise awareness about disinformation"
UNESCO Office in Harare & Federation of African Journalists. (2024). Action Plan on Combatting Disinformation and Misinformation through Media and Information Literacy (MIL). UNESCO. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000391879
Photo by Sheila Webber: reflections of Christmas, November 2024

Generative AI and Labor

Published last week by Data & Society, a short book which addresses some interesting and disturbing issues about the kind of labour that use of genAI will create and replace:
Nguyen, A. & Mateescu, A. (2024). Generative AI and Labor: Power, Hype, and Value at Work. https://datasociety.net/library/generative-ai-and-labor/

Webinar: Harnessing Pandora's box: At the Intersection of Information Literacy and #AI

On 13 December 12.30 US Eastern time (so, 17.30 GMT) another AI focused webinar. Hosted by the Special Libraries Association Academic & Education Community and ACRL's EBSS Education Committee it's Harnessing Pandora's box: At the Intersection of Information Literacy and AI.
Speakers are all from Miami University, USA: Katie Gibson (Humanities Librarian), Roger Justus (Data Services Librarian), Stefanie Hilles (Arts and Humanities Librarian) and Ginny Boehme (Science Librarian).
"Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to dominate scholarly discussion, especially with regard to critical pedagogy and digital literacies. How do librarians work with faculty to create writing and research assignments that encourage our students to critically engage with information? How can we harness these tools to create deeper learning, instead of futilely trying to outright ban their use? How should librarians and other teaching faculty approach information literacy and when these AI tools are becoming more commonplace?" Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMvceqtpzwsHtDYWS_rchrX5m7G3s7BG3DS
Another image created by Sheila Webber using Midjourney and the prompt: empowered librarians in a forest watercolour style. In this case the librarians appear to have been empowered to move the book collection into a spooky forest with poor lighting

Webinar: Empowering Librarians with #AI Literacy: A Framework for Navigating and Teaching AI

There is a free webinar on 10 December 2024 at 14.00 US Eastern time (19.00 GMT) Empowering Librarians with AI Literacy: A Framework for Navigating and Teaching AI. "Authors of the LibTech Insights (LTI) white paper Building an AI Literacy Framework will walk through AI literacy strategies and implementation. "
Go to https://www.choice360.org/webinars/empowering-librarians-with-ai-literacy-a-framework-for-navigating-and-teaching-ai/
The white paper is this (published in August)
Hervieux, S. & Wheatley, A. (2024). AI Literacy framework: Perspectives from Instruction Librarians and Current Information Literacy Tools https://www.choice360.org/research/white-paper-building-an-ai-literacy-framework-perspectives-from-instruction-librarians-and-current-information-literacy-tools/?utm_source=ACRLShare&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=LTI+WhitePaper+Sept2024
"With the intent to help gain a better understanding of the place of AI literacy in information literacy instruction at academic libraries, Choice and its technology content channel, LibTech Insights, with generous underwriting by Taylor and Francis, have created the White Paper ... This white paper reports on interviews with instruction librarians about AI literacy. From the analysis of the interviews, we will identify the main themes and concerns related to AI for academic libraries and develop a robust framework for AI literacy."
Image created by Sheila Webber using Midjourney and the prompt: empowered librarians in a forest watercolour style. I've given up on using AI as a prompt since it is difficult to avoid robot heads

New articles: Latin America; Misinformation; Mindfulness; Critical evaluation; AI & #infolit frameworks; #infolit for English students

The latest issue of open access Journal of Information Literacy Vol. 18 No. 2 (2024) includes:
- Past, present and future of information literacy in Latin America by Alejandro Uribe-Tirado, Juan D. Machin-Mastromatteo
- A mindfulness-based information literacy framework for the current information environment by Matthew N. Hannah, Jennifer Hoewe, Hanna Sistek, Taeik Kim, Dan Goldwasser
- Chaos creator: Misinformation inoculation in information literacy instruction by Mandi Goodsett
- Cultivating critical information evaluation through motivational confidence: An exploratory crosswalk analysis by Samantha LeGrand, Victoria Dawkins
- The early development of information literacy instruction for young people as revealed by six volumes by Andrew Shenton
- Integrating basic artificial intelligence literacy with media and information literacy in higher education by Miriam Wanjiku Ndungu
- Three shots are better than one: Establishing and evaluating the English library instruction pilot by Amy McLay Paterson, Benjamin Mitchell, Stirling Prentice, Elizabeth Rennie
Go to https://journals.cilip.org.uk/jil/issue/view/50
Photo by Sheila Webber: Botanic Gardens, October 2024

Webinar: New Voices in Information Literacy Research

A free webinar on 13 December 2024 14.00-15.30 GMT is New Voices in Information Literacy Research https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cilipinformationliteracygroup/1484265 in which "four recent graduates (from UCL and City St George’s, University of London [UK]) talk about their MA dissertation research". The speakers are:
- Katherine Gair (UCL): "Just get on, learn it yourself": the enablers and barriers to developing workplace information literacy for further education librarians.
- Amelia Haire (UCL): What does it mean to be information literate for an autistic person in the academic library workplace? (UCL)
- Mairead Lane (City St George's, University of London): To what extent should members of staff in public libraries be digitally literate?
- Veselka Todorova (City St George's, University of London): Everyday Life Information Seeking Behaviour of Bulgarian Residents in UK
It is moderated by Jane Secker and Alison Hicks
Photo by Sheila Webber: autumn leaves captured by light, November 2024

Insights from digital content creators; understanding their intentions, practices and challenges

UNESCO has published interesting research into content creators' information sharing practices. 500 adult content creators from around the worldanswered a questionnaire (in 8 languages) and 20 people were interviewed ("qualified UNESCO contacts, or members of professional journalist organisations who also filled out the survey). Content creators are defined "as individuals who regularly post content online for public consumption and have more than 1,000 followers". This is part of UNESCO's strategy of developing influencers' Media and Information Literacy.
Some findings are:
- "‘popularity’ – measured by the number of likes and views - is the most common indicator of credibility for online sources (42%)." Second most common was judging through the endorsement by people the content creators trusted.
- Motivation to create content: Most popular were sharing knowledge with others (26%); earning income (23.8%); entertaining others (23.4%).
- 62% did not verify accuracy of information before sharing it
- Where the content creators sources information: Personal experience/encounter was the most frequent at 58.1%. Mainstream news media ties with online non-mainstream media sources as the third most common source at. They mostly don't use official sources
- About 85% do not belong to any creators’ association.If they do, the most common are Online Creators Association (17.2%), DigitalCreators Association (15.6%), Web Content Creators Association (13.4%) and International Content Creator Association for Social Media (13.4%). I must say that I wasn't aware of any of these! As a content creator (since I do have nearly 2000 followers on X, at least at the moment...) perhaps I should join one!
Reference: Ha, L. (2024). Behind the screens: insights from digital content creators; understanding their intentions, practices and challenges. UNESCO. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000392006

Bluesky starter pack for #infolit and a guide

Firstly there's a Bluesky Starter pack focused on information literacy and information skills for students and citizens from Paul Jewell (that's a list Paul's created of "librarians, educators, researchers, students and community members" interested in #infolit and with Bluesky accounts. I was going to start a pack with this focus, but I think it's better to create suggestions for this exisiting one! Go to  https://bsky.app/starter-pack/pauljewell.bsky.social/3lbb7unb54o2h
Secondly, Ned Potter has an extended blogpost with advice for academic libraries using Bluesky. Go here https://www.ned-potter.com/blog/bluesky-for-academic-libraries One thing I noticed was that he recommends not posting first thing in the morning (UK time), whereas I found that something like 9.30am was good for picking up attention from UK people on X/Twitter. I will be pondering this, as to pick up attention from those in North America a later time is useful anyway.
Photo by Sheila Webber: Squirrel on stump, 1, November 2024

Online advent calendars

Not strictly information literacy, but librarianly (compiled by, or for, librarians):
- Women's studies and women's history Advent Calendar: https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=nt1kee5497mdo9efkzij7kqyil69xnum
- CILIP School Libraries Group Advent calendar (a recommended book per day) https://app.myadvent.net/calendar?id=yxr784ji6mvs3vhdcjuc5h4cbygrsfhg&door=0
- Library and Archives of the Institution of Civil Engineers Advent Calendar: https://app.myadvent.net/calendar?id=0v1xjxvptrj54dl1qnq0axltd5ufk2dt
Please comment if you know of others!
Also, the UK's Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has packets of braille stickers for physical-world advent calendars, to make them more accessible https://shop.rnib.org.uk/braille-advent-calendar-stickers-94913
Photo by SheilaWebber, taken in the 3D world Second Life: advent calendar; day one contained a jacket and jeans - in a virtual world an advent calendar can contain houses, plants and outfits!

Beyond the Shelves podcast: Liberating #infolit and AI Literacy

The International Association of University Libraries's (IATUL) podcast, Beyond the Shelves, focused in its 1st episode on Lliberating information literacy (with Alanna Ross, Vicky Grant and Emily Drabinski, September 2024) and in its third on Critical AI Literacy (with Alanna Ross, Vicky Grant, and Maha Bali, November 2024).
Go to https://open.spotify.com/show/5vWkywL3aLH2ctD2j0tqgr
If you want to find out more about the Liberating IL project, there is a paper Information, digtal and media literacy for active global citizenship: the liberating information literacy project at https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?filename=0&article=2348&context=iatul&type=additional and a presentation at https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1020&context=iatul2023
Photo by Sheila Webber: autumn I think gingko) leaves, November 2024

New(ish) articles: TikTok teachers; Offline learning for online learners; Accessibility; Education and social media; MOOCs

The latest volume of the open-access Journal of Interactive Media Education (2024 - Issue 1) has a particular focus on social media and higher education, and on MOOCs. Examples include:
- Lines of Flight: The Digital Fragmenting of Educational Networks by Apostolos Koutropoulos et al.
- Understanding Accessibility in MOOCs: Findings and Recommendations for Future Designs by Francisco Iniesto, Covadonga Rodrigo
- The Importance of Offline Options for Online Learners by Rebecca Ferguson, Leigh-Anne Perryman, Simon J. Ball
- Equitable Access to Higher Education Learning and Assessment: Perspectives from Low-Resource Contexts by Saraswati Dawadi, Fereshte Goshtasbpour, Agnes Kukulska-Hulme
- Beyond Boundaries: The Role of Learning Types in Shaping MOOC Learner Engagement and Progression by Hannah John, John Kerr, Guillaume Andrieux.
The volume has built up over the year, with articles added between February and September
Go to https://jime.open.ac.uk/collections/the-legacy-of-moocs
Photo by Sheila Webber: a command, Blackheath, November 2024

#infolit in the disciplines

ACRL's Information Literacy in the Disciplines guide contains "links and citations to information literacy standards and curricula developed by accrediting agencies, professional associations, and institutions of higher education. Resources listed were identified by ... contacting accrediting agencies, conducting literature reviews, and searching the web."
I've mentioned this guide before, but not for ages, and it is useful if you are exploring IL in any specific academic discipline (although it has a North American focus in terms of accreditation standards etc.)
Go to https://acrl.libguides.com/IS/informationliteracyinthedisciplines They are keen to get some feedback for improvements and additions - there is a survey form linked at the bottom of the home page.
Photo by Sheila Webber: autumn leaves on cars, 5, November 2024

Call for nominations: Annual Best Publication Award

There is a call for nominations (implied is self-nomination) for the Institute for Information Literacy (Purdue University, USA) Annual Best Publication Award.  The deadline for nominations is 31 December 2024. Publications may include journal articles, book chapters, and published proceedings, and should have been published in 2024.
"Researchers, educators, and practitioners with recent publications exploring and expanding the role of information literacy in navigating societal information challenges are eligible" The award consists of a US $1,000 award to extend their research, being featured as an invited speaker at the Institute’s annual ID:EALS symposium, and being invited to serve on next year’s Best Publication Award committee.
"The Institute’s Best Publication Award highlights excellence in information literacy scholarship that 1) justifies the relevance of an information challenge, 2) demonstrates development or enhancement of information literacy models or techniques, and 3) supports individuals, communities, or organizations in using information wisely or combating the misuse of information."
More info at  https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSz9q7Fms6chX6JMLdk6c0vsemlJB9TlH0C2XVQE7IK1KDxY_pYCGnI_JMaUAJgQ3eN7gIRlJnJZ3bH/pub?urp=gmail_link

Call for papers: 9th European Conference on Information Literacy (ECIL)

The Call for Papers for the 9th European Conference on Information Literacy (ECIL), to be held in-person 22-25 September 2025 in Bamberg, Germany, is open. Deadline for submissions is 3 February 2025. It is organised by the Department of Information Management of Hacettepe University (Turkey), Department of Information and Communication Sciences of Zagreb University (Croatia) and the Information Literacy Association.
The main theme is Information Literacy in an AI-driven World, but in fact any topic related to Information Literacy is relevant. In my view ECIL is the key international information literacy conference.
"ECIL aims to bring together researchers, information professionals, media specialists, educators, policy makers and all other related parties from around the world to exchange knowledge and experience and discuss recent developments and current challenges in both theory and practice." Options for submissions are: full papers, posters, PechaKucha, best practices, workshops, panels and a doctoral forum.
For more information go to: http://ecil2025.ilconf.org

Developing #AI Literacy with people who have low or no #digital skills

A report from the Good Things Foundation, published in October 2024, is Developing AI Literacy With People Who Have Low Or No Digital Skills. They spoke to 18 UK community organisations and 38 people receiving support in digital skills, and list advice about how to support those with low digital skills to engage with AI effectively.
The report includes a diagram showing AI Literacy underpinned by Media Literacy and Digital Literacy
AI Literacy "Understanding of AI outputs: Recognise AI content and know the risks linked to AI generated content; Make greater use of AI tools to make life easier. Application of AI safety and responsibly for simple tasks e.g.drafting a letter, simplifying information. Awareness and safe use of AI integrated tools e.g. in search functions and chatbots."
Media Literacy "Know how to use and interpret online tools and content: Keeping yourself safe online, protecting your mental health and knowing how to assess the variety of online informaiton. Keep yourself safe online Managing online safety, privacy and protection from harm. Understanding that not all information online can be trusted."
Digital Literacy "Essential Digital Skills for Life and Work: Having the digital skills to communicate, handling information, transacting, problem solving, being safe and legal online."
Go to https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/policy-and-research/research-and-evidence/research-2024/ai-literacyPhoto by Sheila Webber: autumn leaves on a bench, October 2024

New articles: AI and information literacy; Norwegian network; Strategic partnership

The latest IFLA Information Literacy Section Newsletter (Winter 2024) is available. It includes short articles from contributors in USA, Switzerland, Vietnam, Malaysia and Norway, all of which are interesting. Several of them discuss initiatives to do with AI e.g. Coffee Lecture: Critical Evaluation of AI-generated Information by Lukas Tschopp.
Also there is an article about NANUB: The National Network for Information Literacy Instruction in Academic Libraries in Norway (that website is in Norwegian, obviously).
Go here for the newsletter https://repository.ifla.org/handle/20.500.14598/3636
Photo by Sheila Webber: autumn, reflected, October 2024

Recording: Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest: Information through Libraries

The recording of the 2024 IFLA ILS & SLS Joint Global MIL Week Webinar (28 October 2024),The New Digital Frontiers of Information: Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest: Information through Libraries is available on their Youtube channel.
The speakers were Damiano Orrù (University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy), Rebecca Morris (University of Pittsburgh, USA) and Leen d'Haenens (KU Leuven, Belgium).
The recording is here: https://youtu.be/Qbf8jjnR7OM?si=yLOnLnY-uIrpYiL0
Photo by Sheila Webber: view from my front door yesterday, November 2024

Webinar: Building a National Alliance for Media and Information Literacy

This free webinar was due to take place on 31 October, but is now rescheduled to 21 November 2024 at 17.00-18.30 GMT. Building a National Alliance for Media and Information Literacy is organised by  UK's Media and Information Literacy Alliance
"In this webinar, we will share our experience, in the UK, of developing a national initiative to advocate for media and information literacy (MIL), encourage capacity-building and help to build the MIL evidence base."
"The webinar will be introduced by a panel of MILA’s trustees. We will address the challenges of raising awareness of MIL across society, not least among policymakers and educationalists; and of fostering collaborations between the different players that have an interest in MIL and associated literacies."
Go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/building-a-national-alliance-for-media-and-information-literacy-tickets-1082392096899?

California Conference on Library Instruction: extended deadline

There is a call for proposals for the California Conference on Library Instruction, taking place in-person on 30 May 2025 in Cal State Monterey Bay, USA. Deadline for proposals is 2 December 2024. The theme is Making the Invisible Visible.
"CCLI invites you to share your instructional philosophies, teaching interventions, and strategies that make the invisible processes or structures visible to students, faculty, and the higher education community and support their curiosity and ability to navigate the challenges they face as students, scholars, and life-long learners.
"In our highly adaptive librarian roles, we are uniquely positioned to make the invisible more visible to students, faculty, and administration. We demystify hidden curriculum for students from different information privileges and backgrounds. We unpack and deconstruct the research process and make it accessible. Together, we explore the challenges inherent in emerging technologies, such as generative AI and algorithms. With the insights we draw from these vantage points, we are able to respond to and advocate for diverse needs and address these in the teaching environments we create, be they in person, online or through learning objects."
More info at http://www.cclibinstruction.org/

Call for papers for Critical Approaches to Libraries Conference 2025 #CALC25

There is a second and final call for papers for the Critical Approaches to Libraries Conference 2025, taking place online 14-15- May 2025. This is an open call for papers so anyone can submit a proposal. Deadline for proposals is 28 November 2024.
"We welcome research, discussions, exchanges of experience and project reports. If you or your library have work or perspectives to share around equity, decolonisation, critical information literacy, working with underrepresented or marginalised communities or anything else relating to critical practice we'd love to hear about it."
More info at https://sites.google.com/view/calcconference/call-for-papers and the submission form is at https://forms.gle/7QtLRjr1z3MEJtvx8
Photo by Sheila Webber: autumn leaves on cars, 4, November 2024

Online course: Digital Content Creators and Journalists: How to Be a Trusted Voice Online

You can register for UNESCO's free online course: Digital Content Creators and Journalists: How to Be a Trusted Voice Online. It starts on 18 November 2024. " Developed in partnership with The Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas, the 4-week self-paced course will equip digital content creators and journalists with essential skills and knowledge to navigate digital challenges, communicate professionally, and advocate for transparent, human rights-based online practices." The idea is to make digital content creators (such as influencers) be more thoughtful about the information they share.
Register for the course in English https://journalismcourses.org/product/digital-content-creators-and-journalists-how-to-be-a-trusted-voice-online/
- In French https://journalismcourses.org/product/createurs-de-contenu-en-ligne-et-journalistes-comment-devenir-une-voix-de-confiance-sur-internet/
- In Spanish https://journalismcourses.org/product/creadores-de-contenido-digital-y-periodistas-como-ser-una-voz-confiable-en-internet/
– In Portuguese https://journalismcourses.org/product/criadores-de-conteudo-digital-e-jornalistas-como-ser-uma-voz-confiavel-online/ 

New articles: Dictionary literacy; enhancing student information literacy; IL and project work

Bothma, T.J.D. and Fourie, I. (2024). Contextualised dictionary literacy, information literacy and information behaviour in the e-environment. Library Management, [early online publication] https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-08-2023-0082
Basing their discussion on a scoping review of the literature, the authors focus on "the importance of e-dictionaries, the meanings of information literacy and dictionary literacy, the complexity of e-dictionary literacy, the recognition of the importance of context in using dictionaries from an information behaviour perspective, examples of the use of dictionaries, and taking into account both the context of the user and the context in which the specific word or phrase occurs in a text, as well as the skills needed" 

Prabowo, T.T., Sitthiworachart, J., Hong, J.C. and Joy, M. (2024). Problem-based learning with library e-resources to enhance student information literacy self-efficacy. Library Management, 45(8/9), 564-580. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-07-2023-0061
They investigated "the effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL) in information literacy curricula using library e-resources to enhance information literacy self-efficacy (ILSE) of students in two universities in Indonesia, in Java Island (University A) and Sumatra Island (University B)" through pre and post tests. "The results show that the treatment enhanced ILSE effectively. After the treatment, University A students [who had received the teaching] performed better than those at University B [who hadn't received the teaching]." 

Albarracin Aparicio, R. A., & Boitano Montaño, S. D. (2024). Alfabetización informacional y calidad de proyectos de investigación en Escuela ISIL (Lima, Perú). Investigación Bibliotecológica: Archivonomía, bibliotecología E información, 38(101), 73–90. https://doi.org/10.22201/iibi.24488321xe.2024.101.58883 (Spanish language)
This was a quasi experimental study that aimed to show the impact of information literacy education on the quality of project work, undertaken in Peru
Photo by Sheila Webber: autumn leaves on cars, 3, November 2024

Tips and Trends: Libguides

Latest in the Tips and Trends series from ACRL is Tips and Trends: Optimize Your Guides: Creating and Maintaining User-Friendly LibGuides As usual this is a a short publication of a few pages, which concisely explains what Libguides are, current uses in libraries and Higher Education, and potential problems. There are links to articles and a couple of other resources at the end.
The web version is here and the pdf is here.
Photo by Sheila Webber: autumn leaf on car, 2, November 2024

Webinar: Health Literacy and Young Adults

Emporia State University  presents a free webinar, Health Literacy and Young Adults, on 19 November 2024 at 13.00 US Central time (which is 19.00 UK time). Speakers are:  Lesley Farmer, Jill R. Kavanaugh, Shawn Steidinger, Deborah H. Charbonneau and Emily Vardell.
"This webinar will explore opportunities for public and school librarians to support the health literacy of young adults. A panel of experts will seek to equip librarians with the information and tools they need to be responsive to the varied health information needs and literacy levels of individuals in their communities. By understanding the health information needs and behaviors of adolescents and young adults (AYA), librarians can be more effective in supporting AYA’s health. Librarians are uniquely positioned to advocate for easy-to-read materials, design and deliver information literacy instruction about combating online misinformation, and optimize their effectiveness by partnering with community experts to provide appropriate health-related resources, services, and programs. The evidence-based, practical approaches discussed in this webinar are designed to help build capacity for health literacy work in public libraries, with a focus on supporting young adults’ health information needs."
Register at: https://emporiastate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpcO6rpjIsHdIQaU4slI37HipzwDiway8N#/registration

Photo by Sheila Webber: autumn leaf on car, November 2024

News: Libguides; STEM students

The latest Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Instruction Section newsletter is available (volume 41 number 2). The 7-page newsletter includes useful news and links and also some (very) short articles:
- No more slide decks!: A case study on using LibGuides as active learning materials in the library classroom by Liana Bayne-Lin (Science & Math Librarian, James Madison University, USA)
- From Guidelines to Rubrics: Evaluating LibGuides Towards Sustainable Maintenance by Emily Espanol (Research and Learning Librarian, Roseman University of Health Sciences, USA)
- Creating Holistic Research Mapping Exercise for STEM Students by Kathryn E. Shenk (Science & Math Librarian, James Madison University, USA)
- Summary of the Applied AI in Information Literacy Webinar by Mallory Jallas on behalf of the Virtual Engagement IS Committee
Go to https://acrl.ala.org/IS/wp-content/uploads/ISFall2024Newsletter.pdf
Photo by Sheila Webber: 2 red devil apples from my tree, October 2024

Institute for Research Design in Librarianship Online Research Conference

This conference, taking place online 18-19 November 2024 is free, but you need to register as there is an attendance cap of 300 people per day. You need to register for both days, if you want to attend both days. The Institute for Research Design in Librarianship Online Research Conference is at 9.00-14.00 (US Pacific time) which is e.g. 17.00-midnight GMT (UK time).  "The conference is the first research methods-focused conference of its kind in the United States and will offer a friendly and inclusive environment to increase participants' understanding of methodologies and research in practice. During an engaging two days, participants will have opportunities to share their current research, reflect on research challenges and enjoy a variety of seminars and hands on practice sessions with some of the most inventive researchers in the field."
Day 1: https://lmula.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqceiupjwoGtLwLclf0EzOEYWsR5xv3AbR
Day 2: https://lmula.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwucOyrpzkqHtRXXvvAq5oWUGyNrHTaKICn 
The conference website with the full programme is here: https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/irdlconference/2024/
Photo by Sheila Webber: remembering Halloween, November 2024

#LILAC2025 conference bursaries

Applications are open for bursaries for the LILAC 2025 (information literacy) conference taking place in-person 14–16 April 2025 at Cardiff University, Wales. To apply for a bursary, you must be a librarian, volunteer, or information professional working in the UK. Applications close on 22 November 2024 at 17.00 GMT. There are two kinds of bursary.
- LILAC Bursaries. There are 5 free places for people in the following under-represented groups in the UK: Ethnic minority backgrounds; School libraries; Further Education; Public libraries; Health libraries (e.g. NHS – please note; librarians working in Higher Education who support health subjects are not eligible to apply). The bursary includes three days at the conference and social events. They also include up to £250 in expenses for reasonable travel and accommodation.
- Local to LILAC Bursaries. There are 6 bursaries. "These bursaries are day delegate places, and we are offering two places for each day of the three-day conference. ... intended for people who live or work near to the LILAC venue, to have the chance to attend a day at LILAC and experience what the conference offers. Each of the six bursaries will involve a free day place to one day of the conference and £50 for reasonable travel expenses. " They include food/refreshments on the day, but not social events.
For more details go to https://www.lilacconference.com/lilac-2025/bursaries-1

Webinar 7 November: Transforming Our Teaching and Research Practices through Epistemic Justice

The Meaningful Inquiry team at Ohio State, USA has organised a free webinar Reconstructing the Academy: Transforming Our Teaching and Research Practices through Epistemic Justice on 7 November 2024, at 12:00-1:00 pm (US Eastern time, which is e.g. 17.00-18.00 UK time  GMT). 
Speakers are: Heather Campbell and Ashley McKeown. "This workshop invites faculty and librarians to explore the concept of epistemic justice, a practice that demands equal respect for diverse knowledge systems, decentering Euro-westernized academic research. While many diversity and inclusion initiatives focus on representation, epistemic justice goes deeper, asking us to rethink who we consider knowledgeable and why. Together, we will explore pragmatic tools for embedding an epistemic justice lens into undergraduate and graduate curricula, and how we might redefine approaches to knowledge creation."
To register & to get more details on speakers: https://go.osu.edu/miepistemicjustice
Photo by Sheila Webber: Autumn colours in the Botanic Gardens, October 2024

Call for proposals: LOEX 2025: Crafting a Future for Information Literacy

There is a call for breakout session proposals for the USA's major information literacy conference, LOEX, taking place 15-17 May 2025 in Pasadena, California, USA. The theme is Crafting a Future for Information Literacy. Deadline for proposals is 2 December 2024.
"How does library instruction intersect with creativity, design, and futurism?... We invite you to join fellow practitioners in sharing your designs, collaborations, innovations, and inspirations. This year's LOEX proposal tracks are:
- "Collaboration and Outreach: Stitching Us Together
- "Research and Assessment: Shaping Our Practice
- "Advocacy and Justice: Paving Our Path
- "Frontiers and Innovation: Forging Our Future
- "Teaching and Learning: Honing Our Craft
- "Stewardship and Leadership: Weaving Our Strengths"
You can propose 50-minute presentations and interactive workshops.
More info at https://www.loexconference.org/breakout-proposals/

Amman declaration on strengthening media and information literacy #GlobalMILweek

The Global Media and Information Literacy week feature conference, which took place in Jordam 30-31 October 2024, produced the Amman declaration on strengthening media and information literacy to advance public-interest information in the digital age which claims to be currently available in Arabic and English, but at the moment both links lead to the English version. The English version is here. The page with the links is here, and hopefully the faulty Arabic link will be corrected shortly.
After a 2 page preamble there are commitments and recommendations for governments, for UNESCO and other intergovernmental organizations, for Digital platforms and technology companies, and for Civil society, media, youth, academic institutions and researchers.
The recommendations for governments include "ENACT robust national and regional media and information literacy policies and strategies to sustain media and information literacy for all; allocate resources to advance implementation, ensuring inclusive and multistakeholder engagement; and integrate media and information literacy in upskilling programmes, national development priorities, governance processes;" "SUPPORT the integration of media and information literacy into formal and non-formal education systems and life-long learning, empowering learners and educators to critically assess digital content;"
The recommendations for UNESCO etc. include "PROMOTE cooperation on media and information literacy among United Nations Agencies/Funds/Programmes and regional and international intergovernmental bodies in line with Para 35 of the Global Digital Compact of the Pact for the Future;"
The recommendations for digital platforms include: "PROVIDE users and content creators with tools and resources, developed in partnership with multistakeholder groups and based on established standards, to enhance media and information literacy as critical thinking skills, including flagging AIgenerated content, and implementing content moderation systems that are inclusive and free from bias;"
The recommendations for Civil Society organisations include "LAUNCH initiatives that promote media and information literacy beyond formal education systems, and specifically among youth, marginalized communities and elderly persons, empowering them with the skills to be informed creators and discerning consumers of digital content"
There are also recommendations specifically to do with MIL in crisis situations, as well as ones to do with MIL cities.

Recording of Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information through Libraries

There is a recording of IFLA MIL Week Webinar The New Digital Frontiers of Information: Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information through Libraries held on October 28 2024. There were speakers from Belgium, Italy and the USA.
Find it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qbf8jjnR7OM
Image created by Sheila Webber using Midjourney AI, October 2024

UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Cities guidelines launched #GlobalMILweek #MILcities #MILCLICKS

UNESCO has today launched Operational guidelines: constructing UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Cities. It starts by saying "Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is essential for navigating today’s complex information landscape. Media and Information Literacy skills directly support the right to information and freedom of expression, whilst also empowering individuals with the skills needed to combat disinformation, hate speech, social exclusion, and racism."
There is a table of 10 MIL Cities stakeholder groups and their potential actions. The 10th "others" group is "families, libraries, community centers, and NGOs among others" and it notes that "Libraries serve as accessible hubs for information and learning, providing resources and programmes that enhance MIL among citizens. Librarians, with their expertise in information management and dissemination, act as facilitators and educators, guiding individuals in navigating the complex information ecosystem."
There is a short statement on how MIL cities can support human rights. There are some short paragraphs giving examples of MIL cities around the world some mentioning libraries e.g. "The city of Gothenburg has been active in promoting Media and Information Literacy, especially through its public libraries. The city’s libraries offer a range of programmes and workshops aimed at enhancing citizens’ information literacy and critical thinking skills".
There is a table showing connections with other UNESCO cities initiatives e.g. Creative cities. Then there are few final pages laying out steps for developing and monitoing a MIL city. I haven't had time to compare this document with the previous UNESCO MIL Cities guidelines, but it does look as though it has built on that publication.
You can download the publication here https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000391748

Day 2 of #GlobalMILweek feature conference streaming

Today (31st October) is the second and final day of the UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy Week feature conference, taking place in Jordan. It starts at 9.00 (Jordan time, which is, for example 6.00 in the UK, 7.00 Paris time) and the programme is here https://www.unesco.org/en/weeks/media-information-literacy-2024/programme?hub=66833
You can again watch the conference on Youtube
- In English here: https://www.youtube.com/live/7YuujfROZVI?si=CdpJ-o3TzFcmvIaN
- In Arabic here: https://www.youtube.com/live/BDB_lXxCPe4?si=57QRmpnd-oEC6vd6
- In French here: https://www.youtube.com/live/Mh4MqhBhUNQ?si=zvop8fLAKQNgL29Z

Day 1 of #GlobalMILweek feature conference streaming

Today (30th October) is the first day of the UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy Week feature conference, taking place in Jordan. It starts at 9.15 (Jordan time, which is, for example 6.15 in the UK, 7.15 Paris time) and the programme is here https://www.unesco.org/en/weeks/media-information-literacy-2024/programme?hub=66833 You can watch the conference on Youtube
- In English here: https://www.youtube.com/live/PlTWPOEamwI
- In Arabic here: https://www.youtube.com/live/rcmxSrqpnH8
- In French here: https://www.youtube.com/live/O6L8meE16lc

Tech Talk: Analyzing the Media Landscape & Generative AI's Impact on Knowledge Diversity #GlobalMILweek

IT Girls Rock (STEAM Engine Global) have organised a free webinar Tech Talk: Analyzing the Media Landscape & Generative AI's Impact on Knowledge Diversity which is running twice, to suit people in different time zones:
Session 1: USA/Australia/Asia friendly: 29 Oct at 7pm US EST, 4pm US PST; 30 Oct at 7am Australian WST, 9am AEST.
Session 2: Wed 30 Oct at 7pm AWST, 9pm AEST; Wed 30 Oct at 12pm GMT+1 (so 11am UK time); 30 Oct at 7am EST (however at the moment it seems like you can only register for session 1. Perhaps the same ticket works for both)
"Join us for an engaging event where we critically examine who writes the stories of tech—exploring the diversity of sources, authorship, and representation across gender, age, culture, race, and ability. In this interactive session, we'll assess news and media coverage of technology, diving into the impact of underrepresentation and imbalances in media voices. We'll also explore the growing influence of Generative AI and the "blind" use of these tools in creating content. Does AI help or hinder diversity in knowledge sharing? What are the risks and opportunities of relying on AI-generated media, and how can we ensure inclusive perspectives are maintained? Together, we’ll uncover solutions for creating a more balanced and diverse digital landscape."
https://events.humanitix.com/tech-talk-analyzing-the-media-landscape-and-generative-ai-s-impact-on-knowledge-diversity-unesco

Rights of older people #GlobalMILweek

A Spanish-lanuage news release that caught my attention is from the Plataforma de Mayores y Pensionistas (Platform for pensioners and older people). This seems to be an interesting association, bringing together Spanish organisations supporting older people's rights. For Global Media and Information Literacy week they call upon local and national government to support and educate older people to combat disinformation https://www.pmp.org.es/actualidad/noticias/la-pmp-insta-al-gobierno-realizar-un-mayor-esfuerzo-en-materia-de-formacion-y
Photo from the age-positive image library of the Centre for Ageing Better