In an era with accusations of “fake news,” it is more important than ever for libraries and journalists to provide their communities with trustworthy and engaging content. Social media and the internet creates an opportunity to develop new ways to connect and respond to their information needs. By partnering with The Kansas City Star on What’s Your KC Q? we build news literacy by showcasing library research methods, highlighting credible information resources and establishing trust with local reporters.

What’s Your KC Q? uses a tool and process created by the public-powered journalism company Hearken. Newsrooms all over the world use Hearken to be more responsive to their communities, but What’s Your KC Q is the first time a newsroom and a library have shared the reporting and research responsibilities. In the Nieman Lab’s Predictions for Journalism 2019, Hearken sited our partnership with The Kansas City Star as a collaboration that could lay the groundwork for a shared future for newsrooms and libraries.

Since launching KC Q, we’ve answered 22 community questions. The stories are published on our blog and in the print and online edition of The Star. The stories have received more than 160,000 page views on The Star’s website, in addition to 5,000 on the library website. We know that KC Q is extending our reach and positioning our library as an accessible resource. Looking ahead, as KC Q adds elements like community votes on what questions we answer, we know our impact will grow.