In a review of the Gartner, Inc. Report titled “The
Consequences of Fake Fans, ‘Likes’ and Reviews on Social Networks”, Paula Hane,
after describing herself as a media skeptic, states that even she was shocked
by the results of this study.
According to the report, by 2014, 10 - 15 percent of
social media reviews of products will be faked, paid for by the companies who
have a vested interest in selling their goods and services. Instances are cited of individuals being paid
to delete negative reviews and authors using pseudonyms to write reviews of
their own books.
This makes information literacy – and the role of
librarians – all the more important.
The Association of College and Research Libraries
approved a definition of Information Literacy at the Midwinter Meeting of the
American Libraries Association in January 2000, which reads, in part,
“information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize
when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate and use
effectively the needed information” (para 1).
The definition goes on to more fully describe an
information literate individual as someone able to
·
Determine the extent of information needed
·
Access the needed information effectively and efficiently
·
Evaluate information and its sources critically
·
Incorporate selected information into one’s knowledge base
·
Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
·
Understand the economic, legal and social issues surrounding the use of
information, and access and use information ethically and legally
(Association
of College and Research Libraries, 2000, para. 2)
In their article “Providing Health Information to
Community Members Where They Are: Characteristics of the Culturally Competent
Librarian”, authors Nancy Ottman Press and Mary Diggs-Hobson (2005) suggest
that, though the librarian can be a key player in helping community members
access health information, it might be more appropriate for them to play a role
behind the scenes. The authors cite
several sources to corroborate their belief that individuals who are members of
the community being served are the most effective at educating their friends
and neighbors.
Assuming that the librarian is not a member of the
group being targeted for services, his/her role can be one of training the
trainer. As a specialist in information literacy and having a vested interest
in ensuring that the community has access to the highest quality, most current,
and relevant sources, he/she is in the perfect position to offer workshops and
support to individuals working with their respective constituents.
When I was involved in community philanthropy, I
had the opportunity to see the train the trainer model work very effectively.
For example: the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA) funded Pio
Decimo/St. Elizabeth’s Health Center fledgling promotoras program. Women who were leaders in South Tucson were
recruited and trained by health professionals to reach out to their neighbors
and share information about basic care and other related issues (the need for
mammograms, diet and the prevention of diabetes, etc.). CFSA also funded the Southern Arizona AIDS
Foundation (SAAF) to recruit and train gay men living in Nogales, AZ to pass
out condoms, do confidential testing, and share other appropriate information
when visiting bars on Friday and Saturday nights. These efforts were much more effective in
spreading important health information than if a SAAF or St. Elizabeth’s staff
member had conducted the outreach program.
This approach could work very well in Old Marana
where the Geasa-Marana Branch Library is located. Because staff is stretched
thin and hours are limited, it would be difficult for the librarian to spend
time on Sundays at local churches or be available to patients on site at the
health clinic. However, he/she could work with groups of clinic and church staff
members or program volunteers at the library computer lab, teaching the skills
needed to become information literate, and encouraging them to follow-up with
him/her as needed on an individual basis.
By building partnerships with community
professionals in a variety of fields, the librarian can strengthen programs,
empower individuals, and reinforce the importance of information literacy.
References
Association of College and
Research Libraries. (2000). Information literacy competency standards for
higher education. Retrieved from
Hane, P. (2012, November).
Social media news and reviews. Information
today, 29(10), 10.
Press, N. &
Diggs-Hobson, M. (2005). Providing health information to community members
where they are: characteristics of the culturally competent librarian. Library Trends, 53(3), 397-410.
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