I proposed this issue as a possible topic of discussion for NMM in Portland
(October 2017) at our NMM board retreat on November 30. This was just after the
release of the report from the Stanford study finding that students (middle
school, high school, college) are woefully lacking skills to determine the
credibility of "news" stories.
http://www.npr.org/2016/11/22/503052574/stanford-study-finds-most-students-vulnerable-to-fake-news
At Hofstra, one of the most viewed videos in our Films on Demand collection is
called "Internet Research-what's credible" and another that's very popular is a
TED talk "Beware of online filter bubbles."
I would like to have some discussion around what we (NMM particularly) as
librarians, content selectors and consumers, content creators, content
distributors, can do collaboratively to have a positive impact on this problem.
The fake news phenomenon is going to require multifaceted approaches.
Sarah McCleskey, Board Chair, National Media Market
Head of Access Services
Hofstra University Library
On Dec 23, 2016, at 4:38 AM, Elizabeth McMahon
mailto:elizmcma...@gmail.com>> wrote:
Dear Videolibers,
I am going to broach this topic, because no one else has, which has left me
shocked. Given the "normalization" of fake news, and our "post-factual"
reality, how has not one librarian here brought this up? I am frankly shocked!
I have no other word. How has this listserv missed this topic for discussion?
How people evaluate information? It's the core of the profession, regardless of
format. To me, it seems more urgent than ever that we have a primer in the
basic understanding of what information is, and what facts are. And information
gathering is. Is this not the very core of librarianship?Authoritative, vetted
sources? High standards and scrupulous care that what we approve meets strict
criteria? What IS that criteria? That hasn't been discussed here, if ever. I am
having a crisis of confidence, in general, an existential one, some hubris (I
don't think so), about librarianship's role in mitigating this very public
handwringing. Why have none jumped? Are we not the purpoted experts in
evaluating information, and especially, its sources? Seriously, are we
obsolete? The word "curate" for programming, was co-opted years ago. And not a
peep. Everyone's a curator, a librarian, is that it? Someone tell me, is it?
I feel better.
Elizabeth McMahon
Former completely excellent film, video, audio librarian and moving image
preservationist at Donnell Library Center, which was sold because the whole
goddamned Board of NYPL are/were RE scions and sold the 53 year old ***public
library*** for $38m to become a high end hotel/condo valuated now at over one
billion. $1b.(Mid Manhattan property) With a eunuched, pseudo library in its
intestines. This is the trend. THIS IS THE TREND. I know it's confusing,
because it seems ostensibly about RE, but it's not. It's about control. And
power. Yes, I know this seems crazy, but I only say it because I've experienced
it. Information is power, a rote saying. But think about it. I am asking you to
contemplate that, like your life hinged on doing that. The larger picture
being, annahilite access to truth. Libraries equal information/truth equals
destruction. And PS, you're next
$1b
Water is next.
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control,
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and
distributors.
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues
relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control,
preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and
related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective
working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication
between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and
distributors.
