Boosting Media Literacy in Libraries: A Guide for Librarians

In our digital age, media literacy has become an essential skill. For libraries, this represents a unique opportunity to enhance community knowledge and empower patrons of all ages.  

Understanding Media Literacy 

Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create and act using all forms of communication. In a world where media content influences almost every aspect of life, it’s crucial for individuals to be able to discern and evaluate this content effectively. Libraries, as community hubs of learning and literacy, are perfectly positioned to lead in this educational effort.  

At its core media literacy builds the following skills: 

• Access: Knowing how to gather and find information across different media formats.  
• Analyze: Understanding and decoding the message and techniques used in various media.  
• Evaluate: Critically assessing media sources for credibility, bias, and ethical implications.  
• Create: Producing content and effectively communicating through diverse media platforms.  
• Act: Using media knowledge to engage civically and make informed decisions.  

Key Components of Media Literacy:  

When evaluating media its crucial to consider:  

• Authorship: Who created the message, and what is their purpose?  
• Format: What techniques are used to attract and hold attention?  
• Audience: Who is the intended target for the message and how might different people perceive it?  
• Content: What is the message that is being conveyed?  
• Purpose: Why was this message sent? Is it to inform? Persuade, Entertain, Sell? 

Activities to Promote Media Literacy 

For all ages:  

• Media Literacy Workshops: Organize sessions where patrons learn to identify the creator, purpose, and target of various media messages. Include practical exercises in identifying bias and distinguishing between factual and opinion-based content.  
• Digital Storytelling Projects: Have patrons create their own media content such as videos or blogs, which helps demystify media creation processes and encourages a critical approach to media consumption.  

For Children & Teens:  

• Interactive Story Times: Use digital tools and apps during story time to illustrate the concept of media creation and the differences in how stories can be told across various platforms.  
• Game-Based learning: Implement games that focus on narrative skills and critical thinking, followed by discussions on how these strategies relate to understanding media messages.  

For Adults:  

• Book & Movie Clubs: Compare and contrast books with their movie adaptations, focusing on how the medium shapes the message and the audience’s interpretation.  
• Information Literacy Seminars: Teach effective research strategies, the evaluation of source credibility, and the ethical use of information.  

Recommended Reading List 

Ages 0-5:  

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (App Version): Use both the book and its app version to discuss differences in how stories are presented in print versus digital media.  
• Don’t Press the Button by Bill Cotter: An interactive book that introduces young children to direct engagement with media.  

Ages 6-10:  

• Arthur’s TV Trouble by Marc Brown: This story helps children understand advertising’s persuasive nature and encourages skepticism of media messages.  
• Doug Unplugs on the Farm by Dan Yaccarino: Encourages discussions about life beyond digital screens and the value of real-world experiences.  

Teens:  

• Feed by M.T. Anderson: A novel that provokes thought about media saturation and its implications for personal autonomy and society.  
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Book & Movie): Discuss the nuances of storytelling in print and film exploring themes of perception and media manipulation.  

Adults:  

• Amusing Ourselves to Death by Niel Postman: A critical look at how television has transformed public discourse.  
• The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr: Examines the cognitive effects of the internet, fostering discussions on media’s impact on attention and thought processes.  

By educating patrons on how to navigate and analyze media, libraries not only enhance individual understanding but also foster a more informed and discerning community. Whether through fun interactive sessions for kids or critical discussions for adults, libraries can be the cornerstone of media literacy education in every community.