When Leadership Falls Short: The Crisis of Care in Library Work
Posted on in Blog Posts
Why Health Sciences Librarians Matter in the Fight Against Misinformation
Posted on June 23, 2026 in Blog Posts
Authors:
Jamia Williams
As a health sciences librarian, I often think about misinformation. It is impossible not to. It shows up in social media posts, viral TikToks, YouTube videos, group chats, and even in spaces that appear credible at first glance. Health information moves quickly online, and unfortunately, misinformation often moves even faster. What makes this especially concerning is that health information is deeply personal. The things people read can influence decisions about medications, treatment plans, mental health, vaccines, nutrition, parenting, and overall well-being. Because of that, misinformation is not just an information problem; it is a public health issue.
Libraries have an important role to play in this conversation. As information professionals, we are uniquely positioned to help people navigate overwhelming amounts of information while also supporting them rather than judging them. I think that part matters a lot. Many people are not intentionally seeking false information. Often, they are scared, overwhelmed, confused, or simply trying to find answers quickly. In this blog post, I will discuss how libraries can become places of guidance and trust.
Libraries as Spaces of Support
One of the reasons this topic feels so important to me is that libraries are often one of the few spaces where people can ask questions without fear of embarrassment. As a health sciences librarian, I have seen how much trust people place in librarians when they are trying to make sense of confusing information. That trust is meaningful. It reminds me that our work is not only about providing access to information but also about helping people feel empowered enough to evaluate what they encounter.
Organizations like the Medical Library Association and resources such as San Diego State University’s Health Misinformation Toolkit highlight the growing role libraries play in addressing misinformation and supporting information literacy efforts. As information professionals, we are equipped to help people navigate the overwhelming volume of health information. Also, we can continue to sharpen our skills so that we are aware of the many pitfalls in health information that can make it look authentic.
Teaching Critical Thinking in a Digital World
For me, one of the most powerful tools libraries can offer is health information literacy. I see this as helping people slow down and ask better questions. Who created this information? What evidence supports it? Is the source current? Was it reviewed by experts? These questions may sound simple, but they can completely change how someone interprets a health claim.
In a digital environment where algorithms reward speed and emotional reactions, critical thinking becomes even more important. Resources like George Washington University’s misinformation guide and Melissa Laidman’s piece “Keeping Up With . . . Misinformation and News Literacy” provide strong examples of how librarians are teaching these skills in meaningful ways. We live in an age where we have access to an abundance of information, and we just need to continue honing our skills for navigating and evaluating it. Lastly, teaching these information literacy skills is a game changer, so that when people do have conversations with their health care providers, those conversations can be more robust.
Why Collaboration Matters
Another thing I think about often is how important collaboration is in this work. Libraries cannot address misinformation alone. Partnerships with clinicians, public health workers, educators, and community organizations are essential. These collaborations help ensure that the information being shared is accurate, culturally responsive, and relevant to the communities being served. Libraries can strengthen their impact through community partnerships and outreach efforts.
Health sciences librarians can collaborate with health care providers by ensuring that medical materials are written in plain language. Medical information can often be filled with jargon, technical terms, and complex concepts that may be difficult for many individuals to understand. Writing in plain language helps make health information more accessible, allowing people from diverse educational backgrounds and literacy levels to better understand their health conditions and treatment options. It can improve health literacy by empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their care and reducing confusion or misunderstandings. Plain language can also improve health outcomes because people are more likely to follow instructions, take medications correctly, and engage in preventive health behaviors when they clearly understand the information being shared with them.
I think those partnerships are especially important because combating misinformation requires trust, and trust is often built collectively. There are so many great organizations in our communities doing work on literacy. Consider partnering with them to start teaching the youth about the importance of health literacy. This is one way we can also support our school librarians.
Closing Reflections
For me, this conversation is also part of something much larger. Health misinformation is only one piece of the broader misinformation and disinformation landscape, but it is an especially powerful place to begin because it affects nearly every aspect of daily life. Looking at this issue through the lens of library work reminds me that librarianship is not just about information access. It is also about caring about how people navigate difficult questions.
I also believe libraries can help simply by making reliable information easier to access. Most people are not looking for a deep literature review when they search for health information. They are usually looking for clear answers they can trust. That is why pointing people toward evidence-based resources matters so much. Tools like MedlinePlus, PubMed, and ClinicalTrials.gov help connect users with information grounded in research rather than speculation or fear. Libraries can also support this work through workshops, research guides, outreach programming, and one-on-one instruction that helps people feel more confident in navigating health information online.
At the end of the day, combating health misinformation is not about correcting every false statement on the internet. That would be impossible. Instead, I think the goal is to help people build stronger habits around evaluating information while creating pathways to sources they can trust. Libraries are uniquely positioned to support that work, and as a health sciences librarian, I believe that responsibility is both meaningful and necessary. In health sciences environments specifically, misinformation can affect students, researchers, clinicians, and patients alike. That makes the librarian’s role even more significant. Librarians help users evaluate sources, identify predatory publishing practices, recognize unsupported claims, and stay grounded in evidence-based practice.
About the author:
Jamia Williams (she/her) is a health sciences librarian. She is also the co-creator and co-host of the podcast LibVoices and the founder of The Diversity Fellow’s blog.
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