Acts of Trust : The Working Relationship between Librarians and Google

Abstract: As the gateway to a great variety of digital activities, Google has standardised how information is accessed. This transformation of the modern search paradigm has brought about a change in our relationship to information and, as information specialists librarians can offer a valuable perspective on this subject. The question of how trust plays a part in the relationship between librarians and Google forms the scope of our investigation. We address the issue through an in-depth study of the ways in which librarians work with Google, based on semi-structured expert interviews with librarians from different types of libraries. The theoretical framework draws upon Actor-Network Theory and Anthony Giddens’ ideas on trust. In our analysis, we identify the networks that the librarians are a part of by examining their actions. We see an array of actors, both human and nonhuman, of which Google’s services have a varying degree of importance. We conclude that, depending on the perspective, there are different conditions necessary for the placement of trust. These conditions can involve the availability of alternatives, users’ level of insight and several factors concerning the matter of risk. The fact that a majority use Google’s services for their online activities, and refer to this company for their information needs, makes it crucial to understand what users’ relationships to Google involve. Ensuring increased general awareness of information flows is an important element in promoting democracy in a changing digital environment.