Recording: Putting the New Standards for Distance and Online Learning Library Services in Action

A final ACRL recording for this week: of a webinar on 10 June 2024 organised by the ACRL Distance and Online Learning Section Standards Committee: Putting the New Standards for Distance and Online Learning Library Services in Action. This looked at the standards and how they were developed, the accompanying worksheet and the toolkit they have developed. The recording is at https://youtu.be/GoUiqpLg4uc?si=BC3gVVdMKeMancaY and embedded below (51 minutes).
The standards are at https://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/standardsdistancelearning and this is the toolkit https://acrl.ala.org/dols/standards-toolkit/ I will highlight the standard relating to information literacy "Research & Instruction Standard: The library provides reference, research support, consultation, and instruction to distance and online learning communities.
"Benchmarks The library:
"Ensures instruction methods are supported by the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education.
"Creates appropriate learning outcomes specific to the institution.
"Encourages library instructors to work collaboratively with teaching faculty to include information literacy instruction into distance and online courses and programs.
"Collaborates with faculty and/or learning management system administrator to embed library tools and instructional materials into the online classroom.
"Provides point-of-need or virtual assistance which may include, but is not limited to, the following: ○ research needs ○ use of collections and equipment ○ general library services ○ referrals
"Markets and promotes educational services directly to distance and online learning communities."

Recording: Draft Information Literacy Framework for Criminal Justice

Another ACRL recording: this time of the 8 July 2024 webinar organised by the ACRL Anthropology and Sociology Section Criminal Justice/Criminology Discussion Group & Instruction and Information Literacy Committee: Cracking the Case: Unpacking the Draft Information Literacy Framework for Criminal Justice.The draft criminal justice Framework companion document and its genesis are introduced and there is discussion of how it could be used. The recording is here https://youtu.be/ZfnCKN49Svk?si=0Q9fYahEnBrw5jPh I have to admit I just skipped through it, but I found the audience poll at 8.30 interesting, on which parts of the ACRL framework people find easiest to teach (Research as Inquiry, and Scholarship as Conversation) and there are some detailed questions from the audience.
The draft Companion Document to the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education: Criminology and Criminal Justice itself is here  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BLjngHBlawlwJMKfVA08vAovQCmYX5dftvHCRtVDxOQ/edit#heading=h.4ydbklyuh899
Photo by Sheila Webber: Mason's Regency china, with agapanthus and wild marjoram, July 2024

Recording: Librarians as Instructors for Credit-Bearing Classes

There is a recording of the July 15, 2024 ACRL ULS Professional Development Committee webinar Librarians as Instructors for Credit-Bearing Classes - A Path Forward for Public Services? presented by Jennifer Joe (Undergraduate Engagement Librarian and associate professor at the University of Toledo, USA). Joe describes the class created in 2012, redesigned in 2019 and also affected by the pandemic lockdown. This includes discussing how it was designed, the learning outcomes, positives and negatives of librarians as teachers, and problems with the class. Go to https://youtu.be/_ckWqtP9pns?si=RgW5kLQ9daK7rgA9
(Rather poor) photo, of a mosaic painting by Maggie Forsyth (1954-2024).

Information intergrity: examples and principles

Thanks to the IFLA FAIFE newsletter which included (amongst numerous other things) a link to an interesting article about information integrity in elections in Taiwan, Comoros, Pakistan, India, and South Africa (some good, mostly bad)
Hollstein, T. & Jones, B.G. (2024, August 6). What we learned about information integrity from five 2024 elections. Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD). https://www.wfd.org/commentary/what-we-learned-about-information-integrity-five-2024-elections 

Also, substantially, a link to The United Nations Global Principles For Information Integrity https://www.un.org/en/information-integrity/global-principles released on 24 June 2024. The principles are: societal trust and resilience; independent, free and pluralistic media; transparency and research; public empowerment; and healthy incentives.
Under Powerful Empowerment they note "Media, information and digital literacy training initiatives should focus attention on empowering all, in particular focusing on the specific challenges faced by women, older persons, children, youth, persons with disabilities and groups in situations of vulnerability and marginalization."
Photo by Sheila Webber: red roses, August 2024

Fake news train

The Public Media Alliance is "a non-profit organisation funded by over fifty public media organisations, including the BBC, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Zweites Deutches Fernsehen (ZDF), the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and Thai PBS"
One of their latest news stories is of an education train that acts as a moving classroom, which has been expnanded with "a car on the subject of “fake news”... The new content aims to promote the media literacy of students and to help them distinguish fakes from facts." by the Swiss public broadcaster SRG.
Public Media Alliance. (2024, August 21). Fake or fact: SRG and SBB launch new module for SBB school and adventure train. https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/fake-or-fact-srg-and-sbb-launch-new-module-for-sbb-school-and-adventure-train/ (there is the further information in teh German-language original)
Photo © SBB CFF FFS titled Innenansicht Wagen "Fake News", SBB Schul- und Erlebniszug, 15.08.2024 [interior of the Fake news car, SBB school and experience train] obtained from their media centre here.
I was attracted to the PMA website by a UNESCO news story: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/building-media-literacy-educators-and-journalists-engage-unesco-supported-bootcamps-caribbean

Cambodia: Digital, Media, and Information Literacy (DMIL) Competency Framework

UNESCO reports on Cambodia's launch of its first competency framework on Digital, Media and Information Literacy (DMIL). The framework outlines 8 DMIL competency domains with a total of 114 competencies and 3 proficiency levels.
The competency domains are: Information and data literacy; digital devices and software operations; media literacy; communication and collaboration; digital content creation; security and safety; problem solving; lifelong learning.
The English version, a 30 page document which explains the origins, goals and elements in the framework, can be downloaded here https://go.gov.kh/#/fileviewer?url=mptc/dmil-english.pdf and the Khmer language version at https://go.gov.kh/mptc/dmil-khmer and there is a short video in Khmer here https://youtu.be/NLwuKAvvXM4?si=XKs2W0jJFDhOgC19

AI Tools for Information Professionals

Phil Bradley and his team are running another online "Power Hour" on 13 September 2024 at 12 noon UK time (BST): AI Tools for Information Professionals. Cost is £35 per person, and includes a recording of the session and some materials. "This Power Hour is going to provide you with an introduction to everything AI ... We’ll be exploring how to use AI tools to write and repurpose content, create images and videos and more."
Registration and information at https://tinyurl.com/4zjz8mjb
Photo by Sheila Webber: Hydrangea, Sheffield, July 2024

Concept Note: #GlobalMILWeek 2024

UNESCO issued a Concept Note for the 2024 Global Media and Information Literacy Week (24-31 October), and specifically for the feature conference that will take place in Amman, Jordan 30-31 October. The theme is The New Digital Frontiers of Information Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information
"This year's theme will highlight the paramount importance of media and information literacy in navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of information creation, dissemination, and consumption, paving the way for a safer, more inclusive, and empowering digital future for all."
"This year’s theme will highlight the importance of equipping people with the skills to think critically and evaluate information, discern fact from fiction, and engage responsibly in online discourse. This is particularly necessary in today’s digitalecosystem.
"Digital platforms have revolutionized the way information and news are created and consumed, allowing users to access, share and engage with content in real time. A new generation of online content creators, whether journalists, activists, or influencers, are reshaping how information is disseminated in unprecedented ways.  ...  while contributing to greater diversity of voices and perspectives online, this also raises questions about the reliability, professionalism, and ethics of the content produced. In addition, the emergence of generative artificial intelligence brings new complexities to the information landscape."
See the complete statement at https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000390716.locale=enPhoto by Sheila Webber: sunny sky, Sheffield, August 2024

Webinar: Educating for a Challenging Future - Political and Digital Literacy

A free webinar on 6 September at 11.00-12.00 UK time (BST) is Educating for a Challenging Future - Political and Digital Literacy . It is organised by CILIP Scotland and covers a project from the University of Edinburgh, working with Education Scotland "to help reform the curriculum to help prepare people for the future." "The University of Edinburgh is working with Education Scotland to help reform the curriculum to help prepare people for the future where reality is contested on social media, there are fewer trusted institutions and thinking is outsourced to AI. They are currently at the ‘big ideas’ stage – formulating project’s guiding principles. ... This webinar will highlight these considerations and also explore how libraries might contribute". It says it is "open to CILIP members" but it looks to me like it's free to everyone. Register at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/educating-for-a-challenging-future-political-and-digital-literacy-tickets-957205195507
Photo by Sheila Webber: foraged blackberries and some agapanthus buds, August 2024

Mental Health Information Literacy

The latest newsletter from the IFLA Library Theory and Research Section includes a short report about their Mental Health Information Literacy and Workplace Stress Management project (led by Professor Susmita Chakraborty and Catharina Isberg). The newsletter is at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v29asFZMZmuwThseSmgEWl-BZZFpjX_p/view
Photo by Sheila Webber: blue and pinkish hydrangeas, July 2024

Webinar: Media and information literacy in Europe's regional languages

On 27 August 2024 at 11am UTC (which is 12 noon BST) there is a free webinar: Media and information literacy in Europe's regional languages: Insights from the Basque, Frisian and Irish language communities. This webinar "aims to explore the current state of the media ecosystem in the Basque, Frisian, and Irish languages, through the perspective of language activists and media professionals who will help interpret how these ecosystems parallel, diverge from, or complement the media landscapes in the dominant languages, as well as the narratives that are taking place in both the ecosystems." The speakers are: Mirjam Vellinga (Afûk); a representative of Wikimedia Community of Ireland; Urtzi Urrutikoetxea (Garabide). More info at https://globalvoices.org/2024/08/15/live-on-august-27-media-and-information-literacy-in-europes-regional-languages/  and register here (this link works - the one on their website didn't, when I tried it)

IFLA Internet Manifesto

IFLA (the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) has published their new version of the IFLA Internet Manifesto. Their vision is "Meaningful and universal connectivity is connectivity that protects rights and realises potential. The Internet must connect societies and advance the rights and autonomy of individuals so that they can participate fully and freely in society": https://repository.ifla.org/handle/123456789/3461

Fact checking Ferret and misinformation

At the CILIP Scotland conference in June 2024 there was a presentation from Alastair Brian of The Ferret fact checking organisation based in Scotland. It is "a registered co-operative with places reserved on the board for both journalists and subscribers." The video is 37 minutes (embedded below and at https://youtu.be/odBxfjsS4bM?si=j6uQn_GehDMsz9-M)

Bibliographies from Mick Healey

There are some useful bibliographies concerned with research into student learning in Higher Education which have been maintained for years by Professor Emeritus Mick Healey. I have mentioned them before, but they are being kept updated so I will mention them again.
The topics are: 1 Active learning and learning styles; 2 Discipline based approaches to supporting learning and teaching; 3 Linking research and teaching; 4 Pedagogic research and development; 5 The scholarship of teaching and learning; 6 The scholarship of engagement; 7 Dissertations and capstone projects; 8 Students as partners and change agents; 9 Research-based curricula in college-based higher education; 10 Writing about learning and teaching in higher education.
This is the link (apologies for not including it at first!) https://www.healeyheconsultants.co.uk/resources
Photo by Sheila Webber: pale blue hydrangea, July 2024

New book: Information Literacy and Social Media

Santamaría, M. & Pfannenstiel, A.N. (2024). Information Literacy and Social Media: Empowered Student Engagement with the ACRL Framework. ACRL.  Item Number 979-8-89255-545-6. Price: ALA Member US$45.00 others US$50.00  
It "provides librarians and non-librarian practitioners with ways to teach and learn with social media. It addresses how to broadly conceptualize information literacy teaching with social media and allay any student reluctance to using social media for academic purposes. It proposes how to map some of the ACRL threshold concepts onto specific social media platforms, including Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok, while providing general guidance for if and when those platforms change.
"There are eight concrete, cross-disciplinary lesson plans that factor in design, assessment, and student engagement. Finally, the book considers how up-and-coming platforms might empower students to be critical content creators and encourage librarians and faculty to support and create new information literacy initiatives on their campuses."
Details at https://alastore.ala.org/information-literacy-and-social-media-empowered-student-engagement-acrl-framework?Photo by Sheila Webber: hydrangea, July 2024

The European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act

Earlier this year the European Council passed the Artificial Intelligence Act. Its publication in July 2024 in the Official Journal of the EU was the official notification.There is a dedicated website for the Act here https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/ Apart from the Act itself there is a growing range of resources such as (published last month) an introduction to codes of practice, a compliance checker and a high level summary of the Act (it says "in ten minutes" but I think they are being a bit over-optimistic). In 30 seconds " The Act assigns applications of AI to three risk categories. First, applications and systems that create an unacceptable risk, such as government-run social scoring of the type used in China, are banned. Second, high-risk applications, such as a CV-scanning tool that ranks job applicants, are subject to specific legal requirements. Lastly, applications not explicitly banned or listed as high-risk are largely left unregulated."

Designing Learning and Teaching for a World of Social Generative AI

An interesting video presentation from educational researcher Mike Sharples (Open University, UK) Future Learning: Designing Innovative Learning and Teaching for a World of Social Generative AI. He has an informed and thoughtful perspective, seeing generative AI in the context of what we already know about learning design (unlike those who buy into hype, and treat it as if it were this compeletely new thing that changes everything about education) https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/view/224689/
This was given at the SITE 2024 conference in March 2024 (that link is to the proceedings, but most of the items are not open access)
Image by Sheila Webber on Midjourney AI using the prompt: social learning teaching, generative AI colourful --v 6.0

Webinar: Health Literacy

On 9 August 2024 at 12.30 US Eastern time (which is 17.30 UK time) there is a webinar on Health literacy hosted by the Special Libraries Association Education Division and ACRL's EBSS Education Committee.
"A panel of academic librarians will draw upon their experiences to focus on evidence-based approaches for addressing health literacy in underserved populations, specifically in the LGBTQ+, Latinx, Black, and Refugee communities. This engaging panel provides an overview of the most significant health literacy needs in various communities and highlights connections to health disparities, health equity, and social justice. Overall, this panel supports those working with historically underserved populations with strategies they can use to address health literacy issues and to be responsive to their communities as partners."
Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMvceqtpzwsHtDYWS_rchrX5m7G3s7BG3DS Photo by Sheila Webber: a bee on borage, May 2024

Cfp: iConference: Living in an AI-gorithmic World

There is a call for papers for the iConference 2025 which has the theme  Living in an AI-gorithmic World. It takes place virtually 11-14 March 2025 and in person in Bloomington, USA, 18-22 March 2025. The deadline is 15 September 15 2024 for full research papers, short research papers & posters and 20 October 2024 for workshops and interactive sessions. "iConference 2025 seeks to explore the potentially profound implications of living in a world increasingly influenced by algorithmic processes, such as generative artificial intelligence, machine learning, large language models (LLM), data analytics, and related technologies." The call for papers is here https://www.ischools.org/post/iconference-2025-call-for-papers

New articles: AI for infolit; AI competency; Data competency; Feedback literacy

Volume 50 issue 4 (2024) of the Journal of Academic Librarianship (a priced publication) includes the following:
- Integrating large language models and generative artificial intelligence tools into information literacy instruction by Alexander J. Carroll, Joshua Borycz (open access)
- Facilitating inclusive and equitable curricular changes: A case study of embedded librarianship in a faculty learning community by Emily Z. Mann, Ashley N. Reese, Michelle Madden, Timothy Henkel
- Data competency for academic librarians: Evaluating present trends and future prospects by Jiebei Luo, Rong Tang
- From insight to innovation: Harnessing artificial intelligence for dynamic literature reviews Stephen Buetow, Joshua Lovatt (open access)
- Successful feedback literacy for library and information science professionals: A literature review by Jessica N. Szempruch, LeEtta M. Schmidt
- B-Wheel – Building AI competences in academic libraries by Heli Kautonen, Andrea Alessandro Gasparini (open access)
Contents page at https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/the-journal-of-academic-librarianship/vol/50/issue/4 (note: I can't seem to access the Science Direct site using Firefox, but it was fine with Chrome)
Photo by Sheila Webber: Bournemouth, June 2024 (spot the goats)

AI Community of Practice (AI COP) for academic librarians

An AI Community of Practice for Academic Librarians has been formed by academic librarians in the USA. There is a first online meeting on 28 August 2024 at 13.00-14.00 US Eastern time (which is 18.00-19.00 UK time, BST)
"The AI COP aims to create a vibrant, inclusive community where academic librarians can explore the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence together. Key aspects of our community: Open dialogue: All viewpoints on AI are respected and valued; Knowledge sharing: Learn from colleagues and identify collaboration opportunities; Resource development"
The AI COP Organizers are: Emma Slayton (Data Education Librarian, Carnegie Mellon University Libraries, USA); Rebecca Fordon (Reference Librarian & Adjunct Professor, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, USA); Michael Flierl (Fellow at the Information Literacy Institute at Purdue, USA).
Join the COP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNbczF-vfx-wtyxEfMO-BY3TImwtXZLOoFrhJSn1BXG6Xo-Q/viewformImage created by Sheila Webber using Midjourney AI using the prompt AI Community of Practice for Academic Librarians (interesting it manages to incorporate the stereotype librarian with glasses and a bun)

SearchGPT: the next step

An interesting post from Phil Bradley about SearchGPT and how he sees it affecting search and search engines. You should be able to read this without logging into LinkedIn (though if you aren't you will have to click your way past a notice).
Bradley, P. (2024, July 27). SearchGPT; the next step. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/searchgpt-next-step-phil-bradley-jrxze/

This is an article by him from earlier in the month:
Bradley, P. (2024, June 4). The changing face of internet search. Information Today. https://www.infotoday.eu/Articles/Editorial/Featured-Articles/The-changing-face-of-internet-search-164285.aspx?

Photo by Sheila Webber: Stanley Park, Vancouver, May 2024

Open access book: Teaching and Generative AI

An open-access book published a few months ago, with chapters by various authors. Chapters include:
- Empowering Educators in the Age of Generative AI: A Critical Media Literacy Approach
- Developing Media and Information Literacy through Dialogues about AI
- Navigating Benefits and Concerns When Discussing GenAI Tools with Faculty and Staff (by Reed Hepler, a librarian)
Buyserie, B. & Thurston, T. (Eds.) (2024). Teaching and Generative AI. Utah Education Network Pressbooks. https://uen.pressbooks.pub/teachingandgenerativeai/
Image by Sheila Webber using Midjourney AI using the prompt: Teaching, Generative AI, college, style of Miro --v 6.0 --ar 16:9 (I introduced the Miro part to avoid desks, screens, robot heads etc.)

ILIAD: Information Literacy is a Discipline

There is now a website for the ILIAD (Information Literacy is a Discipline) collaboration. On it you can find some information about its origins, the co-founders (including me), presentations and publications so far and notice of the Information Literacy Handbook: Charting the Discipline which will be published by Facet next year. Bill Johnston and I have been arguing for Information Literacy as a discipline for 25 years now, with key publications our 2006 and 2017 papers.
The website is here https://www.iliad-group.org/

Conference: Telling Library Stories

On 16-18 September 2024 there is an in-person conference at the University of Kentuky, USA: Telling Library Stories. This is part of the Library Research Seminar series.
"We will focus on how to use statistics to tell compelling stories, how research stories reflect library practice, how library stories impact research and development and how libraries can tell stories to advocate for themselves and their communities."
This has a lot of interesting sessions relevant to information literacy, including (all from the USA):
- The panel Information Literacy: A New Discipline (Karen Kaufmann, University of South Florida; Clarence Maybee, Purdue University; John M. Budd, University of Missouri)
- The panel Value, Shmalue: Measuring Meaning through True Tales of Teaching (Natalia Kapacinskas, University of Houston Libraries; Erica Lopez, University of Houston Libraries; Mea Warren, University of Houston Libraries; Veronica Arellano Douglas, University of Houston Libraries)
- An introduction to infophilia, a positive psychology of information (Anita S. Coleman, School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign)
- The workshop Hackathon X Olio: Co-creating a collective of library stories for teaching and learning (Rebecca Morris, Chair, University of Pittsburgh)
- So, What Exactly Do You Do? Using Statistics to Tell Your Story as a Subject Librarian (Doug Campbell, University of North Texas)
- Unheard Stories: The Experiences, Needs, and Hopes of Hard of Hearing Librarians (Lee Ann Fullington, Brooklyn College, CUNY; Jill Cirasella , CUNY Graduate Center)
Full information at https://ci.uky.edu/lrs8
Photo by Sheila Webber: Hydrangea, July 2024

Picture books as a bridge to enquiry-based learning

The BRIDGE Project was an international project which was aiming to develop materials and a network to support information literacy in primary school children. It produced "the booklet Picture books as a bridge to enquiry-based learning: suggestions to support critical information and digital literacy in primary education to provide open and flexible suggestions on how to implement information and digital literacy with an emphasis on the promotion of equality values, making use of children’s literature, in particular picture books." The booklet and additional materials are available in Spanish, Catalan, Turkish, Italian, Finnish, Greek and English.
Fnd them here: https://bridgeinfoliteracy.eu/training/

Webinar: Countering climate disinformation: strengthening global citizenship education and media literacy

A webinar on 16 October 2024 13.00-14.00 CEST (which is 12.00-13.00 UK time) from the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities is Countering climate disinformation: strengthening global citizenship education and media literacy
"This webinar will focus on Global Citizenship Education (GCED) as a potent tool to foster climate action. Against the backdrop of mis/disinformation, promoting critical thinking as well as data and information literacy are key to ensuring citizens can access and evaluate the information they receive through the media."
The languages will be Arabic, English, French, Korean and Spanish.
More information and registration link here https://www.uil.unesco.org/en/articles/global-network-learning-cities-webinar-countering-climate-disinformation-strengthening-global?hub=38
Image by Sheila Webber using Midjourney AI with the prompt: Countering climate disinformation, global citizenship education, media literacy, impressionist style --v 6.0 --ar 16:9

Posters: Tiktok; AI; Rare books; Autistic student voices; Media literacy

There are online posters (a poster or slides, plus videos in some cases) as part of the LILi Conference this week. Each poster has its own Padlet for you to ask questions and receive answers from the presenters. The posters are:
- Dr. ChatGPT or: How One Instruction Librarian Learned to Teach with AI - Elise Ferer
- Centering Autistic Student Voices: How Participatory Action Research and Summer Bridge Programs Inform Neuro-inclusive and Neuro-affirming Learning Environments and Support Student Success - Mercedes Rutherford-Patten & Luna Nombrano Larsen
- Combining Written, Visual, and Interactive Materials to Create a System of Intuitive, Self-guided Information Literacy Skill Development - Sadie Davenport
- Expertise on Demand: Developing Need-Based AI Literacy - Brooke Gross
- Informed by Materiality: Nurturing Information Literacy Skills in Rare Book Instruction - Autumn Johnson
- Media in the Digital Age: Creating and Implementing a High School Media Literacy Course - Julia Lennox
- Navigating the AI Landscape: Insights from Information Literacy Professionals - Natalie Marquez & Emmanuel Te
- TikTok as an Information Source - Reagan Harper
Posters can be found at: https://lili.libguides.com/lili2024/posterpresentations

New Book: Spatial Literacy in Public Health

Newly published: Cantwell-Jurkovic, L. & Parece, T. (Eds) (2024). Spatial Literacy in Public Health: Faculty-Librarian Teaching Collaborations. ACRL.
"A collection of ideas and plans for collaborative spatial literacy teaching and learning initiatives focusing on geographic information systems (GIS)-based and GIS-related instruction through the lens of public health topics."
Full information at https://alastore.ala.org/spatial-literacy-public-health-faculty-librarian-teaching-collaborations?_zs=SUvvg1&_zl=DUMj9
Photo by sheila Webber: goslings in Vancouver, May 2024

Information Science Workout

Dr Jenna Hartel has produced a new video series: Information Science Workout which "helps people to learn concepts of Information Science though their bodies". Each episode is about 2 minutes long and they cover: Introduction to the Series; What Kind of Academic Discipline is Information Science?; What is Information?; What is Social Epistemology? ; What is Information Behavior?; Why and How Did I Make This Video Series.
The playlist is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEFS5x0-2Uk&list=PLZp7Vke_WTVpyeSbT8lnl2LeUqlvJVAKK

African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) workshop

A report of a workshop in Kano, Nigeria, organised by AFRICMIL to urge "women and people with disabilities to join the fight against corruption, emphasizing their important roles in combating corruption and promoting accountability in Nigeria."
Mansir, A.I. (2024, June 28). AFRICMIL encourages women, PWDs to support fight against corruption. https://solacebase.com/africmil-encourages-womenpwds-to-support-fight/
Photo by Sheila Webber: enormous climbing white rose, June 2024

New articles: Course titles; Rubrics; Over-confidence; Black Students’ Experiences

New articles from portal: libraries and the academy (priced publication)
- Adams, A.L., Alexander, S., & Radcliff, S. (2024). Student Perspectives on Information Literacy Course Titles. portal: Libraries and the Academy 24(3), 577-611. https://doi.org/10.1353/pla.2024.a931772.
- Hobscheid, M., White, A., & Kerbavaz, K. (2024). Strength in Flexibility: Using a Flexible Programmatic Instruction Rubric to Promote Librarian Autonomy and Assess IL Skills. portal: Libraries and the Academy 24(3), 553-575. https://doi.org/10.1353/pla.2024.a931771.
- van Ingen Lauer, S., & Ariew, S. (2024). Addressing the Dunning-Kruger Effect through Research Logs. portal: Libraries and the Academy 24(3), 633-652. https://doi.org/10.1353/pla.2024.a931774. (that's the effect where students think they are doing better than they are)
- White, D.E., Munip, L., & Paik, E.J. (2024). Black Students’ Experiences and Perceptions of the Library at a Predominately White Institution. portal: Libraries and the Academy 24(3), 613-631. https://doi.org/10.1353/pla.2024.a931773.
Photo by Sheila Webber: Bournemouth, June 2024

Is the world’s biggest search engine broken?

An interesting read for Saturday:
Faber, T. 92024, 20 July). ‘Google says I’m a dead physicist’: is the world’s biggest search engine broken?. Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/jul/20/google-is-the-worlds-biggest-search-engine-broken
Image created by Sheila Webber using Midjourney AI with prompt: Is the world’s biggest search engine broken? google --v 6.0 --ar 16:9

Global Media and Information Literacy Week Youth Hackathon 2024

Following on from yesterday's post, once again Global Media and Information Literacy week includes a youth hackathon. Teams of 3-6 members aged between 18 and 30 years old can register, with the registration deadline 18 August 2024 and the deadline for submissions 8 September 2024.
"The participants will focus on one of the following topics to design innovative solution and scheme their proposals:
- "Empowering youth to become active participants in shaping the digital spaces they inhabit, finding ways to promote public interest information rather than passive consumers of information.
- "Exploring innovative solutions to address the challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence.
- "Exploring receptive and effective approaches to Media and Information Literacy Education and Capacity Building through Peer education and Feeding Education.
- "Activating Youth Organizations to be agents of change through collaborating with digital content creators."
The proposed solutions can be Games; Applications/Websites; Radio programmes/Podcasts; Educational toolkits; Creative community-based interventions (non-technology focused) or other forms.
The submission takes the form of a 3 minute video plus a descripton of the solution. More information at https://www.unesco.org/en/weeks/media-information-literacy/youth-hackathon-2024
Photo by Sheila Webber: takeaway coffee on the beach, Bournemouth, June 2024

Global Media and Information Literacy week #MILClicks

This year's Global Media and Information Literacy week will again be celebrated 24-31 October 2024. The are aiming to hold the associated main conference (hosted by UNESCO and the Hashemite Kingdom in Amman) in Jordan on 30-31 October 2024. This year’s theme is The New Digital Frontiers of Information: Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information.
You can already register any offline or inperson events that you are organising for Global MIL week at https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/celebrating-global-media-and-information-literacy-week-2024
Photo by Sheila Webber: Bournemouth beach, June 2024

UK Government and AI

There is an artificial intelligence section on the UK Government wesite. In particular, there is an interesting report which was produced by an international panel of experts for the Seoul AI Summit in May 2024, the International Scientific Report on the Safety of Advanced AI (published by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and AI Safety Institute "The interim report restricts its focus to a summary of the evidence on general-purpose AI, which have advanced rapidly in recent years. The report synthesises the evidence base on the capabilities of, and risks from, general-purpose AI and evaluates technical methods for assessing and mitigating them." https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-scientific-report-on-the-safety-of-advanced-ai 

Some other pages on the website are
- stating OfQual's position on use of AI in qualifications (OfQual oversees the agencies that set and mark qualification examinations in England, in particular the qualifications that are awarded in schools). The statement focuses particularly on the use in marking (marking should still be done by humans) and invigilation, as well as some ststements about agencies' responsibility in setting guidelines for use by learners (April 2024).
- saying how they used AI to analyse responses to an (unpecified) government consultation. I think this might make me even more cynical about governemnt consultations. (9 July 2024)
- saying how jolly it is using AI in defence technology https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ai-and-data-science-defence-science-and-technology-capability (June 2024)
It will be interesting to see what is added/removed when the new Government gets round to looking at AI. I noticed that the Seoul Ministerial Statement for advancing AI safety, innovation and inclusivity: AI Seoul Summit 2024 (22 May 2024) is already labelled "This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government"....
Image created by Sheila Webber using Midjourney AI

How information Worlds Shape Our Response to Climate Change

A new report from Project Information Literacy: How information Worlds Shape Our Response to Climate Change. This is based on two surveys: a sample of 4,503 members of the general public, aged 16-85 and a sample of 1,593 students (enrolled in nine higher education institutions in the U.S.A.). As well as the report itself, there is a nice data dashboard. I might write more about this when I've had a proper look at it!

Head, A.J., Geofrey, S., Fister, B. & Hostetler, K. (2024). How information Worlds Shape Our Response to Climate Change. Project Information Literacy. https://projectinfolit.org/pubs/climate-study/
Photo by Sheila Webber: Stanley Park, Vancouver, May 2024

Last chance to register: New Horizons! Future-Ready Learning and Lifelong Information Literacy

Registration for the free online conference from LILi (lifelong Information Literacy) closes on 19 July 2024. The theme is New Horizons! Future-Ready Learning and Lifelong Information Literacy and it takes place 25 July 2024 11:30-14:30 US Pacific time (so that is, e.g. starting at 19.30 UK time) and 26 July 2024, 9:30-13:30 US Pacific time. The schedule is here https://lili.libguides.com/lili2024/schedule and the posters will be published on the website about a week before the conference.
Register here https://forms.gle/yCK5MqfTKyEn2UvY7 Note that "registration does not guarantee a space, as attendance will be limited to 300 simultaneous attendees each day on a first-come/first-served basis."

Youth leader training in the Philippines

Rappler, #FactsFirstPH and Deutsche Welle are sponsoring training of youth leaders from Luzon and Mindanao (the Philippines) in media and information literacy in July/August 2024, in a programme called Movers for Facts. After the training they are expected to follow up by hosting workshops or creating media for their communities.There is a "a focus on countering disinformation. Participants will gain a better understanding of the current media landscape and work together to promote digital resilience against disinformation in their own communities. "

Rappler. (2024, June 28). Rappler, Deutsche Welle to train youth leaders to promote media literacy. https://www.rappler.com/moveph/deutsche-welle-training-youth-leaders-promote-media-literacy/ (you have to register (free) to see the whole story, though initially I saw the whole thing without registering; not sure how/why)
Photo by Sheila Webber: sandy beach, Bournemouth, June 2024

Four book reviews: Identity; Learning Theory; AI; Critlib

Book reviews from the latest  College & Research Libraries issue, with links to information about the reviewed books (the reviews are open access, the books are not).

Cicero, S. (2024). Instructional Identities and Information Literacy: Transforming Ourselves, Volume 1, Amanda Nicholas Hess (ed.), ACRL, 2023. 194p. Softcover. 9780838939680 (Review 1 of a 3-volume title). College & Research Libraries, 85(5), 791. https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.85.5.791 Here is a link to the book itself.

Haigh, J. (2024). The Librarian’s Guide to Learning Theory: Practical Applications in Library Settings, Anne Medaille. ALA Editions, 2023. Softcover, 192p. $54.99. 9780838939581. College & Research Libraries, 85(5), 792. https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.85.5.792 Here is a link to the book itselfor here for those outside North America

Pun, R. (2024). The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI, Fei-Fei Li, Flatiron Books, 2023. 324p. Hardcover, $24.99. 9781250897930. College & Research Libraries, 85(5), 794. https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.85.5.794 Here is a link to the book itself.

Setele, J. (2024). The Critical Librarianship and Pedagogy Symposium: Reflections, Revisions, and New Works, Yvonne Mery and Anthony Sanchez (eds.), ACRL, 2023. 220p. Softcover, $65.00. 9780838939529. College & Research Libraries, 85(5), 795. https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.85.5.795. Here is a link to the book itself.Photo by Sheila Webber: hollyhock and bee, June 2024

Misinformation and the media

The LSE's impact blog has interesting posts, and last month they made a compilation: "a selection of posts from the LSE Impact Blog’s archives exploring the impact of misinformation and the extent to which the concept itself is a useful way of understanding how evidence is used and abused in the media." The link to posts covering a number of media, including one that addresses Should a TV drama influence public policy (referring to the TV play that finally got some action on the post office scandal) Taster, M. (2024, June 14). Misinformation and the media – An LSE Impact Blog review. https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2024/06/14/misinformation-and-the-media-an-lse-impact-blog-review/
Photo by Sheila Webber: astrantia (spot the bee), May 2024

Webinar: Current and Future Literacies: Libraries Leading Literacy Development

A free online panel on 13 August 2024 at 13.00-14.00 BST (current UK time) is Current and Future Literacies: Libraries Leading Literacy Development. It is organised by IFLA's Academic and Research Libraries Section. The speakers are:
Lily Y. Ko (Head, Research & Learning Support, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Library): Advancing Literacy in the Digital Age: The Role of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Library in Global Transitions
Dr. Sarah Kaddu, Dean (East Africa School of Library and Information Science): AI in LIS Education in Uganda: a response strategy
Dr. Alicia Wise (Executive Director of the CLOCKSS Archive): Advancing Biblio-Equity: Digital Preservation and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in a Post-COVID-19 World
More information here and you must register here https://events.zoom.us/e/view/6z64oyt5RBC_qNWkwvaqdA
Photo by Sheila Webber: Steam clock, Vancouver, May 2024

Webinar and report: Towards universal access to reliable healthcare information

On 30 July 2024 at 14.00-15.00 BST (UK time) there is a panel discussing the results from a global survey on the need reliable healthcare information throughout the world: Towards universal access to reliable healthcare information. It is organised by Healthcare Information for All.
Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZModeuprjMpE9NJNhaC62tmfqqJDDB-Y2CU#/registration
"In late 2023 HIFA conducted a global consultation for WHO [Wor;d Health Organization] to assess stakeholder perspectives on universal access to reliable healthcare information and how to accelerate progress. 2410 individuals from 135 countries participated, representing all six stakeholder groups in the global evidence ecosystem (generating, publishing, synthesising, packaging, finding, and applying evidence). Respondents overwhelmingly called for WHO to explicitly champion the goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information, and for WHO and HIFA to convene stakeholders to develop a global strategy to accelerate progress. "
The press release is here https://www.hifa.org/news/press-release-global-health-advocates-call-world-health-organization-champion-universal-access

The full report is here:https://www.hifa.org/sites/default/files/other_publications_uploads/HIFA-WHO-report-final.pdf and the report infographic is here: https://www.hifa.org/sites/default/files/HIFA_infographic_vhires.png

Tomorrow and Monday: Information Science Trends - It's not too late to register!

A feast of fascinating insights await at the online Information Science Trends conference which takes place 14.00-17.00 BST (UK time) on Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th July 2024, organised by the Association of Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T) European Chapter (of which I am part). It is free to ASIS&T members, US $10 to non-member students and US $25 to others. The programme (and link to registration) is here: https://www.asist.org/2024/07/04/ist24-programme/ 

The conference theme is Living online and offline, in darkness and light. On Day 1 the keynote is Passion + research = letting your light shine through from Amber Cushing and other papers include: Sustainable Management of Social Network Data; Information behaviour of emergency physicians; neurodivergency in academic libraries; virtual field trips.
Image created using Midjourney AI

New articles: AI literacy; Student needs; Student stress; Workloads

The July 2024 issue of open access journal College & Research Libraries (vol. 85 issue 5) includes the following:
- Evaluating AI Literacy in Academic Libraries: A Survey Study with a Focus on U.S. Employees by Leo S. Lo
- Community College Librarian Views of Student Information Literacy Needs by Don Latham, Melissa Gross, Heidi Julien
- Determining Equitable Liaison Librarian Workloads: An Investigation into the Conundrum by Susan Alison Bolton
- Student Stress and the Research Consultation: The Effect of the Research Consultation on Project Stress and Overall Stress and Applications for Student Wellness by LuMarie Guth, Bradford Dennis
- The Faculty Role in College Affordability: Syllabus Creation and Resource Affordability by Sarah Rose Fitzgerald, Christine Turner, Anne Graham
Contents page at https://crl.acrl.org/index.php/crl/issue/view/1661/showToc
Photo by Sheila Webber: sand on the path next the beach, Bournemouth, June 2024

Online workshops: Lego & learning; Neurodiversity

Some online workshops from Andrew Walsh:
- Basic Introduction to Using Lego in Adult Teaching/Support on 23 September 2024. £85 for those in teh UK £95 for those outside the UK (the cost includes a pack of Lego posted to you, so the overseas fee is higher to cover the extra postage costs). Details and registration at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/basic-introduction-to-using-lego-in-adult-teaching-support-september-24-tickets-920181516687
- Neurodiversity in the workplace on 11 September 2024. Cost is £54.88. Details and registration at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/neurodiversity-in-the-workplace-webinar-tickets-920186902797
Image by Sheila Webber using Midjourney with the prompt a sitting dog, it is beside a notice, the notice reads "Polling Station" --v 6.0 (it is voting day today for the UK's General Election and dogs outside polling stations is a meme at election time: I don't have a dog to photograph, though)

New articles: Authority; Emotion & experiences in COVID; literacy in public libraries; Information needs of entrepreneurs

The latest issue of Reference Services Review (priced journal) is vol. 52 issue 2, 2024. The theme is Reference and instructional services for libraries in the digital age (haven't we been in the digital age for a few decades now?) anyway, articles include:
- Rose-Wiles, L.M. (2024). The framing of authority in the ACRL framework on information literacy: multidisciplinary perspectives on truth, authority, expertise and belief. Reference Services Review, 52(2), 202-217. https://doi.org/10.1108/RSR-02-2024-0003
- Bury, S. (2024). Affective dimensions of academic librarians’ experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic: experiences and lessons learned for information literacy. Reference Services Review, 52(2), 278-295. https://doi.org/10.1108/RSR-12-2023-0082
- Salubi, O. and Majavu, U. (2024). Toward the development of a framework for literacy support and promotion by public libraries in financially and infrastructurally low-resourced territories. Reference Services Review, 52(2), 218-230. https://doi.org/10.1108/RSR-06-2023-0056
- Toane, C. and Shujah, S. (2024). Campus entrepreneurs’ research habits and needs: a five-year study. Reference Services Review, 52(2), 257-277. https://doi.org/10.1108/RSR-01-2024-0001
The whole issue is here: https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/0090-7324/vol/52/iss/2
Photo by Sheila Webber: deckchairs in Bournemouth, June 2024

Election facts and dangers

The UK general elections are on Thursday (4 July).The fact checking Full Fact website has a section devoted to fact checking various aspects of the political election campaigns here https://fullfact.org/election-2024/all/ and today they have summarised a number of them in fact sheets focusing on core issues such as health, net zero and .... potholes.

Also, a topical post highlights the way in which one British politician is aiming to undermine confidence in the media (a la Trump) by claiming that established media are biased and fabricating stories: Why Nigel Farage’s anti-media election interference claims are so dangerous: https://theconversation.com/why-nigel-farages-anti-media-election-interference-claims-are-so-dangerous-233698
Democratic debate in Krakow, October 2023

US Government's new Information Literacy website

The USA's Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has just launched an official Government Information Literacy website with a focus on supporting library and museum professional meet local needs. It "disseminates successful practices, tools, and programs related to financial, health, digital, and other information literacy subject areas. Focusing on resources and programs delivered locally, Informationliteracy.gov supports library and museum practitioners and community-based organizations across the country in their efforts to meet community needs and provide resources and trainings on these subjects." Indeed, the panels on the home page focus on digital, financial and health literacy and the featured resources are mostly ones developed by libraries or museums.
Given the UK Government's narrower focus on media literacy, and the way in which it neglects the contribution of librarians, this website seems to me to be exciting! From a statement on the website, this follows up a requirement in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 for IMLS to support IL development (sadly, we don't have an equivalent to IMLS in the UK either).
Go to https://informationliteracy.gov/