Working one‑on‑one with someone who holds information that may be inaccurate or otherwise difficult to verify can be challenging for any library worker. A researcher from the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public (CIP) and a librarian from the Dallas Public Library will provide a brief overview of factors that influence why people trust certain information, as well as approaches library staff can use when interacting with patrons. By the end of this session, attendees will feel more confident engaging one‑on‑one with patrons in situations involving information that may require clarification or further evaluation.

Presented by:

• Stacey Wedlake, Research Scientist, University of Washington Information School
• Kristen Calvert, Programs and Partnerships Manager, Dallas Public Library

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Related resources and links

• University of Washington's Empowering Informed Communities Resource Hub - https://cip.uw.edu/eic/
• Deadly Disinformation Crime Scene - https://programminglibrarian.org/programs/crime-scene-investigation-deadly-disinformation-series
• Digital Literacy program ideas - AI Shakespeare and others - https://programminglibrarian.org/articles/ai-shakespeare-family-trees-10-unique-program-ideas-teach-digital-literacy
• Your Vote Rocks: Unity Concert -https://dallaslibrary.librarymarket.com/event/unity-concert-358559
• More Unity Concert information -https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts-culture/dallas-public-library-will-have-a-parks-and-rec-themed-unity-concert-20214980/
• Media Makers: Inside the Newsroom -https://dallaslibrary.librarymarket.com/event/media-makers-inside-newsroom-dallas-morning-news-422271
• More Inside the Newsroom information -https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2025/03/18/inside-the-newsroom-learn-how-the-dallas-morning-news-is-made-at-this-april-event/
• ALA's Media LIteracy Education in Libraries for Adult Audiences -https://www.ala.org/tools/programming/MediaLiteracy
• PEN America Trusted Messenger Guidebook - https://pen.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-Disinformation-Conversation-Guide_updated-11-4-1.pdf
• Pulitzer on the Road - https://www.ala.org/tools/programming/pulitzer
• Facts, Not Fighting: How to Talk about Misinformation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR1qPMW-VHA
• Media Literacy - A Guide for Library Staff - developed by Kristen Calvert, Dallas Public Library (ppt)
• Terms for Problematic Information -https://datasociety.net/pubs/oh/DataAndSociety_LexiconofLies.pdf
• The News Literacy Project - a tool for educating youth - https://newslit.org/
• Ideology And Utopia: An Introduction to the Sociology of Knowledge by Karl  Mannheim
• FAIK: A practical guide to living in a world of deepfakes, disinformation, and AI-generated Deceptions by Perry Carpenter 
• Caulfield, Mike, & Wineburg, Sam (2023). Verified: How to think straight, get duped less, and make better decisions about what to believe online by Mike Caulfiend and Sam Wineberg.  
• Otis, Cindy L. (2020). True or False: A CIA analyst’s guide to spotting fake news by Cindy L. Otis.