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I used to think that the search world was so scary and complicated. But now I think that perhaps it is still all of that, but it's also more manageable than I originally thought. There is a large community of people who have dedicated their lives and careers to teaching others about search, so I know that I have this amazing resource to fall back on. I also think that  there are a lot of tools out there that we can take advantage of when it comes to this. I came into this course being really scared and intimidated, but I really think that we've been equipped with the tools and resources necessary. It's only a few months of delving into the search world so of course there's so much more we haven't touched, but if anything we now have the foundations and we're more empowered than we previously were.
If I had to visualize the information landscape, I would say that before this course, it kind of felt like a ship sailing out to a empty sea with no coordinates. I have a much more optimistic view of it now and I would say it looks more like an iceberg, or the concept of one. We think of information and search on a very surface level sometimes. But this course really taught me that there's more to it hidden under the surface, and that part is even bigger than what we can see above the water.

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I used to think the world of search was very overwhelming, science-y and the aspect of library that would be my weak point. I used to be confused as to how this course would help me be a school librarian more than the other course I had already taken. But now I think this course is the most important course I took in the program. Now, I am confident in my search abilities and my abilities to help others in the search process. Now, I can connect all the things I have learned and apply them to the school library to not only help my students, but teach them to be good searchers.

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I learned a lot from this course. I was really intimidated by using databases before, because I didn't have a lot of experience with them, but I feel I now have a better understanding of how they work and how to better navigate them. I feel this is a skill that I will find useful in any library setting. One of the biggest take aways I had was learning about all the ways search is changing and the way database companies are constantly evolving to fit user needs. This isn't something I had thought about before hand, but it makes sense that search would continue to evolve, especially in this age of technology.

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My biggest take away from this semester is that we cannot be complacent in the information searching landscape, especially  when working, living and breathing in the digital age. Yes, things change all the time but fundamental skills do not. It is inevitable that Search has become a fact of life,  but truly understanding the landscape and how to identify credible sources is a different story. This class taught me how to be a well versed researcher and how to be skeptical of what we find, especially at first glance.

Another highlight for me was learning how to survey multiples databases and websites to find the right resources for writing a LibGuide. I was also able to incorporate the search techniques that I learned into my LibGuide. Also, if it weren't for this class project, I would not have a professional portfolio that showcase my work. And of course I am very grateful for the support I got from Dr. V and  my classmates. The Tuesday night office hours helped clarify many ambiguities and anxiety regarding the homework and projects.

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This course has really emphasized and brought to my attention the importance of search in our everyday lives. There is an overwhelming amount of information on the internet that is available at our fingertips, and searching allows us to sort through this information and find what will satisfy our information needs.

Searching is an acquired skill. There is a lot of strategy involved to ultimately find information that you are looking for on the web. This course has provided me with methods to overcome difficulties that exist within the information landscape such as biases, database organization, information access, and internet algorithms. I feel confident that I have the tools I need to be a master searcher, but am definitely still working through trial and error within my searches to figure out what works best for my information finding.

A big aha moment for me was the concept that the realm of search is constantly changing. The way we find information is much different now than it was 20, 10, or even 5 years ago! This shows how important it is to stay on top of things, and a great way to do so is by remaining involved in the information community. Blogs, social media, and various websites are a great way to stay current on search trends.

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This class has shown me the skills, tips, and tricks required to be a great searcher. It truly is a craft, and I think it is our responsibility to use our search toolkits to help users and patrons find what they are looking for, and them learn how to navigate this heavily saturated information landscape as well.

Referring back to Roy Tennant’s quote: “Only librarians like to search. Everybody else likes to find”. I don’t think you necessarily have to be a librarian, but I think you do need a love and appreciation of information. Navigating the information landscape can be like overcoming an obstacle course at times. Many are quick to use a Google search to instantly answer their questions, but this is not the same as an information professional who navigates their various tools to find a trustworthy and credible source.

There is more than meets the eye with Google and other everyday search tools. These platforms still have flaws in their algorithms, and it is important for us as information  us to sort through and manipulate our searches in ways to get the information we need.

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This semester has been a challenging one, but so helpful in expanding my knowledge base. I thought I understood search before, but there is so much more; so many layers to uncover and navigate. I take with me the importance of search tools and language, which when used point us in a stronger direction. I will take these tools, and my experience with various databases into my professional work, as I realize now how they can be applied to help me do my job better. I am excited to have new resources like LibGuides to learn from and to create! I know that there is so much more though, so many sites and ways of looking that I had no idea even existed.

In response to the idea of libraries loving the search, I think I'm an odd man out here. I still definitely love the feeling of finding, but I can appreciate the journey that it takes to get to the find so much more. Ultimately, I carry a renewed appreciation for search, and for my ability to conduct searches beyond average means.

As for my image response to the information landscape, I had to choose this one. It made me laugh out loud!

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What were the biggest ahas! or highlights?

My biggest highlight is a reflection of my own interests. I have always enjoyed researching or searching for information, but I always felt a bit off the mark when it came to describing why and what about it I liked. This course showed me that search is an entire discipline dedicated to the journey of seeking, synthesizing, and understanding not only the information you need, but discerning “good” vs. “bad” sources. It was also reassuring to know that there are many information professionals who are passionate about this subject. For a while, I felt like I was stuck in no man’s land having this “hobby” that I wanted to somehow turn into a job, and the fact that these skills can be applied to so many types of careers.

How will you apply what you've learned?

I think I’ll forever question and assess the sources I consume. I’ve always did it to a small extent, but moving forward, I’ll be more thorough in vetting my content -- whether that means finding balanced information (political), cross-referencing facts or understanding why a piece was published (e.g. intent, affiliation that may create bias).

And perhaps, more fundamentally, why does search matter?

Searching vs. finding matters because searching is an iterative process, whereas finding information is an isolated event with a clear end point. Searching is a learning experience, both for the subject matter and for fine-tuning what methods work best. It’s investigative. It can even tell us more about the human condition. Throughout this course, I was reminded of this fascinating true-crime documentary called “Don’t F*ck With Kittens” on Netflix, which is about how this hodge-podge of online renegade searchers hunt for a serial killer all over the world -- all from their homes. The documentary is gripping and the serial killer is creepy, but what you also see is how the curiosity, determination, and search skills of these “regular” people impact a global hunt for a serial killer. There’s a very practical application and impact of search, but also a need to validate the search process and logic to support conclusions made from them.

What does the information landscape look like to you?

Comic - Map of the New Media Landscape

Infographic - Dealing with Information Overload

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I felt a little adrift as we started this semester. For the first time in this program, I felt almost utterly out of my element. I struggled quite a bit to wrap my head around search. It seemed like such a large, umbrella term for EVERYTHING. I had very little experience with databases and all the many types of searches that can be conducted. As an elementary librarian who is looking towards moving to a middle or high school, I felt woefully inadequate. However, in one of her early lectures, Dr. V mentions that Dr. Boyer said that our goal should be to give our users as many pathways as possible to find what they need. This really resonated with me. When I narrowed the scope of search to “how can a school librarian help teachers, students, and families?” I started to get really excited about all the ways that school librarians can support student search. Basically, I used to think that search wasn't my thing but now I know that it really, really is.

One of the highlights of this semester for me was when we started to discuss our issues. I get really excited when I am put in a place where I have to return to what is at the core of my beliefs and when I am challenged to consider alternate perspectives.

I think, though, when I am think of search and the goals of librarianship, I think of maps--pathways and inroads to get to where you need to go. And, because I do believe that access to information should be equitable, this map is free.

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One of my favorite takeaways from this class has been the understanding of curation in the search process. There is *so much* information and so many different paths to discovery, but being able to vet and assess resources before sharing them or using them has been an important lesson for me this semester. In this way our work is not dissimilar from that of editors making selective cuts and additions. On that subject I really loved Dr. V's interviews with different internet curators and hearing how their work overlapped with the work of librarianship. There's something lovely about finding a really great set of resources that fits the bill and I loved learning about the different search strategies. I really appreciated all the visual guides that were included in the subject such as the animated videos included in Markey, because it allowed me to focus on the "movement" and navigation of the search process; this was so helpful especially at times when I was feeling overwhelmed by the amount of texts to process.

My search metaphor is a revisit to this lovely true story about a young girl who receives small trinkets / gifts from crows. Over time she begins to catalog and curate her collection, seeing relationships between the different objects that the ravens bring her, drawing meaning from the objects and where they may come from. This joy in discovery and the curation of it represents to me the collaborative effort of making sense out of the even more collaborative information landscape, being selective,  understanding and encouraging intention, and the overall reward of the process.

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This semester has been quite a journey for me. I did not expect the world of search to be so complex and nuanced. The information universe is so vast and ever expanding, but the search skills we learned and the mindset we developed will help us evolve along with it. I've had so many aha moments each week, sometimes with new subjects and other times with topics that I had heard and thought I knew what they meant but really didn't. For instance, I really did not understand the difference between Google and a database. When I encountered databases in the Rutgers libraries previously, I didn't know how to approach them or to consider a facet search, or even know what that was. Now I have more confidence to search and experiment with my new tools. I'm eager to practice. A recurring thought I have is that I wish I had learned these search skills earlier so I could have used them in college, graduate school and just in life. My research and papers would have probably been much better! But, I appreciate this learning experience.

One of the highlights for me was our study of Google and its biases. I've known that Google is powerful and ubiquitous but didn't realize how it is mainly an advertising search engine or that it can have biases. Our study of the deep web and dark web was also fascinating because it showed me the vastness of the information that is not readily available through typical Internet searches. Similarly, I enjoyed our discussion of open access.

Search is important because it is how we all learn about the world and pursue our interests, and librarians help others in their journey to do the same. We develop independence and perseverance through search and at last, we find what we had sought. Along the way, we probably find other valuable information. At first I didn't fully comprehend why search in itself could be a joyful activity, yet now I see it as an adventure that we can enjoy even more than arriving at our destination.

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My biggest takeaway from this class is size. The size of information is so great it is impossible to comprehend, let alone the ways to use it. I came into this class knowing that I want to be a children's librarian, that my goal is to mae a difference for one person, and that everyone else is a bonus. I came out (don't worry kids the career path is still the same) with a passion for sharing information and sharing search that I never would have believed if you had asked me on week one. Databases can be fun! It's not all Pubmed, Google Scholar, scroll down the list after you've narrowed down your fields. It's chose a book on novelist and go exploring! It's read a letter written over a hundred years ago that has no business still being around in 2020 yet we have the tools to look at something that should be disintegrated carbon and go "wow, look at what this person went through." Being able to now go out and share that with out students and library users is a gift. I am thrilled to have it!

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Discover more about Iceburg Journey ✌️ - Interactive Image

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One of my biggest takeaways was the complexity of searches and tools which are available. Although search can be involved, librarians can help users navigate through this process. Although I still have a lot to learn, even when I am set to graduate next month, the course has helped me gain experience that I can combine with hands on learning. I particularly liked the part of the class which showed how to interact with patrons. If a patron has a project due, we may ask more specific questions such as the due date, in order to better assist them. Interestingly, the first thing that comes to mind with search is the scene from Alice in Wonderland, where the cheshire cat is trying to guide Alice with directions. Alice does find her way and navigates this new world, with a bit of help, albeit in ways that seem unfamiliar to her.  But she gets adjusted overtime and thinks about what she has learned.

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My biggest overall takeaway from this course was becoming aware of the many facets and “layers” of the information landscape. There were so many things I literally had no idea of before this course : from Boolean search, biased algorithms, open  access issues , deep/ dark/ web, as well as the many shapes and facets of search that truly takes place every minute of every day.

Another big takeaway from this course is the vast array of databases that are available. I had always been content with the databases already in place in the school I had worked in, I didn’t realize how lucky I was until I moved to another position, now had I had the knowledge to critically assess the ones I used beforehand.  The value of understanding the scope of various databases, and inspecting them critically for the patron population in which you are working as an information specialist is another invaluable learning experience I have gained. This class opened my eyes to the vast array as well as equipping me with the knowledge to professionally assess each for my intended goals.

This course has taught me that ongoing professional development, as well as PLN’s are not important , they are critical in our profession! The voices of search have been my favorite part of this realization. They have shared such a diverse amount of knowledge, experience, and expertise that I realize that having a wide network of various information specialists will only help you in this professional pathway.

The picture I envision for search My biggest overall takeaway from this course was becoming aware of the many facets and “layers” of the information landscape. There were so many things I literally had no idea of before this course : from Boolean search, biased algorithms, open  access issues , deep/ dark/ web, as well as the many shapes and facets of search that truly takes place every minute of every day.

Another big takeaway from this course is the vast array of databases that are available. I had always been content with the databases already in place in the school I had worked in, I didn’t realize how lucky I was until I moved to another position, now had I had the knowledge to critically assess the ones I used beforehand.  The value of understanding the scope of various databases, and inspecting them critically for the patron population in which you are working as an information specialist is another invaluable learning experience I have gained. This class opened my eyes to the vast array as well as equipping me with the knowledge to professionally assess each for my intended goals.

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I smiled when I first read Roy Tennant's quote: "Only librarians like to search. Everyone else likes to find." From a young age, I have enjoyed all things research, whether it be for personal or educational reasons. I feel as if Tennant's quote embodies why I chose this profession. I genuinely enjoy searching. Finding what I need is of course a great reward, but I love the journey to that find - even the roadblocks that leave me feeling hopeless at times. After completing this course, however, I feel fortunate to have been introduced to so many different searching strategies that I can apply during my future research requests. Furthermore, understanding the basics of databases and how they operate will guide me in navigating new platforms with unfamiliar interfaces, which I am very grateful for.

As I have discussed in the past, the Voices of Search videos each week were truly invaluable. Many of the interviewees held careers that I inspire to one day obtain, so hearing their opinions on the industry, where it is heading, and how to maintain current awareness, was key to helping me create a focused plan on how I can move forward and achieve great things in this industry. Thank you so much Joyce for organizing this material!

Like many other industries, library and information science is constantly evolving field. With new advancements in technology will come new innovative ways in performing search and guiding the interaction between humans in information. One of my key takeaways from this course: as a search intermediary, I vow to keep up to date these advancements in order to provide the most quality and efficient information for my patrons. Fortunately, I have no doubt that my education and experience as an information professional will allow me to effectively and consistently stay u to date on ways I can improve users' library experience.

I created my own "meme" below. It is a picture of a row of doors, and a quote "Research is creating new knowledge." When people come to librarians for assistance with satisfying their information needs, librarians take great pride in being able to help those individuals bridge their information gaps. Helping individuals find information that will add to their overall knowledge base on a topic or concept is very rewarding. In terms of the search and information landscape, there are many unknown ways to search, retrieve, and share information that have yet to be implemented, or perhaps even thought of (the reason for the closed doors). However, the opportunity for new knowledge lies behinds those closed doors, and I am beyond excited to take the journey of exploring the information world in new and innovative ways.

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My biggest takeaway from this semester is that there seem to be many information landscapes, all of which relate to each other in different ways and are situated within different contexts. While I understand better than ever how to navigate databases and efficiently use various search strategies, I also understand that using these tools and strategies will look differently for each subject I'm searching. This is why search matters: we have to be able to navigate these information contexts, or we will experience an information overload where data exists around us and we cannot make meaning of it as it exists in relation to our own world.
To me, the information landscape looks a lot like outer space. We as information astronauts know that there's lots of valuable information that exists where it looks like it's out of reach. But using the right tools and strategies, we can obtain that information, and we can help others learn how to do so, too.

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Some of my biggest ahas came through the Voices of Search. I really enjoyed these because it provided perspectives from different industries, not just librarians. This was useful for me, because I do not necessarily plan to work in a library. The toolkit we developed throughout this semester is to most importantly be used to address our audience/users (whoever that might be). It's nice to know that I can take the work I do now and perhaps apply it to a more "searchy" role if I do choose to one day. I hold accessibility and education close to me and knowing that in the future I can potentially use my skills from this class to give those access to the information and education they need is a wonderful thing.

Another takeaway for me is the search landscape in general and how many options we have at our disposal. I used to think Google was not a starting place for a research paper. But Google is not necessarily a "bad" place to start. It's more so about how you find the information and how you assess and analyze the information you find (credibility). Google Scholar and Google Books are great resources, as well as custom Google searches! But what's even more important is that Google is not the only search engine out there. There are so many others to explore, that perhaps might better fit our needs or a user's needs down the line.

One more takeaway for me is the changing landscape. Technology is developing and changing rapidly and as information professionals it is our job to keep up with those changes. This semester we talked about privacy concerns, misinformation/fake news, voice assisted devices, and so many more things in the realm of technology. As information professionals we also need to learn to navigate the landscape with these new tools. And the more we know and learn about them, the better we can incorporate them for our users/audiences.

Here's my meme:

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My #1 takeaway from this course is how fragmented the information landscape is, and how many information strategies and tools we need to know in order to execute the searches most likely to connect us to the right resource(s). I can't possibly remember everything, but now I know where to look to job my memory.

#2 has to do with search engines. I used to think that search engines scraped the entirety of the (non-firewalled) internet. I now have a better understanding of the limits of scraping, and that what we are actually searching is an index created by the search engine - this explains why I sometimes can't find very recently posted articles via search even when they are right on the front page of their website.

#3 is the ongoing urgency of professional development. As information professionals, no matter where we work, we must stay on top of hot topics, technology, and the industries in which we are embedded. By failing to stay current, we ensure our own obsolescence.

Here's my meme:

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Screenshot_2020-12-06 Kapwing — Where Content Creation Happens

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The biggest takeaway from this semester was broadening my knowledge of search, which I did not have a lot of at the beginning. I feel more confident and resourceful as a future librarian when it comes to gathering information for a patron, student, or teacher since I have some references of what kind of databases are out in the world.

I used to think search was not for me because I was never officially trained in understanding the functions of a database. For example, none of my high school teachers or librarians explained to me the functions of Boolean by explaining what the AND, OR, and NOT features are meant for. They just told me to insert words into the search bar and hit enter. But now, I think search is easy to teach and understand if an educator takes the time to teach students about search. Maybe have interactive and fun activities related to search.

The biggest highlight from this course is learning about Boolean operators and listening to professionals in the field of research about their jobs and experiences working with search. I loved listening to Voice of Search every week. It gave me insight into how search is integrated outside of the classroom and has broadened my knowledge over all different types of librarian jobs that are available in the world.

What I have learned in this course can be applied to my current job and in my future career in the public library services. I can ask patrons, students, and teachers about the question they are trying to answer, as well as, having the skills to break down specific concepts to enter into a basic or advanced search. Since having full access to a hundred plus databases, I can refer students and teachers to specific databases that will meet their needs. Lastly, what I have learned and taken from participating in Professor Valenza’s only meetings on Tuesday nights, librarians need to promote and join committees to continue the awareness of databases, as well as continuing to meet the demands of patron’s needs by having available resources (databases) to use and refer to.

The information landscape looks like this quote I found online and will always follow by when helping patrons that visit a library I work in. Here is the link

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research quotes inspirational - Google Search

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students einstein albert szent gyorgyi albert einstein quotes words quotes positive quotes true quotes carl jung brainyquote highest form

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My biggest ahas was seeing the great variations and advantages of different databases, and with information professional positions in general.  I have always been one to just use Quicksearch for finding research and leaving it at that because it goes through all of the databases Rutgers has subscriptions for.  None of the librarians I worked with differed from this either, so I never considered other options or better ways of searching.  The weekly search activities highlighted the value and more specific searches that can take place through individual databases.  I honed in on a handful of these resources in the activities and have a good grasp on them to be able to recommend and guide patrons through them.  Learning about the thesauri some databases have was also a huge step in advancing my searches and having more precise manners of looking for information.

With this, I was thrilled to get insight from so many different professionals and to see the diverse workplaces and positions of all of them.  Talks with Raven Fonfa, Kristen Garlock, and Meredith Farkas stand out to me.  I always envisioned myself working at an academic or public library because that is where I have had my professional experience take place, but these individuals revealed how the skills and knowledge I have developed from the MI program can be applicable in many other outlets.

I think I have finally reached the point where I can culminate together the different skills I have developed throughout the duration of this course and can have concept fusion.  I feel that I have an understanding of the information environment, structures, and vocabularies to combine these skills together when searching.  This course has significantly increased my confidence in performing searches and being able to share these skills and techniques with others. As I start working for the online chat service for Rutgers libraries, I am thrilled to have taken this class and be able to have this insight and practice, so that I can effectively and confidently help others.

The information and search skills I have learned from this course will be applied to my current roles in academic and public libraries, as well as when I (hopefully) get a full time librarian position after graduation.  Looking back, I was using too many words in my searches and trying to cram in as much of my research question, when in reality, being more selective and clear with my query would have had greater success.  Knowing how to search and where are two main qualities of librarianship and these abilities will be extremely useful when working with students or the public who have diverse information needs that require assistance.

Search matters because what you put into a search determines what you get out of it.  It was eye-opening to see how specific terminology, query formation, and filter options play such a large role in what results the individual search systems retrieve.  There is so much beyond putting in a few words or a question like you would in Google.  Knowing how to translate a research question into a search query is a key skill, as is knowing what places should be used to look for information.

The information landscape to me looks like walking down a hallway with an extensive row of doors on either side.  With a question in mind, you can choose to open up any of these doors to find information and get an answer.  Each door has its own key of how to work its system to get in, just as databases and search engines require certain terms and query structures to get the information you seek.  Some doors are locked and you don’t have the right key to get in.  In the same way that you cannot access certain sources because you don’t pay for a subscription, or the information is not publicly available.  Some doors are hidden--you don’t even know these resources or places of search exist because they cannot be found on the surface of the web.  The hallway can be continually walked by the user, going through different doors and going back and forth to see what is out there and what information can be found.
(picture of what I am envisioning: https://image.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/3d-rendering-white-tone-hallway-260nw-1047839932.jpg)

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Wow!  What a journey.  When I started this class, I thought I had an understanding of search.  During week one, I realized I was basically splashing in the baby pool.  It was humbling!  A huge takeaway was learning what tools to use for what searches.  I have a better understanding of when to use a database, a portal or directory, Google tools, or social media to locate information.  It was really exciting to learn about all the different search engines alternatives.  While many people will continue to use Google forever, I’m glad that I have the know how to provide options for both myself and others.  The discovery of portals and directories and other deep web search tools was a big aha.  Google often misses these sites and they can be crucial when looking for specialized information.

I am already applying my expanded understanding of curation tools to my personal and professional life.  Pearltrees!  Dr. Valenza definitely converted me!  I love this as a tool to organize my own research and to share with others.  I am also excited to continue to curate news feeds for both myself and eventually my library.

Roy Tennant’s assertion rings even more true for me now.  This was evident in my work on my LibGuides.  I went a little search crazy!  It’s so exciting when you stumble upon a new aspect of a topic and then go deeper and deeper, foraging for the best information on that aspect.

My metaphor for the information landscape connects to my D&D LibGuide.  I see our quest for information as a dungeon crawl.  Wikipedia provides us with an adequate definition:  type of scenario in fantasy role playing games in which heroes navigate a labyrinth environment (a "dungeon"), battling various monsters, avoiding traps, solving puzzles, and looting any treasure they may find.  The landscape is the dungeon.  We (the searchers) are the heroes.  Our goal is to make our way out with the treasure (information to answer our query).  However, there are many traps (clickbait, content farms), puzzles (facet analysis, choosing the right search tool or strategy), and monsters (fake news, data tracking) along the way!  We are not alone though!  Friendly allies (librarians) join us and offer aid (search support and education) and assets (evaluation tools, curated content).  We may even uncover hidden gems that we didn’t expect to find (a new aspect of our topic, information bits that connect to our query or positively change our direction).  If we persevere, using our tools and allies effectively, we will resurface into the light with our informational boon!