I’m obsessed with quick and free information. I’ll admit that. Just as much, I’m obsessed with what that means for the public. Democracies thrive off of an informed, voting populace. It comes as a paradox then that increasing information accessibility doesn’t guarantee it’s quality. Only it’s volume.

If you turn up the volume to a bad song, its still going to suck. Sorry Milli Vanilli. You can sing “Girl You Know” as loud as you want, but that won’t help.

So, how can we solve this problem? I’m not sure but it seems to me that Librarians need to start pushing educators to emphasize the scientific method (and basic principles of evidence) more. It’s not enough to know how to research things. People can find anything they want. Instead, the public needs to be able to: 1) test the information they find and 2) be able to identify how well reasoned it is. Because not every question can be tested, the second skill will likely be used more often than the first.

As to the first? I can’t help but wonder, “are there ways to better test the validity of online information?” Is there a way to apply the scientific method that integrates clearly into the electronic environment?

A few weeks ago, Robert Darnton – the Director of Harvard’s libraries – wrote an editorial for the New York Times. Recently, a judge overruled the now (in)famous Google Books settlement, and Mr. Darnton wisely reiterated what appears to be everyone’s vision. A universal, free, and public digital library. I suggest you take a moment to reflect on this vision.

It’s the public library movement of our time.