Call for Chapters
The Practical
Literacies Cookbook (ACRL) Edited by Haley L. Lott
The Association of College and Research Libraries
(ACRL) is accepting “recipe” (chapter) proposals on instructional activities for teaching skills
that extend information literacy and connect
it to other essential areas of student learning for The Practical Literacies Cookbook, edited by Haley L. Lott.
This volume will feature practice-based lesson
plans, activities, and programs that help undergraduates build the durable,
adaptable skills needed to thrive in college and beyond. Drawing on the
foundations of information literacy, the Practical
Literacies Cookbook highlights the critical
role libraries play in preparing
students for life after college
while also supporting media,
civic, financial, legal, and professional literacies. Organized into four
sections, the volume focuses on skills that can be realistically incorporated
into time- constrained library instruction and outreach. Proposals are welcome
that capture library collaborations with other campus units such as student
success centers, academic advising,
career services, residence life, etc.
Proposals are due by November
14, 2025.
We are seeking 500–700 word proposals for recipes
or chapters on practice-based examples of lesson
plans, activities, or programs that extend information literacy into other areas of student learning. Recipes
will generally follow the ACRL Cookbook Format. Your proposal can be related to
the following four key areas:
Section 1: Critical Engagement with Information and Society
This section features lesson plans and activities
that teach students how to evaluate media, detect misinformation, and engage
with civic issues. Recipes will highlight how information shapes public
discourse and provide strategies for responsible participation in society.
Sample topics include:
- Detecting misinformation and viral spread
- Understanding polls and surveys
- Diversifying one’s media diet
- Fact-checking and the SIFT method
- Practicing civil discourse
- Knowing your rights in civic action
- Advocacy strategies and grassroots organizing
Section 2: Building a Strong Financial
Foundation
This section features lesson plans and
activities that cover essential money management
skills, including budgeting,
saving, credit scores, student loans, and financial decision- making. Recipes in
this section should help students understand banking, financial aid, and
cost-eYective living strategies. Note:
This section provides guidance on finding and accessing quality financial
information, but does not oAer financial advice.
Sample topics include:
- Budgeting basics
- Managing credit scores
- Subscription traps and hidden costs
- Banking basics
- Understanding tax forms
- Freelancing in the gig economy
- Beginner investments
- Cryptocurrency basics
Section
3: Understanding Rights,
Responsibilities, and Contracts
This section features lesson plans and activities
that explore legal literacies, covering essential knowledge of contracts, tenant rights, workplace
protections, copyright and fair
use, and navigating legal resources. Recipes should provide guidance on finding
credible legal information but not oYer legal advice.
Sample topics include:
- Understanding everyday legal documents
- Digital privacy rights
- Reading the fine print
- Finding credible legal information
- Copyright and fair use
- Tenant rights and responsibilities
- ADA accommodations in the workplace
Section 4: Designing Meaningful Careers and Futures
This section features lesson plans and activities
that focus on preparing students for employment, covering résumés, interviews,
networking, professional communication, workplace expectations, and salary
negotiation. Recipes should equip students to confidently transition into
professional environments and adapt to evolving career pathways.
Sample topics include:
- Planning career growth
- Salary negotiation
- Résumé preparation
- Cover letter writing
- Networking skills
- Professional communication
- Navigating workplace expectations
- Managing the transition into a first job
Proposals should be between 500-700 words in length
and include a chapter title, audience description, learning objectives
connected to the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy (if applicable), the
length of the activity or activities in minutes (if applicable), a general description of the activity, lesson, event, or curriculum map, and an indication of how the activity will be
assessed.
We encourage proposals from first-time authors,
paraprofessional staY, and contributors
from underrepresented or marginalized groups.
Have a creative idea that doesn’t seem to
fit? Reach out to the editor at PracticalLiteracies@gmail.com to explore where it might belong.
Submit proposals by November 14, 2025, via this form:
https://tinyurl.com/PracticalLiteraciesCookbook
Contributors will be notified of their proposal’s
status by December 18th, 2025. The deadline to submit the first draft of accepted
chapters for revision
is February 15th, 2026.
