Chapter 4 Learning Objectives

After completing this chapter, the reader should have an understanding of:

• how community is defined from interdisciplinary and information science perspectives;

• how four global developments resulted in the collapse of traditional community and the rise of a disinformation pandemic; and

• how information professionals, as frontline workers, are leading community resilience.

Chapter 4 Instructor PowerPoint

Downloadable PowerPoint presentation and PowerPoint notes for course instruction. These files are only accessible to instructors who have adopted Information Services Today: An Introduction (3rd ed) for their course. To request access, please click on the images below or email Sandy Hirsh.

Chapter 4 Discussion Questions

The following questions are included in the textbook.

1. What are the biggest current and future threats to information and community?

2. What will community look like in ten years and what role will information and technology play?

Additional questions proposed by the author but not included in the textbook.

1. How have you and your library users’ communities and information grounds been affected by the factors described in this chapter?

2. How can libraries support the rebuilding of community post-pandemic?

3. What new or refined information and digital literacy skills are needed for post-pandemic life?

4. What does a realigned pivot look like for the future in communities and public libraries?

5. How can libraries transform themselves further? Is a complete rebranding needed? How will that happen?

6. What are the possibilities for post-pandemic global community?

Related Chapters

The following chapters are referenced in Chapter 4 and may assist in expanding your classroom instruction and discussions.

• Chapter 6: Social Justice

• Chapter 7: Equity of Access, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Chapter 10: Community Anchors for Lifelong Learning: Public Libraries

• Chapter 23: Community Resilience

• Chapter 26: The Design Thinking Process