In a world of social media, AI-generated content, online advertising, and a constant stream of news, it can be difficult and overwhelming to know what to trust.
While misinformation isn’t always intentionally misleading, disinformation is deliberately created to deceive you. What’s important is learning how to tell the difference and where to turn for trusted information.
Get started with our curated Library and Information Week reading list, including classic novels, award-winning journalism and non-fiction that charts a course from facts to fake.
Access trusted information at your local library
City of Swan Libraries gives library members free access to a range of eResources that offer reliable information and learning opportunities.
Library members can access:
- Trusted news sources, including newspapers and magazines, paywall-free via BorrowBox, Libby and Koori Mail Collection
- Documentaries, educational movies and well-researched films via Kanopy and Hoopla
- Books and audiobooks via Cloud Library, Hoopla, Libby and BorrowBox
- Environmental research via GreenFILE.
The library also offers other helpful resources from the State Library of WA and National Library of WA, including Trove, Ancestry.com, various official records and archives resources, language resources such as LOTE4Kids, as well as a range of Indigenous resources.
These platforms can help you explore topics in detail and access information from credible and established sources.View the City of Swan Libraries eResource catalogue.
Library members can also borrow from a wide range of non-fiction books to help you research a topic or learn a new skill.
Build your digital skills
Knowing where to find accurate information is one part of the picture. It is also important to know how to evaluate what you see online.
As part of Library and Information Week, City of Swan Libraries is hosting a ‘Fact, Fake, or AI’ workshop to help attendees identify AI-generated images, videos, and text. Choose from one of the below sessions that’s most convenient for you.
City of Swan Libraries also offer regular free Tech Help sessions in-person to give you one-on-one help with devices, apps, and online services.
- Tech Thursdays – Help Sessions held weekly on Thursdays until December 17, 2026
- Tech Fridays – Help Sessions – held weekly on Fridays until December 18, 2026
- Tech Thursdays – Workshop – held monthly on the fourth Thursday of the month until November 26, 2026
- Tech Fridays – Workshop – held monthly on the fourth Friday of the month until November 27, 2026.
These programs help community members develop the necessary skills that help to safely navigate information online.
Library members are always welcome to drop by their local City of Swan library branch with quick tech queries. Our friendly library staff will be happy to help, or if they can’t assist, they’ll do their best to point you in the right direction.Libraries have always connected people with information. Today, that extends beyond books to include digital resources and technology support. Visit your local City of Swan library to help build your digital confidence and access trusted information.
To find out more about Library and Information Week and learn more about staying safe and savvy online, please visit the Australian Library and Information Association’s website.