October 19-November 13, 2026
Information literacy instruction is a cornerstone of the work many librarians do in academic and other library environments. And this instruction often takes the shape of one-shot sessions, brief class visits, or quick introductions to library resources and services. These brief interactions with students can create challenges for delving more deeply into the complexities and nuances of information literacy. Yet information literacy is arguably one of the most vital sets of skills and dispositions that learners can develop in today’s complex and challenging information landscapes. The ability to think critically, to find and evaluate information, to make informed decisions, to create and share knowledge, to engage in debates and conversations, and to tackle difficult challenges and problems are all deeply vital skills. One of the major challenges for librarians is that our instruction work is often constrained and curtailed in ways that make addressing information literacy challenging.
But what opportunities exist within our current instructional trends and practices for exploring information literacy with our learners, as well as related topics like AI literacy or data literacy? And how can we potentially re-envision and reimagine library instruction to better respond to and address complex topics in our information landscapes, from AI literacy to misinformation to research ethics to privacy literacy?
In this virtual Immersion online course, we will not only discuss and unpack the challenges we often face as instruction librarians but also envision new pedagogical approaches, new instructional activities and topics, and new practices that we can utilize to more deeply engage with our communities around vital issues and interest areas. The Immersion facilitators’ approach in this class will be rooted in aspects of appreciative inquiry, critical reflection, design thinking, and critical information literacy. This course will encourage you to reflect on your own instructional situation and pedagogical identity and to engage as a community to share and brainstorm new ideas.
This course will engage with materials like the newly updated ACRL Framework for Information Literacy, though we will also interrogate other frameworks and resources around related literacies, like AI literacy. We will also ground ourselves in the four cornerstones of the ACRL Immersion curriculum: critical reflective practice, teaching and learning, leadership, and information literacy.
Overview
Week One – We’ll examine the current information landscape, reviewing major trends and issues in information literacy and library instruction. This week highlights where instructional practices are effectively responding to emerging needs — and where they may be falling short.
Week Two – We’ll explore teaching and learning, introducing new pedagogical approaches and methods you can adapt and apply within your own institutional context.
Week Three – We’ll focus on critical reflection, brainstorming new instructional ideas that address key trends in our information environment and align with your own pedagogical identity.
Week Four – We’ll turn to leadership, considering strategies for engaging different audiences, pitching ideas to stakeholders, and promoting your library’s information literacy services and expertise.
Learning Outcomes- Critically analyze trends and issues in our information environment and within information literacy, including issues around ethics, information quality, and the research process
- Identify challenges and opportunities for library instruction amidst trends and issues with our information environment
- Develop ideas for new approaches to library instruction that tackle current issues and challenges in our information environment and that align with library values
- Explore opportunities for building community and collaborations around new instructional approaches in libraries
- Utilize practices including critical reflection to develop deeper understandings of our unique approaches to pedagogy and leadership and our relationship to information literacy instruction
Target Audience
Instruction librarians
Academic librarians
Presenter
Sarah Morris is an ACRL Immersion Program facilitator, librarian, educator, and curriculum designer whose research and work focuses on critical information, media, and AI literacy, mis/disinformation, civic engagement, and library and information science education. Sarah is currently the Director of the Philip Weltner Library and University Librarian at Oglethorpe University. She holds an MA from the University of Chicago and an MSIS from the University of Texas at Austin, and is an alumna of the 2014 Immersion Teacher Track. In addition to her work in libraries, Sarah has worked on curriculum projects with partners that include the Mozilla Foundation, Sage Publishing, and The Carter Center, where she’s served as a media literacy program consultant.
Registration
Pricing is listed to the right on this page. To register, use the register button to checkout.| Number of Seats | Discount |
|---|---|
| 3-15 | 15% |
| 16+ | If you are registering 16 or more individuals, please contact us at ce@ala.org for special rates. |
Tech Requirements
The Virtual Immersion online course will be offered in the ALA LMS; a computer with Internet connection is required. Your participation will require approximately 3-5 hours per week of primarily asynchronous activities to:
- Read the online course materials
- Post to online discussion boards or participate in optional Zoom chats
- Complete weekly exercises and/or final assignment
Participants who complete the course requirements will receive a certificate of completion.
Contact Margot Conahan at mconahan@ala.org with questions or requests for special assistance or accommodations.
