New articles: Information Behaviour - health; older people; cavers; emotions; communication; Science reporting

The last couple of issues of Journal of Documentation include the following (subscription publication):
- Delellis, N.S. & Rubin, V.L. (2026). The potential impact of concussions on information behaviour. Journal of Documentation,82(4), 1021–1041. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-10-2025-0304 (From the abstract) "This literature review highlights a gap in evaluating how concussion symptoms could disrupt IB and theorizes how persistent concussion symptoms (PCS) such as physical impairments (visual and auditory) and cognitive impairments (deficits in memory, attention and processing speed) could impact IB. Potential IB disruptions are theorized using Kuhlthau’s (1991) Information Search Process Model. Library supports for conditions with similar physical and cognitive impairments are reviewed to theorize possible approaches that could be of benefit for individuals with PCS." 
- Wang, F. & Yue, Z. (2026). Understanding the information practice of elderly people in social welfare access: a perspective of policy information reach. Journal of Documentation, 82(4), 1064–1095. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-10-2025-0298 
- Buchanan, S. (2026). The role of health information behaviour research for informing health communication: exploring and mapping connections and impact pathways. Journal of Documentation, 82(3), 640–656. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-08-2025-0237 
- Anqi, W., Arina Anis, A., Emma, M., Chenglin, Z., Yilian, M., Yihan, Q., & Yunyao, L. (2026). Emotions affecting motivation and information behavior in problem solving: a systematic literature review. Journal of Documentation, 82(3), 497–507. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-05-2025-0146 
- Beaton, T.L.S. & Allison-Cassin, S. (2026). Following the guideline: an investigation into the information-seeking behaviors of “serious leisure” technical cave divers. Journal of Documentation, 82(3), 567–587. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-08-2025-0231 
- Iwaniec-Thompson, M., Sormanen, N., Thelwall, M. & Holmberg, K. (2026). "We do the best we can with the information we have” Science reporting referencing retracted papers in the UK and Finland. Journal of Documentation, 82(3), 624–639. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-01-2026-0009
Photo by Sheila Webber: at the BBC Proms, August 2026

GAIN: Generative AI literacy and kNowledge Framework Project Report

A report from some of my colleagues here at Sheffield University School of Information, Journalism and Communication, together with authors from the University of Cape Town: 
Cannizzaro, S., Abbott, P., Brooks, L., Mfengu, A., Raju, R. & Wagg, S. (2026). GAIN: Generative AI literacy and kNowledge Framework Project Report. https://doi.org/10.15131/shef.data.32336400
"In this report we present the results of a review-based study of AI literacy guidelines from a select number of British and South African Universities. The objective of this project was to conduct an initial exploration of AI literacy guidelines from an equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) perspective across a wide spectrum of institutions in the two aforementioned contexts (UK and South Africa), establishing a foundation for a more systematic and inclusive integration of these principles within broader HEI GenAI policy guidelines. In the report, we provide some observations about distribution patterns of the guidelines across the UK and South Africa, and an outline of the extent to which GenAI literacy training frameworks appear to have incorporated principles around EDI"
Photo by Sheila Webber: fallen cherry blossoms, April 2026

Critical AI

I haven't explored it fully, but there is interesting material on Olivia Guest's Critical AI site: papers, blog posts and videos, and some nice summaries of a few key projects at the foot of the page. Guest co-authored the paper that I blogged a few weeks ago. 
The site includes a link to the Critical AI Literacy (CAIL) project site.  The outputs of that project all look interesting, but my eye was caught by one of the shorter ones entitled To Improve Literacy, Improve Equality in Education, Not Large Language Models. 
Go to https://olivia.science/ai/
Photo by Sheila Webber: the sky this morning

Recordings and presentations from #LILi (Lifelong Information Literacy) conference

The slides and recordings are available for the excellent LILi (Lifelong Information Literacy) conference that took place online in July 2026. The recording links (one recording for each day) are at the top of each day's page, and the slides are linked session by session. There were lots of interesting talks, with both practical examples and ideas to refelect on afterwards (also lively dialogue in chat), and it was one of those conferences that you are sorry has to end. The theme was Artificial Intelligence Meets Information Literacy: Challenges and Opportunities for the Future.
I did a talk at the start of day 2 I think you're talking about information literacy, which had four elements: Why am I not more excited about AI?; The overlap of Information Literacy and Generative AI; My approach to teaching and learning; Generative AI in Information Literacy education - example. I refer back to some of the talks that had been given on day 1 of the conference.
Go to https://lili.libguides.com/lili2026conference/Schedule for the links (the first day is displayed, click on the tab at the top for the 2nd day)

The Role of the Public Library in Combating Misinformation and Disinformation

Published in June 2026:
Buchanan, S. & McMenemy, D. (2026). The Role of the Public Library in Combating Misinformation and Disinformation: a Review and Action Plan Public report for Arts Council England. https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/research-and-data/our-research-library/role-public-library-combating-misinformation-and-disinformation-review-and-action-plan
They surveyed 372 public library staff in England "to explore how staff understand, experience, and respond to mis/disinformation in their communities, and what support they need to fulfil their civic role" "Our findings highlight that public libraries in England are staffed by an educated and motivated workforce well-positioned to address mis/disinformation, but that most staff are equipped with little more than intent due to various infrastructure limitations."
They make 4 recommendations
"1. A national programme of library staff education and training to address mis/disinformation.
"2. A national open access repository of library resources for addressing mis/disinformation.
"3. A national partnership agreement for addressing mis/disinformation.
"4. National library policy and operational guidance for addressing mis/disinformation."

There is a commentary on this from the UK's Information Literacy Group
Gill, S. (2026, July 23). Combating Misinformation and Disinformation in our Public Libraries – an Information Literacy Group perspective. https://infolit.org.uk/combating-misinformation-and-disinformation-in-our-public-libraries-an-information-literacy-group-perspective/
Photo by Sheila Webber: giant rhubarb leaf, July 2026

New articles: Assessment; Medical students; AI and primary source literacies; Critical infolit; Everyday Life Information Seeking

The latest issue of open-access Communications in Information Literacy (vol 20 no. 1) is the first under the new editorial team. It comprises:
- Application of Information Literacy Skills to Everyday Life Information Seeking in College Students: Implications for Instruction by Stephanie Ward, Rachel Dineen, and Darren Ilett
- Assessment of Information Literacy Instruction in Reference: Applying VanScoy’s Conceptual and Procedural Framework in Practice by Vanessa Arce
- Exploring Information Literacy Skills, Attitudes, and Barriers Among Medical and Nursing Students in Bahrain: A Mixed-Methods Perspective by Asif Altaf, Suchita N. Dsilva, Simple Sibi Joseph, Fida Mukhtar, Muhammad Zeeshan, and Bindhu Nair
- "An Open Mind and a Critical Stance": A Content Analysis of Information Literacy Integration into a Course about Poverty and Discrimination by Ashley Shealy, C. Rebecca Oldham, Clay Oldham, and Tara L. Griffith
- Critical Information Literacy in Higher Education: An Evolution in Theory, Practice, and Assessment by Dan Williford
- Information Literacy Tutorials for High Enrollment Courses: An Iterative Design-Based Approach by Kimberly Casey and Rebekah Heleen
- The Spectrum of Authority: A New Approach to Teaching AI and Primary Source Literacies by Kristen Howard
- Research Matters: Problem-Setting: A Research Reflection Process by Merinda Kaye Hensley
Plus an editorial and a book review. Go to https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/comminfolit/vol20/iss1/
Photo by Sheila Webber: hydrangea in the park, July 2026

UNESCO - MIL in Lebanon and Kyrgystan - and hate speech

A couple of news releases from UNESCO reporting on Media and Information Literacy initiatives:
UNESCO. (2026, July 9). Walk Into Truth: Youth from South Lebanon Strengthen Critical Thinking and Media and Information Literacy. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/walk-truth-youth-south-lebanon-strengthen-critical-thinking-and-media-and-information-literacy

UNESCO. (July 23). Youth capacities in media and information literacy for peacebuilding enhanced in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/youth-capacities-media-and-information-literacy-peacebuilding-enhanced-osh-kyrgyzstan

Also a fairly recent publication:
Roksa-Zubcevic, A. (2026). Media and information literacy: combating hate speech in the digital age.  https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000398298?posInSet=1&queryId=0e9a466e-b510-4d4f-9c90-b17b7ecc3913
Photo by Sheila Webber: roses, July 2026

Digital Backlash & Digital Futures

A couple of recordings of talks organised by Edinburgh University's Centre for Research in Digtal Education.
- Ingrid Forsler: The Digital Backlash in Education: Panic, Politics, or Pedagogy?  This took place on 5 May 2026: https://www.de.ed.ac.uk/event/ingrid-forsler-digital-backlash-education-panic-politics-or-pedagogy?
- Professor Jen Ross's Inaugural Lecture: What does it take to make new digital futures for education? This took place on the 10 June 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYLMclUx908
Photo by Sheila Webber, of me in Second Life, June 2026. Jen Ross mentions SL in her talk (Edinburgh were very active in teh earlier days of SL)

AI Essentials for Academic Libraries

AI Essentials for Academic Libraries: Beyond the Basics is a free "bit sized" three part series that is sent to you via email. The three parts are:
Modular 1: Connecting Libraries to the AI ecosystem
Modular 2: Pedagogical Road for Teaching AI Literacy
Modular 3: How AI Is Creating Library workflow Efficiencies.
It is produced by Choice and Clarivate. 
There is more information and a registration form at https://www.choice360.org/ai-essentials-for-academic-libraries-beyond-the-basics/
Photo by Sheila Webber: in the Botanic Gardens, July 2026

Policy recommendations on disinformation and media literacy

Published in May 2026:
EAVI - European Association for Viewers Interests. (2026) Teachers 4.0 Digital Age: Policy recommendations on disinformation and media literacy for national and EU policymakers https://eavi.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Teachers-4.0_WP6_D.6.3.-Policy-Recommendations_EAVI.pdf
It is an output of Teachers 4.0 digital age project which includes in its aims "Development of a comprehensive curriculum that will guide teachers and educators in the ways they may teach their students the necessary skills to thrive in the digital age."
Photo by Sheila Webber: border in Botanical Gardens, July 2026

Recent articles: One-shots; Students and AI; Teaching referencing

The latest issue of the Journal of Academic Librarianship (vol 52 issue 4) includes the following (priced, unless it says they are open access):
 - Exploring alternative approaches to the one-shot by Elizabeth Borges, Faith Rusk (open access)
- Teaching citation in the age of generative AI: Rethinking research literacy, academic integrity, and epistemic responsibility by Dag Øivind Madsen, Emmanuel Sirimal Silva (open access)
- ‘I shouldn't be saying this’: Library-based student confessions about AI, cheating, and academic integrity by Sarah T. Zipf, Tiffany Petricini, Steve Borrelli
- University libraries in the age of generative AI: Perceptions and usage among students in developing countries by Bolaji David Oladokun, Diana Atuase, Gloria Tachie-Donkor, Tshepho Lydia Mosweu, Panorea Gaitanou
Go to https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/the-journal-of-academic-librarianship/vol/52/issue/4 
Photo by Sheila Webber taken in Second Life, July 2026

How children's health literacy can shape the future of global health

An interesting podcast on children's health literacy. It is the first in a series from Children for Health. Dr Lilanga Hasini Batawalage, CEO of Children for Health discusses How children's health literacy can shape the future of global health with Dr Gaya Gamhewage, Director of Communications at the World Health Organization. Topics include "Children’s health literacy and why it extends beyond access to information" and indeed ways in which information is communicated. 
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V067dqy5hnk
Photo by Sheila Webber: the black cat in the Botanics, July 2026

New books: Faculty and Librarian Partnerships

These books can be bought individually or as a set:
Dye-Reeves, A. & Watson, E. (Eds.) (2026). Faculty and Librarian Partnerships, Volume 1: Information Literacy and Faculty Empowerment. ACRL. Price US $85 (ALA Member $76.50). Item Number 979-8-89255-617-0 https://alastore.ala.org/faculty-and-librarian-partnerships-volume-1-information-literacy-and-faculty-empowerment?
Dye-Reeves, A. & Watson, E. (Eds.) (2026). Faculty and Librarian Partnerships, Volume 2: Customized Program Support. ACRL.  Price US $85 (ALA Member $76.50). Item Number 979-8-89255-367-4  https://alastore.ala.org/faculty-and-librarian-partnerships-volume-2-customized-program-support?
Photo by Sheila Webber: colourful border, July 2026

Contra Literacy-Laundering

Recently published: Ray, I.& Guest, O. (2026). Contra Literacy-Laundering: Mechanistic Critical AI Literacy. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21222978
"When technology companies offer teachers and students ‘AI training’ or promote ‘AI literacy,’ they are engaged in brand marketing, framed as a progressive, philanthropically fundable intervention. The literacy label locates the problem in users’ understanding rather than in systems’ design, and in doing so, displaces accountability from the companies that built and profit from these systems toward the educators and students who are expected to become fluent in them, and forecloses the prior question of whether fluency is the goal at all. The accommodation reflex, in its institutional form, makes un-training structurally unthinkable by presupposing integration as inevitable; a critical account of AI literacy, by contrast, is not primarily about how to use systems but whether, when, and under what conditions their use is warranted" 

Also interesting, thanks to Bill Johnston for just alerting me, is: Chow, A.R. (2026, February 19). The People vs. AI. Time. https://time.com/7377579/ai-data-centers-people-movement-cover/
Photo by Sheila Webber: hydrangea, July 2026

Webinar: Leveraging Librarian Faculty Partnerships to Demystify the Scholarly Conversation

There is a free webinar Leveraging Librarian Faculty Partnerships to Demystify the Scholarly Conversation on 28 July 2026 at 12noon US Eastern time (17.00 BST). Presenters are Kristina Bush (Library Experience Manager, Boston University Libraries, USA) & Maria Gapotchenko (Master Lecturer, Boston University Writing Program, USA) and the organisers are at Ohio State University, USA.
"The ACRL Information Literacy Frame of the Scholarly Conversation can often be tricky to teach, particularly to first-year undergraduates without much exposure to disciplinary fields and activities. Many of the associated knowledge practices and dispositions require decoding the hidden curriculum to understand the practice of scholarship."
"Through close partnership and collaboration, a librarian and Writing Program faculty member at Boston University have turned to the metaphor of the Burkean Parlor to demystify the concept of the scholarly conversation for undergraduate students embarking on their first research project. The presenters will share the Burkean Parlor activity and assignment they developed and student-created artifacts reflecting their learning. Participants will consider how they can incorporate this framing into their own instruction practice - whether as librarians or faculty - and how the activities might be adjusted depending on the depth of faculty-librarian collaboration."
Register at https://osu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8RMvyUE0T_qKFDoTtsZDPw#/registration
Photo by Sheila Webber: rose, Botanical Gardens, July 2026

#CALC26 Recordings available

Recordings of most of the sessions (i.e. the sessions where permission was given) are now available from the 6th Critical Approaches to Libraries Conference (CALC) which took place 12-14 May 2026. Thanks are given to the volunteers who transcribed the recordings. 
Slides, recordings and abstracts can be accessed here: https://sites.google.com/view/calcconference/calc2026. This is the Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@calcconference997/videos 
There is also an archive of previous conferences: https://sites.google.com/view/calcconference/past-conferences
Photo by Sheila Webber: poppy with bee, July 2026

New articles: Infolit and politics postgraduates; Sensory knowledge

The latest issue of Learning and Teaching (vol 19 issue 1) includes (open access): 
- Atkinson, D. & Thornton, S. (2026). Information literacy in the postgraduate Politics and International Relations classroom. Learning & Teaching, 19(1). 108-126. https://doi.org/10.3167/latiss.2026.190106 
A survey was administered to taught postgraduate (PGT) students studying Politics at a British and and Austrian univerity (this included students from other countries as well). In the conclusion the authors note limitations of the study, but say that "the main finding of this research is unambiguous: namely that, unless the students surveyed here were wholly unrepresentative of the wider population, we simply cannot assume that all – even most – PGT students can confidently manage, critically engage with, and use ethically any sources of information they might encounter. Where comparison with undergraduate students was possible, PGT students surveyed did generally suggest higher levels of information literacy but not by an overwhelming degree, and in some aspects – including awareness of any previous information literacy training – there was barely any difference at all. If this finding proves not to be a one-off, then this discovery has important implications for the ability (or not) of PGT students to deal with information in a sufficiently sophisticated manner to do well in their academic studies, particularly in a discipline such as Politics and International Relations. This conclusion would be striking enough in a world in which generative AI tools were not liberally available. That we now do live in such an environment only makes this finding even more concerning. As the authors argued even before this new information revolution kicked off, the discipline really does need to wake up and start to take information literacy seriously."

- Lane, K., Welch, C. & Miller, A. (2026). Music in the city : Teaching and learning through the senses. Learning & Teaching, 19(1). 108-126. https://doi.org/10.3167/latiss.2026.190102 (This discusses sensory knowledge) 
Photo by Sheila Webber: found allium seed head, July 2026

Media Literacy strategy

Ofcom (UK's communications watchdog) have published a mid-term evaluation of their Media Literacy strategy. 
"The evaluator commissioned by Ofcom [Bigger Picture Research] used evidence from a range of sources in this evaluation including 33 interviews with relevant stakeholders, and two surveys sent out to our Network of over 700 individuals or organisations." Sadly, libraries are only mentioned in one paragraph, and librarians not at all: though, to be fair, journalists aren't mentioned either. 
Go to https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/research-and-data/media-literacy-research/making-sense-of-media/media-literacy/mid-term-evaluation-of-ofcoms-3-year-media-literacy-strategy-2024-2027.pdf
Photo by Sheila Webber: this cat in the Botanical Gardens is probably not much bothered by Ofcom: July 2026

Webinar: Designing AI Literacy Workshops: Practical Strategies for Library Instruction

ACRL ULS Professional Development Committee has organised a free webinar on 22 July 2026 at 13.00-14.00 USA CST (19.00-20.00 BST): Designing AI Literacy Workshops: Practical Strategies for Library Instruction. It is presented by Victoria Antwi (Stetson University, USA).
"This webinar will guide participants through the process of designing and facilitating AI literacy sessions - either as stand-alone workshops or as components integrated within library instruction. Drawing on a tested three-part workshop series implemented at a university library and detailed in the presenter’s recently published book Evaluating AI-Generated Content: A Practical Guide for Educators and Librarians, the program will share practical lesson plans, sample activities, and frameworks aligned with the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines."
Register at https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_A-QiA3b_Q7eOQtEhd9wALg
Photo by Sheila Webber: summer grass, June 2026

Strengthening Europe through public libraries

A new report is:
OMC Group on the Role of Libraries. (2026). Strengthening Europe through public libraries: How sustained investment in public libraries and their multiple roles delivers social, cultural and democratic returns. European Union. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2766/1906144
"The OMC Group brought together 36 experts from 25 EU Member States, with input from non-EU countries including Georgia, Iceland, Moldova, Norway, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Kingdom." It includes summaries of national policy & strategy related to public libraries in the countries, and examples of "best practice". The Group emphasises "that it is vital for public libraries to be recognised by the EU, Member States and regional and local governments as essential services for which free access must be guaranteed. This right of access should be grounded in the European Pillar of Social Rights" and also that public libraries need to be supported by national policy.
A quick search showed that information literacy, or media and information literacy, was mentioned in a few of the national policy summaries (Lithuania, Slovenia, Latvia and Spain) and in some best practice examples. OMC= Open Method of Coordination, by the way.
A public library makerspace: Credit: Beth Filar Williams (2023, September 22) Rotterdam public library. https://flic.kr/p/2p4CyYY