When you think about pastors, rabbis, or imams, you probably picture them giving sermons or helping out in the community. But what you might not realize is how much time they spend hunting down info—stuff like new laws, health advice, or resources for people who need help. And here’s the kicker: for a lot of faith leaders, especially in Black and other underserved communities, getting that info isn’t easy.
In my 2019 research (yeah, I nerded out on this), I looked at how clergy find and use information. Turns out, it’s not just about having a library card or Wi-Fi. Some folks get what’s called “library anxiety”—basically, feeling unsure or unwelcome when they try to get help from libraries or other info sources. That might sound small, but it’s a real deal problem, especially for leaders trying to serve communities that already face a bunch of challenges (Peyton, 2019).
Why should you care? Because info is power. Black churches and faith groups have been key players in pushing for racial justice for decades. But if their leaders can’t easily get the latest scoop on voting rules, health guidelines, or legal rights, that puts them—and their communities—at a big disadvantage.
Take storefront church gospel communities, for example. These vibrant musical groups are more than just about music—they’re about connection, worship, and culture. But the pandemic hit them hard. Social distancing rules meant losing the face-to-face rehearsals that are the heart of their work. Church musicians felt the pinch even more than pastors or congregants. Financial struggles meant leaders had to scramble just to keep the doors open and the music playing (Peyton, 2023).
That forced these communities to rethink how they collaborate. They’ve had to get creative, mixing virtual meets with limited in-person gatherings to keep the music—and the spirit—alive. This kind of collaboration, which I call “collaborative information behavior,” is essential for these churches to survive and thrive in tough times (Peyton, 2023).
So yeah, supporting clergy means more than just applause. It means making sure they’ve got the tools and access they need to help their communities thrive. Because in the fight for justice, having the right info at the right time can make all the difference.
If you want to geek out on this more, check out my studies:
The Information Behavior of Religious Clergy in North America (Peyton, 2019) and
Collaborative Information Behavior: Storefront Church Gospel Communities of Musical Practice (Peyton, 2023).
Alicea Williams-Peyton, PhD, is a researcher and writer whose work explores the intersection of religion, social justice, and information systems. Her scholarship focuses on how faith-based communities collaborate, share information, and navigate the information divide, with particular attention to the role of libraries and other ideological institutions in shaping access and equity.