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Public Libraries: The Untapped Frontline Against Misinformation – New Research Calls for National Action
In an era where falsehoods spread faster than facts, eroding public trust and destabilising democratic discourse, new research led by the University of Stirling reveals that one of the UK’s most trusted civic institutions—the public library—is uniquely positioned to become a powerful bulwark against the rising tides of misinformation and disinformation. Yet, the same study, commissioned by Arts Council England and believed to be the first of its kind in the United Kingdom, paints a sobering picture of unfulfilled potential. While library staff are deeply committed and the public holds libraries in high regard as impartial community anchors, the sector is hamstrung by a critical lack of training, dedicated resources, strategic partnerships, and consistent national policy. The result is a workforce that witnesses the corrosive effects of false information daily but feels ill‑equipped and unsupported to mount a coordinated response. The consequent report, “The Role of the Public Library in Combating Misinformation and Disinformation: A Review and Action Plan,” authored by Professor Steven Buchanan of the University of Stirling and Professor David McMenemy of the University of Glasgow, does not merely catalogue these deficits. It offers a clear, four‑point action plan designed to transform public libraries from passive bystanders into active, recognised pillars of a national defence against information disorder, urging policymakers to make a strategic investment in what could be one of society’s strongest, most accessible lines of defence.
The problem the report addresses is both pervasive and pernicious. Misinformation—inaccurate or incomplete information shared without malicious intent—and disinformation—deliberately fabricated or manipulated content created to deceive—have become defining challenges of the twenty‑first century. They undermine public health campaigns, distort electoral processes, fuel social polarisation, and erode the very fabric of informed citizenship. In the UK, as elsewhere, the consequences are visible: from vaccine hesitancy to the proliferation of conspiracy theories about governance and climate change. Traditional media gatekeepers have weakened, and the digital ecosystem rewards engagement over accuracy. In this context, the report argues, public libraries are not just a nostalgic resource but a vital piece of the social infrastructure. They are, after all, the one of the few remaining universally trusted, non‑commercial, physical spaces where anyone can walk in, ask a question, and receive guidance without a sales pitch or a hidden algorithm. Libraries have historically been in the business of curating and providing access to reliable information; the digital age demands that this role evolve into active information literacy education. The research underscores that libraries already deliver digital skills training, help with online forms, and run community learning sessions. These are precisely the touchpoints where conversations about how to spot a misleading headline or verify a source can naturally occur. The study surveyed 372 public library staff across England and conducted in‑depth qualitative interviews, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the sector’s current capacity. The results were stark: while the workforce is experienced and often holds postgraduate qualifications in librarianship, the vast majority had received no specific training on how to identify, understand, or counter misinformation and disinformation. Most reported that their libraries did not provide dedicated guides, booklits, or educational materials on the topic. Furthermore, many staff were either unaware of any partnerships with fact‑checking organisations, media literacy charities, or academic institutions working in this field, or reported that no such partnerships existed. This lack of institutional support means that anti‑misinformation work is, at best, ad hoc and dependent on individual initiative.
The consequences of this systemic gap are felt in the everyday work of librarians. The study found that the majority of library staff are rarely, if ever, involved in activities explicitly designed to address misinformation and disinformation. When they do encounter it—for instance, when a patron insists on the validity of a debunked health claim—they often lack the confidence or the clear operational guidelines to intervene effectively. Staff reported a broad range of challenges that limit what they can realistically achieve. These include chronic understaffing, competing priorities (such as digital inclusion, homelessness support, and children’s programmes), and a perceived tension between the professional value of neutrality and the need to correct false information. On the latter point, the research uncovered a genuine philosophical debate within the profession: should a librarian directly tell a patron they are wrong, or should they simply offer alternative sources and let the patron decide? Some staff feared that taking an active stance against misinformation could alienate users or be seen as partisan. Others worried about their own ability to distinguish between fact and opinion in complex, emotionally charged topics. As a result of all these factors—lack of training, resources, clear policy, and dedicated time—most participants in the study did not believe their library was successfully addressing misinformation and disinformation in its local community. Many felt that their institution was not doing all it could, and they expressed a clear desire for more support. Despite the challenges, a significant majority of staff affirmed that public libraries should play an active, frontline role in tackling the problem. They saw it as a natural extension of the library’s core mission: to enable informed decision‑making and to defend democratic access to knowledge. This finding is crucial: it shows that the workforce is not resistant to change but is, instead, waiting for leadership and investment to unlock its potential. The gap is not one of will or goodwill, but of infrastructure and policy.
The report’s authors are emphatic that the solution lies not in expecting individual libraries to invent their own responses from scratch, but in creating a coherent, nationally coordinated framework that leverages existing trust and expertise. Professor Steven Buchanan, the lead researcher, noted that while the findings highlight significant shortcomings, they also reveal a committed and knowledgeable workforce that understands the unique civic role libraries can play. “Libraries are among the UK’s most trusted public institutions,” he said, “and are well positioned to help people navigate today’s increasingly complex information environment.” He stressed, however, that without the right national investment and coordination, that potential will remain unrealised. To bridge this gap, the researchers propose four concrete actions. First, a national programme of education and training for all public library staff on the nature of misinformation and disinformation, including how to identify common tropes, understand the psychology of belief, and communicate effectively with patrons. Second, the creation of a national open‑access repository of resources—lesson plans, handouts, digital tools, display materials, and curated reading lists—that any library can download, adapt, and use locally, reducing duplication and ensuring consistency. Third, the development of a national partnership agreement that formalises collaboration between the library sector and organisations such as Full Fact, the BBC, the National Literacy Trust, academic researchers, and local authorities. Such partnerships could bring expert speakers into libraries, provide verified content, and create referral pathways for patrons needing deeper support. Fourth, the introduction of a national library policy and operational guidance that sets a clear, consistent framework for how libraries should address misinformation and disinformation. This would resolve the neutrality dilemma by providing an evidence‑based ethical stance: the library’s role is not to impose opinions but to provide the tools and skills for critical evaluation, and that mission is not neutral but actively democratic. Together, these measures would transform libraries from isolated outposts into a connected, empowered network capable of scaling up their impact across the entire country.
Professor David McMenemy of the University of Glasgow, a leading expert on information ethics and policy, delivered a powerful call to arms based on the study’s findings. He argued that public libraries could be “one of our strongest defences against misinformation, but only if we invest in them as one.” His statement captured the frustration and hope that characterises the report. “Staff told us again and again: we are seeing the effects of this in our libraries, we care about this, we just don’t have what we need – and that’s a failing of policy, not of library staff,” he said. This distinction is critical. The report does not blame librarians for the current state of affairs; rather, it identifies a policy vacuum that has left a valuable asset underutilised. The implication is clear: the will and the frontline expertise exist; what is missing is the systemic support to turn good intentions into consistent, effective action. Professor McMenemy’s intervention also highlights the urgency of the issue. Misinformation and disinformation are not abstract theoretical problems; they manifest in real‑world harm—people refusing medical treatment, falling for financial scams, spreading hateful narratives, and losing faith in democratic institutions. Libraries, as the most local and accessible of public services, are often where the first ripples of these harms are felt. A patron might ask about a suspicious email, challenge a news story, or express confusion about conflicting information on a health website. Every such interaction is a teachable moment, a chance to build resilience against falsehood. But without trained staff and ready resources, that moment is often lost. The report’s call is, therefore, not merely about improving library services; it is about strengthening the democratic fabric of society by equipping citizens with the critical thinking skills needed to navigate the modern information ecosystem. It positions libraries not as a relic of the past but as an essential and forward‑looking component of the UK’s digital and civic infrastructure, one that reaches into every community, regardless of wealth or education level.
The response from Arts Council England, which funded the research, was unequivocal in its endorsement. Luke Burton, the Director of Libraries, stated that libraries and their workers are “ideally positioned to support us in addressing some of the biggest challenges societies face, whether that is responding to climate change, tackling censorship, or combating misinformation and disinformation.” He emphasised that the research provides a “robust evidence base” for understanding both the challenges and the opportunities, and that it will guide how the Arts Council channels its resources in the future. “This research is the first study of its kind in the UK,” Burton noted, “and offers a more detailed understanding of how we can support this trusted nationwide network of social, cultural, and digital infrastructure.” The wording is significant. By labeling libraries as “infrastructure,” the Arts Council positions them alongside roads, broadband, and energy grids—essential public goods that require strategic planning and investment, not ad hoc support. The report is now a key document for policymakers at both national and local levels. Its recommendations are concrete and costed only in terms of coordination and political will. Establishing a national training programme and a repository of resources is not an unaffordable ambition; it is a sensible, scalable investment that would yield returns in public trust, community resilience, and reduced societal harm. The report also indirectly challenges the broader media literacy landscape in the UK, which has often been fragmented between charities, tech companies, and sporadic government campaigns. By proposing that libraries become a structured delivery channel for media literacy, the report offers a solution that leverages an existing, trusted, and geographically comprehensive network. It does not ask for libraries to become something entirely new, but to formalise and resource a role they are already being asked to fill informally. As the report itself concludes, the potential is enormous. The gap between that potential and current reality is not a chasm; it is a manageable distance that can be bridged by informed policy decisions. The question now is whether the political system will seize this opportunity. With misinformation continuing to erode trust and polarise communities, the cost of inaction is high. The university of Stirling and Glasgow report provides a roadmap. The next step is for government, funding bodies, and library leadership to commit to the journey. If they do, the humble public library—that quiet, book‑scented sanctuary on the high street—could become one of the most powerful weapons in the fight for truth.
