Information literacy and combating disinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic

an analysis of the university libraries of health sciences at UFMG

Abstract

During the health crisis experienced from March 2020 onwards, there was a widespread dissemination of false and inaccurate information related to health practices, such as protective measures and vaccination. The following study investigates actions taken during the Covid-19 pandemic by librarians in coping with these events by promoting information literacy. The actions came from academic health sciences libraries, from UFMG. A bibliographical review of theories about disinformation, information literacy and the role of librarians in this context was carried out. Data were collected by a questionnaire presented to library managers. In face of the answers, the content analysis proposed by Bardin (2016) was adopted, in addition to qualitative-quantitative, descriptive and exploratory methodology. It is considered that information literacy was employed with a focus on technical skills. There were challenges perceived by libraries in the transition to the online environment. The actions of the School of Pharmacy Library in promoting information literacy stand out, touching multiple dimensions of the model proposed by Vitorino and Piantola (2011), in addition to the Selective Dissemination of Information of health and social relevance in its social media. Finally, the role of librarians in combating misinformation is highlighted, through actions focused on education, mediation, and dissemination of information, based on information literacy.