discover life's possibilities | June

Let's Talk About Fake News
Did you hear about the rumor that ICE was on San Juan Island? I heard the rumor last Tuesday from more than one person. I was hearing it from enough sources that it seemed that it must be true. Sheriff Eric Peter did some investigating and determined that nothing happened at any of the San Juan Island locations rumored to have been visited by ICE. It was a startling story, but nothing more. 
 
I have appreciated the recent work of our local reporter Kristina Stucki, who, concerning these ICE rumors and a Facebook conversation about Amazon vans from a month ago, has written about how quickly incorrect information can spread through our small community. Social media – that gift that helps us stay connected with friends and family – can be an all-too-helpful means of spreading misinformation and making it seem real. This is a warning we all need to keep in mind: it is easy to accidentally spread bad information even when everyone acts in good faith.
 
And as we all know, sometimes people do not act in good faith. On a much larger scale, I have been alarmed to watch how someone can use AI to generate images, stories, and even videos that appear real and legitimate yet have no basis in reality. On social media, I have seen information and pictures related to alarming stories, but when I search those stories on legitimate news sites, I discover that they have been fabricated and have no basis in fact. It can be challenging to discern what is real and what is fake.
 
Fortunately, we are not powerless. When presented with information online, we should be mindful that not everything we see is true and do a little sleuthing before we hit that ‘share’ button and spread something we may come to regret later. This kind of work takes effort, but it is well worth it. We all need access to accurate information to make good decisions. If we all do our part to take care and resist spreading misinformation, its reach will be diminished, and fewer people will be misled.
 
How can you tell if something is real news or fake? For myself, my very first test is often the ‘smell test,’ meaning I always ask myself whether the story before me smells fishy or not. If a story sounds too perfect, too weird, too bad, or too good to be true, that may be an indication that it is made up. These recommendations from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions are good methods to help determine whether or not the news is real:
  • Consider the Source: Click away from the story to investigate the site, its mission, and its contact info. Be cautious of information you can only find on social media, YouTube, or other sources in which anyone can post anything.
  • Supporting Sources: Can you find other news sources reporting the same information? If the report has links, follow those links and make sure the information given supports the story.
  • Read Beyond: Headlines can be outrageous to get clicks. What’s the whole story?
  • Check the Author: Do a quick search on the author. Are they credible? Are they real?
  • Check the Date: Reposting old news stories doesn’t mean they’re relevant to current events.
  • Is it a Joke? If it is too outlandish, it might be satire. Research the site and author to be sure.
  • Check your Biases and Theirs: Consider whether your own beliefs will influence your judgment. Consider how their biases may influence how they depict information.
  • Ask the Experts: Find out who would know the facts of the story, and check what they are saying.
Finally, our Local Resources and Useful Links page on our website includes some links to sites that work to combat misinformation and fake news, which you can use to help determine if what you’re seeing is real news or fake. Practice will make you nearly perfect!
 
-Anthony
Anthony Morris

-Assistant Director
-Rapt in Chronometry 
-Purposefully Pixelated
 
Currently Reading

SUMMER READING COMING SOON
Summer Reading has begun! We have fun planned for families, children, tweens, teens and adults, including special events for a variety of ages and our popular Wednesday Afternoon Performance series featuring professional family-fun entertainment. Click on Color Our World to learn more!
LIBRARY CARD DESIGN CONTEST
Calling all San Juan Island artists, designers, and those with a flair for creativity! The Library is excited to announce our 2025 Library Card Design Contest. Two designs will be selected as winners, which will be featured on library cards in limited edition runs during the September 2025 Library Card Sign-up Month. Thanks to generous sponsorship by the Friends of the San Juan Island Library, both winners will also receive a $100 cash prize. All submitted artwork will also be included in an online collection that will be viewable to the public after the contest’s conclusion. Submissions will be accepted through June 30th, 2025, so make sure to get your designs submitted!
THE PENNY PINCHER
Featuring popular services paid for by your tax dollars that you can access from the Library at no cost!   
Access news articles from a variety of local, national, and international sources, including the Journal of the San Juan Islands, the Seattle Times, and USA Today, and the Atlantic. NewBank provides access to newspapers from across the United States and the world. Explore and stay informed on local, national and international topics, people and events in areas such as business, health, education, jobs and careers, political and social issues and more.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Library has published it's 2025 Spring print newsletter, which provided the library's 2024 Annual Report. If you haven't seen it arrive in your mailbox, you can read it online!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Teen Karaoke
Summer Reading Kickoff Party
Friday, June 27th, 2025
7:00pm - 8:30pm
 
Kick-off the Teen Summer Reading Program with a karaoke party! We'll provide the snacks and tunes, you bring the good vibes. Not interested in singing? No problem, come hang out and cheer on your friends!
Twirl the Rainbow
Hoop Fun For All
A Wednesday Afternoon Performance
Wednesday, June 25th, 2025
1:30pm - 2:15pm
 
Come see Hillia Hula for an unforgettable hooping experience that includes a dazzling display of hoops spinning in perfect harmony. This is your chance to fully immerse yourself in the world of hooping fun with Hillia as your guide.
Ian Dobson's Steel
Drums Musical Experience
A Wednesday Afternoon Performance
Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025
1:30pm - 2:15pm
 
Join the extraordinary Ian Dobson for a memorable musical adventure! Prepare to be transported into a world of captivating sounds and boundless creativity that will leave you feeling invigorated and inspired. Ian is not only a skilled musician but also a knowledgeable global music aficionado. 
Teen Thrift Store Painting
Wednesday, July 9th, 2025
5:00pm - 6:30pm
 
Give ugly old thrift store art new life! Use paint and other materials to add new elements to old paintings. Turn the print of a famous painting into a circus, or add your favorite character to a dusty bouquet of flowers. Your imagination is the limit! 
 
Please register so that we can ensure we have enough thrift store art for everyone! 
DONATE TO THE LIBRARY
The San Juan Island Library welcomes gifts to support the programs, collections, and services designed to meet the needs of San Juan Islanders, nonprofit partners, and visitors of all ages, that are not met by tax revenue. There are many ways to support your library!
STAFF PICKS
Check out our latest faves!
 
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead 
by Olga Tokarczuk
 
When her neighbor turns up dead, and then other bodies turn up under strange circumstances, Janine, a recluse in a remote Polish village who prefers the company of animals over humans, inserts herself into the investigation.
Ms. Demeanor
by Elinor Lipman
 
Under house arrest after an intimate encounter on the roof of her NYC apartment building goes public, Jane Morgan, with her legal license suspended, strikes up a friendship with a fellow white-collar felon while trying to figure out the truth about her mysterious accuser. 
Cemetery Boys
by Aiden Thomas
 
Determined to prove himself a real brujo to the traditional Latinx family that does not accept his true gender, a trans boy summons the ghost of the resident bad boy, who refuses to return quietly to death.


Discover Life's Possibilities
1010 Guard St, Friday Harbor, Washington 98250
(360) 378-2798
https://www.sjlib.org

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