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Why We Trust Libraries
It’s not just the books
I love it when I find research that answers a question I didn’t know I cared about.
We trust libraries and librarians. That much seems a given.
But why? If you’re new to my articles, I should be clear that I’m a bit of a trust-nerd, so this is a question that interests me!
My first answer when I saw paper by Morgan Adle (2025) was, ‘well, because, you know, they’re libraries….and, you know, trust and that’.
In short, I wasn’t at my most eloquent. Though I hadn’t had my second coffee when I read the paper.
Rather than relying on intuition or slogans, Adle systematically examines qualitative and quantitative studies to offer a comprehensive picture. The findings are not only interesting for people like me who research trust, but offer lessons for any organization seeking to build or maintain public trust.
Let me know in the comments why you trust libraries (if you do!).
Libraries Are Reliable Information Providers
One of the most consistent reasons people trust libraries is their reputation for offering accurate and reliable information. According to a Pew Research Center study, 78% of American adults believe that libraries help them find…
