We all want to make good decisions for ourselves and our families. Every day we read news, watch videos, receive messages, and scroll through social media. There is more information available than ever before, but not all of it is accurate.
Library and Information Week 2026 (27 July – 2 August) explores this challenge through the theme Truth Be Told: Shining a Light on Misinformation and Disinformation. It encourages all of us to think critically about the information we see and share.
Sometimes incorrect information is shared by accident. Sometimes it is created to confuse or mislead people. New technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), can also create text, images, videos, and voices that look real, making it harder to tell what is true.
The good news is that you do not need to be a technology expert to spot the warning signs. A few simple habits can help you feel more confident online.
1. Take a Moment Before You Share
If something surprises you or makes you feel worried, excited, or angry, take a moment before sharing it.
Strong emotions can make us react quickly, but they can also make it easier for misinformation to spread. Taking a few extra seconds to think before you share can help protect your family, friends, and community from false or misleading information.
2. Check More Than One Source
Don’t rely on a single post, video, or headline.
If something seems important or surprising, see whether other trusted organisations or news sources are reporting the same information. Looking at more than one source can help you separate facts from opinions, rumours, or misleading claims.
3. Be AI Aware
AI can help people write, translate, create images, and answer questions. It can also be used to create content that is incorrect or misleading.
That does not mean all AI content is false. It does mean it is worth checking important information before accepting it as fact.
If you are unsure, compare what you see with information from trusted organisations, government services, or your library.
4. Look a Little Deeper
Not everything online is created to inform. Some content is designed to attract attention, encourage clicks, or influence opinions.
Ask yourself:
- Who created this?
- What evidence supports it?
- Is there another explanation?
- Does it seem too good, too shocking, or too outrageous to be true?
A little curiosity can go a long way in helping you make informed decisions.
5. Your Library is Here to Help
You do not have to work everything out on your own.
Libraries are trusted places where people can ask questions, learn new skills, and find reliable information. If you’re using a smartphone for the first time or learning about AI, library staff are here to help.
Everyone starts somewhere, and every question is welcome.
Truth Be Told
Finding trustworthy information is becoming more important every day. By slowing down, asking questions, and checking the facts, we can all make more informed choices online.
Your library is here to support you with reliable information, digital skills, and practical help to navigate the online world with confidence.
Together, we can build a community that is informed, connected, and confident.
What’s On
Decoding Democracy: AI influence in the Media
Explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping truth, misinformation, and democracy in the media.
Join academic and writer Cory Alpert for a discussion on how AI is changing the way information is created, shared, and understood—and what this means for the future of democracy.
Cory Alpert is a PhD researcher at the University of Melbourne studying the impact of AI on democracy. He previously served in the Biden-Harris Administration for three years.
Date: Thu 30 July 2026
Time: 6.00-7.30pm
Where: Sunshine Library
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning
Want to learn more about artificial intelligence but not sure where to start? LinkedIn Learning offers thousands of free online courses to help you understand AI, build digital skills, and explore how technology can support everyday tasks.
Learn how AI works, how it can be used responsibly, and how to recognise the ways AI-generated content can contribute to misinformation. Access LinkedIn Learning for free with your library membership.
