As a teen librarian, one of the things I’ve tried hard to battle is the authority of friends and peers as fact sources. I’ve heard some doozies, ranging from Little Golden Books being the “first ever published” versions of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, to “POW-MIA was a famous Native American.” (In that case it was pronounced as pow-meeah.)
There is something similar in all these tales: all questions were prefaced with “my friend said.” As an information professional, I’m obligated to put on a poker face, suspend my own opinions and guide the person toward an information source that will give an unbiased perspective.
Throughout high school and college, we are taught to think critically and search for facts on our own. Unfortunately, a visit to Facebook tells me we have forgotten those lessons. The recent Facebook rumor of Morgan Freeman’s death is one example. Another example is the reposting of “facts” about threats to our computer and personal security through email or social media. Removal of the imaginary problem is often the chanting of an incantation, or, even easier, a quick copy and paste of an RCW, US Code, etc.
The internet memes with political misinformation down to how much the first lady’s shoes may or may not have cost or a misquote by a Nobel winner are especially viral. Politicians no longer need to sling mud; fans on Facebook do it for them. As a public, we seem to believe these facts and figures because they were shared by our friends. My friend said it, so it must be true.
This is relevant not only in the final weeks before the upcoming election, but always. Too often the ease of copying and sending, or liking and sharing on social media sites continues to spread misinformation.
Librarians are the original fact checkers. Remember to stop in for reference questions or help for census data, government policy or government documents. Whether or not we vote for the same party, our mission remains true: we provide free, open and equal access to ideas and information to all members of the community.
I still like my Facebook friends. I just don’t believe a word they post.
Darcy Brixey is the teen services librarian at the Bellevue Library. She’d like to tell you she loves to read, but it’s an expectation of the job.
