Artificial Intelligence and Information Literacy Assessment Day

There is very little detail, but this half day event held last week "Hosted by the University Assessment and Program Review Committee, University Libraries and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning" at the University of Toledo, USA, sounds an interesting collaboration and event for faculty, staff and graduate students. Badged as Artificial Intelligence and Information Literacy Assessment Day 2026: Guiding Students Through the Noise, it had "focused sessions on classroom practices, assessment approaches, and responsible use of AI tools" and covered "topics such as: What is Information Literacy and What Does It Look Like in the Classroom? How to Assess Information Literacy; AI and Information Literacy in the Classroom. 
I found the brief information here: https://news.utoledo.edu/index.php/01_21_2026/utoledo-hosting-artificial-intelligence-and-information-literacy-assessment-day-on-thursday
Image created by Sheila Webber using Midjourney AI.

Data Literacy in Action Webinar Series

The University of North Texas is running a Data Literacy in Action Webinar Series on 4, 11 and 18 February 2026 at 12noon-13.00 US Central time (which is 18.00-19.00 GMT). This is "a set of three free webinars exploring practical strategies, tools, and teaching approaches for integrating data literacy into instruction and research support" in US community colleges (I think somewhat like Further Education in the UK). "The series is organized around three core topics from a data literacy toolkit (https://data-literacy-toolkit.github.io/) developed through our IMLS-funded project."
Register at https://bit.ly/dlccwebinar. More information at https://ci.unt.edu/dlcc
There have also been some interesting publications from this project https://ci.unt.edu/dlcc/research-output/publications.html
Photo by Sheila Webber: misty trees, December 2025

New articles: Relationships; Data Privacy; Burnout

The latest issue of open access College & Research Libraries News (volume 87 issue 1) includes:
- Social Network Analysis of Liaison Librarian Relationships by Ellen Hampton Filgo, Joshua Been (investigating "the relationships between liaison librarians and faculty at a university library.")
- Interventions for Reducing, Preventing, or Overcoming Librarian Burnout: A Scoping Review by Natalie Logue, Jessica C. Garner, Stephanie Hendren
- Search Data Privacy in Academic Libraries: Qualitative Perspectives of Members of Marginalized Groups by Laura W. Gariepy
- A review of the 2-volume Training Library Instructors (which I blogged briefly in 2024): the reviewer concludes after a thorough review of both volumes "Regardless of the level of instructional experience, reading these books is a step toward building one’s own instructional capabilities, and the two volumes are useful to library professionals and library learners alike."
Go to https://crl.acrl.org/index.php/crl/issue/view/1689/showToc
Photo by Sheila Webber: Christmas tree thrown out, no. 6 (hiding behind the bins), January 2026

Webinar: Using Special Collections in Teaching

As part of CILIP members Fest there is a free webinar Using Special Collections in Teaching on 4 March 2026 Wednesday 4 March 2026, 12.30 - 13.30 GMT. 
"Are you interested in using special collections for teaching sessions? Have you been asked to deliver learning activities based on your collections but don’t know where to start? Do you already deliver or support learning sessions and want to connect with others in the sector or be inspired by new approaches? Join our expert panel for a discussion on teaching with special collections. Discover practical approaches, new methods, and ways to enhance learning experiences." Speakers are: Angela Newton & Thomas Campbell (University of Leeds, UK); Joanna Baines (University College London, UK); Chloe Dennis (British Library, UK) and Katie Birkwood (Royal College of Physicians, UK). 
More information at https://www.cilip.org.uk/event/membersfest26_specialcollections

Health Information Week #HIW2026 patient information

This is Health Information Week in the UK. The Patient Information Forum has celebrated the week by releasing 5 new PIF TICK collections of trusted health information, produced in collaboration with the NHS Knowledge and Library Services team and endorsed by NHS England (PIF TICK is a mark for information that meets key criteria for trusted and accessible health information). 
The collections are here https://piftick.org.uk/collections/ and you can search or browse all the triusted sources here https://piftick.org.uk/health-topics/ 
You can also find translated versions of the leaflets - today's theme for HIW is translated patient information.

Articles: Immersive technologies; Language used in information literacy

- Okuonghae, O, (2025). Advancing information literacy through immersive technologies in the metaverse age: a rapid review. Digital Library Perspectives, 41 (4), 637–649. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-01-2025-0005
- Chizwina, S. et al. (2025). The use of "mother tongue" in information literacy instruction among the NEET (not in education, employment, or training) youth at a South African township. South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 91(1). https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-liasa_v91_n1_a8 (open access). 
Photo by Sheila Webber: Christmas tree thrown out, no. 5, January 2026

Webinar: Medieval Information Literacy

Next in the Institute for Information Literacy at Purdue's ID:EALS series is Medieval Information Literacy: Research Into Practice, on 21 January 2026 at 10 am EST (15.00 GMT).
Speakers are Dr. Andrew (Drew) Whitworth of the University of Manchester and Dr. Kristin Browning Leaman of Purdue University, who "will explore how scholars created and employed systems of information literacy to navigate the information spaces of the medieval period. While information literacy may be new as an organized and independent discipline, these scholars' work points to it being a longstanding concept in human engagement with knowledge."
Register at https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/-4EJ23H3Qtmo-xiXJs2vPA#/registration

2nd call for poposals: Critical Approaches to Libraries Conference

The second call for proposals for the 2026 Critical Approaches to Libraries Conference (CALC) (taking place online during the week beginning 11 May 2026) has been announced. This is the open call for proposals. The closing date for proposals is 6 February 2026 at 23.59 GMT (UK time). "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". The first keynote to be announced is Rodney Freeman. Among other things, he is founder of Remenisce Preservation.
There is more information at https://sites.google.com/view/calcconference/call-for-papers including a guide to writing proposals and the form to submit session proposals.
There is a short explanation about the scope of the conference at https://sites.google.com/view/calcconference/about/what-is-critical-library-practice
Questions or queries can go to calcconference@gmail.com 

National Searching Guidance - latest edition

The National Searching Guidance for NHS/healthcare libarians has been updated and the January 2026 edition is available.  As with previous editions, it starts with guidance for each stage of an evidence search (i.e. planning, execution, results). Although the focus is on searches related to health, these general guidelines and prompts are more widely useful. Following general guidance on each stage of a search are sections with detailed guidance for specific types of search.
It can be accessed freely on the Searching and Training Forums' wiki at https://sites.google.com/site/healthliteraturesearchers/Home
Photo by Sheila Webber: misty day, December 2025

Recent articles: STEM & AI; CIL

- Chomintra, M., & Pascuzzi, P. E. (2025). GIS Librarians’ Involvement in Critical Information Literacy Instruction. Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, 112. https://doi.org/10.29173/istl2923 [GIS = Geographic information systems] (open access)

- Matthews, D. J., Wheeler, A., Insley, H. A., & Mackintosh, D. C. (2025). Promoting the Ethical and Appropriate Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in STEM Subjects at a University: An Opportunity for Increased Classroom Collaboration Between Lecturers and Librarians? Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, 112. https://doi.org/10.29173/istl2935 (open access)
Photo by Sheila Webber: Edinburgh, December 2025

LILAC Learning sets

People who are intending to attend the LILAC (information literacy) conference in Sheffield, UK, 30 March - 1 April 2026, can sign up for a new initiative: LILAC Learning sets. The idea is that " attendees who take part will be grouped together with colleagues from diverse organisations, geographical locations, and career stages, and supported to maintain contact throughout the 12 months following the conference. More info at https://infolit.org.uk/keep-that-lilac-buzz-going-with-lilac-learning-sets/ and the expressions of interest form is here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecHHgtFzB7_Enf8QnuSbYQr5YRNxzn_zU8qvpF51v87PZpkw/viewform

Call for proposals: Ungrading in Credit-Bearing Library Instruction: Alternative Assessment Practices

There is a call for proposals for chapters in Ungrading in Credit-Bearing Library Instruction: Alternative Assessment Practices to be published by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). Proposals must be submitted by 31 January 2026.
"Contributed Chapters Core chapters feature case studies of real-world applications, from minimalist integrations within traditional systems to comprehensive ungrading models. Contributors will share practical strategies, examples, and candid reflections on challenges and lessons learned. This section could also include essays on theoretical approaches to alternative assessments.
"... We seek case study chapters that explore ungrading and alternative assessment approaches used in credit-bearing library instruction, whether integrated within traditional grading structures or used as the dominant approach. Chapters should share practical strategies and examples of ungrading or alternative grading methods, such as contract, specifications, or standards-based grading. We are also interested in reflections on challenges, considerations, and lessons learned during implementation, as well as discussions that connect assessment practices to pedagogical values like empowerment, exploration, and lifelong learning."
Submit using the form (including a 300-500 word abstract and a CV or publications list) here https://binghamton.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5d9WjKaH02aAMxo
Chapter Length (if the proposal is accepted) will be 3,000-6,000 wordswith the first draft due in May 31, 2026. Questions to ungradingbook@gmail.com
Photo by Sheila Webber: Christmas tree thrown out, no. 4 (lurking behind the front wall), January 2026

Call for nominations: Information Literacy Award and Student Award

Nominations for the Information Literacy Award and Student Award are now open. The closing date for both awards is 6 February 2026 at 17:00 GMT sharp. 
- Information Literacy Award. This is sponsored by the CILIP Information Literacy Group and the UCL Department of Information. 
"The award is open to all practitioners, researchers and academics working in the IL field within the UK. Nominations must demonstrate impact, innovation, initiative, and originality in one or more of the following areas: Raising the profile of IL within an organisation/ community or sector; Initiating or contributing to national, regional, or local projects/ initiatives which enhance IL skills for an identified client group(s); Developing a digital resource (e.g., online course, service, product, or app) which develops and enhances IL skills; Undertaking original research in the field of IL and making a significant contribution to the literature" 
Nominations may be from any sector, from individuals or teams, and you can self-nominate or nominate others. 
More info at https://www.lilacconference.com/awards/information-literacy-award.  

- Rowena Macrae-Gibson Student Award. This provides a sponsored place at the LILAC conference for two students registered on a UK study programme. The award includes a full conference place, including social events, and reasonable UK travel and accommodation expenses up to the value of £250. Full-time or part-time students (including distance-learners) can apply, providing they are registered for a UK-based first degree or taught postgraduate qualification in information/ library studies or information literacy (IL). 
More info at https://www.lilacconference.com/awards/student-sponsored-places. 
Photo by Sheila Webber: Christmas tree thrown out, no. 3 (hiding behind the lavender bush), January 2026