Lessons, tips and strategies for combating mis- and dis-information

CHICAGO — Information has become one of the most crucial commodities in today’s world. From multinational corporations to single individuals, we all make critical decisions based on the information available to us. However, modern ease of access to information does not often guarantee access to good information. In this digital age, where facts can be easily manipulated to align with political, social or monetary aims, media literacy has become an essential skill. “Media Smart: Lessons, Tips and Strategies for Librarians, Classroom Instructors and Other Information Professionals,” published by Facet Publishing and available through the ALA Store, is an invaluable toolkit for navigating the fraught information landscape. From the history of media manipulation to practical applications of media literacy, this book by information literacy expert Joanna M. Burkhardt offers a thorough grounding in teaching students to defend themselves from mis-and dis-information. It discusses how technology affects the information we receive, offers a brief look at the psychology behind how we process information, describes the various means by which media can be manipulated and provides tips about how to recognize and avoid false or misleading information. Numerous classroom exercises and case studies specific to each aspect of media manipulation guide readers in developing their media literacy skills.

Burkhardt is Full Professor/Librarian at the University of Rhode Island Libraries. She is Director of the branch libraries in Providence and Narragansett and the URI Libraries Collection Development Manager. She has taught information literacy to both students and teachers since 1999 as well as given workshops, presentations, podcasts, keynote addresses, and panel discussions on the subject. The coauthor or author of four books about information literacy, including the best-selling “Teaching Information Literacy Reframed: 50+ Framework-Based Exercises for Creating Information-Literate Learners,” she addressed the topic of fake news at the ALA Annual Conference in 2017 and designed a poster and bookmark on that topic for ALA Graphics.

Facet Publishing, the commercial publishing and bookselling arm of CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, is the leading publisher of books for library and information professionals worldwide. Many book retailers and distributors are experiencing service disruptions or delays, including Amazon. For speediest service, order direct from the ALA Store. ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library and information professionals worldwide. ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman publishes resources used by library and information professionals, scholars, students, and educators to improve programs and services, build on best practices, enhance pedagogy, share research, develop leadership, and promote advocacy. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a variety of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman at [email protected].