CFP: Practical Literacies Cookbook
Haley Lott
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-effective living strategies. Note: This section provides guidance on finding and accessing quality financial information, but does not offer 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 offer
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 staff, and contributors from underrepresented or marginalized groups. Have a creative idea that doesn’t seem to fit? Reach out to the editor at Practical...@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.