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My biggest takeaway is that there are many search tools available, but that most people do not know how to use them effectively. There is an overwhelming amount of information so it is more important than ever to be able to search for, sort through, evaluate, and productively use the information you need.

Many of the highlights are the databases we have access to at Rutgers. My new favorite is Kanopy which has many hard to find films. I hope to find databases for my patrons that they did not know about. I have learned many new things about searching with Google. This is always helpful as we all use Google. But, there are many other search engines that I have been exposed to such as DuckDuckGo and Wolfram Alpha. Perhaps the most important thing I have learned is how to curate a collection in a LibGuide.

Looking through the glossary of Markey’s Online Searching there are many terms that I have learned more about or discovered as a result of this course. These include: altmetrics, backward chaining, bibliometrics, citation pearl growing, controlled vocabulary, database hub, descriptor, expert intermediary searcher, facet analysis, filter bubbles, forward chaining, impact factor, journal run, open Web, pay-walls, search alert, search history, and syndetic structure. I have learned about the Deep and Dark Web.

I will become better at creating a screencast through learning from my mistakes. The first was too rushed as I tried to cram too much into 5 minutes. The second was too long as I tried to do too much. The next one will be better as a result of these experiences. The next LibGuide I create will be better as well. In fact, I am looking to edit the one I created.

I envision the search landscape as all the worlds bodies of water that may contain fish. I am not a good fisherman. I really have not much use for fishing to be honest. But, I thought it would be a good metaphor to use.

The best time to fish is when the water is calm. If there is a tsunami, it will overwhelm the fisher (don’t overwhelm the searcher with information).

Everyone has their own great fishing spot (articles, websites, blogs).

Expert fishers know not only where to fish (licensed databases), but also what equipment to use (search strategies), and what to use as bait (search terms). Also, what bait to use for which type of fish (limiters, Boolean operators, truncation, proximity).

Sometimes bodies of water are stocked with prime fish (licensed databases).

Some fishers are only looking for the best fish and will throw back substandard fish (irrelevant retrievals).

Many people have no clue how to fish (or search), but most people think they do.

Some people like to fish or search all over the place and skip around from spot to spot. Others, prefer to fish in the deeper waters and go back to the great fishing spots (

Some people can evaluate what fish are good to eat (evaluating sources of information).

Many people want to eat fish, but only some like fishing. (People like to find, librarians like to search).

In this fishing map image, you can see the different kinds of fish in each fishing spot. These fishing spots are the Rutgers databases for example. Some databases have history information, some technology, some literature, etc. You have to fish in the right spot to get the fish you want. You have to search in the appropriate database to get the information you want. There are caution symbols on this map which warn about limits and rocks. Searchers also have to know limits and watch out for rocks (biased or irrelevant information). Fortunately, there is a symbol for where you can hire a boat that can guide you to where the fish are. There is online help on the Rutgers Library website where you can chat with a librarian who can guide you to where the information you want is.

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Where should I start? Each week was a new journey into gathering tools and strategies to add to my "search" toolbox. Like others, I questioned exactly what else I needed to learn about search as I thought I was already an expert. Boy, was I mistaken! The semester was full of useful search strategies, new search engines to explore and new ways to collect useful sources. The best part of this class is that I will be able to use and apply this new knowledge directly into my next job as a school librarian. The information landscape as an image looks like a small hole that leads to a world of information through many different platforms, which leads to various kinds of information.

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I think I've learned a lot about search this semester, but I think I still have a lot more to learn. More importantly, I think I still have a lot to learn about how I present information to other people. My final project for this course certainly taught me a lot about how to put things together, and that I certainly have a lot to learn when it comes to presenting search advice for others. I definitely have to work on that, but I think I also started learning to take what I've been learning in all of my classes and bringing it all together.

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When I think of the information landscape, I think of a forest and I am the way ward traveler trying to navigate my way through in order to get to my destination.  Finding a path is key but also being aware of when to deviate from that path in order to best reach the destination is key.    That’s how I felt when I began this class, that I had the tools and I knew how to search but oh how I was wrong.  Yes, I had the basic knowledge of what Boolean logic was or how to navigate through a database but I had no idea what else was out there.  Not only that but where search and this degree could take my career.  Through the Voices of Search each week and the search activities I became more acclimated to the world of search.  I have been inspired by each speaker and I hope to carry their passion, enthusiasm and knowledge with me as continue my journey.  I have crossed some thresholds and synthesized what I have learned throughout the semester and have had opportunities to share what I have learned with fellow collogues and patrons.

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The biggest overall takeaways are search strategies and just how much information out there if free. You just have to know how to dig. There are many different ways to search, and many different places to search. The information landscape is huge, and not everything we find is credible. I have already applied the search strategies and techniques. I plan on hosting monthly brown bag lunch and learn sessions that teach search and information literacy.

I think it's important to note that knowledge is power, and it's our job to empower. Librarians help individuals gain new knowledge, answer questions, access expensive resources, use computer networks, and so many other things that help them to realize more of their personal potential. We also collect, manage, preserve, and provide access to the resources required for individuals to contribute to society as informed citizens regardless of their financial resources or social status within the community. We focus on helping individuals live more fulfilling lives and helping our communities and society at large to prosper. The information landscape to me looks like connected world of knowledge (power).

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My biggest overall takeaway is that we as librarians must build back information trust. I believe librarians "like to search" because we trust that the information is out there--we know that we can find it, we know where the information is reliable, and we have the skills to access it.  I will dedicate my career to helping students learn to be confident in this information world. I see the information landscape as a Where's Waldo type of search. There is an overabundance of information and misinformation these days. There are a lot of decoys, there is quite a bit of fake news, and truthiness can distract you from the real deal. Also, you can use a number of search methods, whether it's scanning, methodical, systematic, poking around randomly, or using filters. The important thing is to recognize the truth and the end goal when you find it.

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When I first began this semester, it felt like I was in Human Information Behavior, again.  However, I discovered that this class was a full exploration in the applications of the prior philosophies.  I will never search Google the same way again.  I will utilize the Citation makers built into Databases.  I can now create a CSE for my Elementary Students that is void of unwanted variables. I will believe in Free Information while appreciating Pay Data like EBSCO.  Most importantly, the avenues of curation is a benefit for fellow Information Specialists and the Patrons/users of a collection.  Creating connections through sharing are our building blocks.

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One of the biggest things I learned this semester was how to search Google better.  Yes, I believe that in-depth research requires specialized databases but Google is so prevalent as a search engine that I feel like it’s imperative that as a librarian I can show people how to use it better.  I’d stumbled upon a few of the features here and there, and I’m sure my future students will as well, but to have the structured class to go through everything was really eye-opening and I probably use at least one tool I learned every day to make finding something I need online easier.  And if I can show them how to use Google better, then maybe they’ll listen to me for other search needs as well!

Searching is like using the index in a book.  Only the book is so large you’d never get to the end.  If you didn’t use search terms, you literally couldn’t find anything on the internet.  If you get online at all, you need to be able to search.

I really like the image of a Swiss Army Knife as my tool in the Information wilderness.  Everytime I learn a new skill, I add a tool to my knife.  Yes, I could probably do most things—eventually—with just a few tools, but tasks are much easier and faster with the appropriate tool used at the appropriate time.  I often go to professionals because I know they have the right tools to get stuff done quickly and correctly.  I could do a lot of it myself, with enough time and trials and muddling through, but it is usually worth my time to spend the extra money on the professional.  That’s how I see librarians.  Yes, most people could get it done well enough, eventually, but a librarian is a professional, and can pull out the right tool and get the search done quickly and efficiently and save time, and headache! (Photo: Swiss Army Knife by Dave Taylor, on Flikr)

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At the beginning of the semester we were told that this class wouldn't make us search experts, which is true, but I do feel that I am heading in the right direction. I have much more confidence now in my search skills and feel that given more time to reflect on and practice the strategies we've learned this semester, as well as keep up with the flow of news from the search world, my strengths as a searcher will continue to grow. I think one of my biggest takeaways is that I now approach search as a more thoughtful and deliberate process. I know to take the time to consider the question, define the facets, determine the best search tool, and implement the best strategies for that tool. And I understand that's only the beginning of the process. You take what you learn from the initial search to further refine and evolve your search until you arrive at the most relevant information.

I tend to think of the search process as an obstacle course. There seem to be so many obstacles between you and the information you seek - filter bubbles, paywalls, the deep web that isn't indexed, lack of information literacy, prevalence of false and misleading information, laziness, etc. But just as you can train your body to be stronger and faster in order to complete an obstacle course, you can also train your mind to become a more effective searcher. And once you conquer all the obstacles in your way and arrive at just the right information for your needs - sweet victory!

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Okay, well, thinking about my biggest takeaway brings me back to our week 1 introductory discussions.  I remember one was if we thought we were good searchers.  And I said yeah, I feel like I'm pretty adept, but I definitely wondered if this class was going to make me look like a fool for having that brash confidence at the start.

And now?  No, I still think I was a pretty good searcher then and now.  That's definitely not to say I didn't learn anything.  From little google search tips to command line searches, which I'd never even heard of before, I definitely did.  But in terms of digging what I want out of databases, I think I can do it.  In fact, I'm probably a little more confident now that I've been through this course and wasn't knocked over by my own ignorance.  That's always a good feeling, right?

As for that Tennant quote, I kind of agree, but I have to admit, I think I prefer finding what I want quickly and efficiently, and then pulling out.  I like searching because I like finding information and learning more about my interests.  But I'm definitely happier when I find want in thirty seconds than thirty minutes.  If what I'm looking for isn't in the first database I check, I'm less of of a "oh boy, now I get to check a second database" guy, and more of a "stupid database, if you just had what I wanted, I wouldn't need to check another one now."

So I guess to me, that means the information landscape is more like (that's right, I'm going for my metaphor!) a toy store for me.  There's a lot of great stuff in it that I want to take home and play with, but I don't have any particular affinity for the metal shelves, finding parking or standing in line at the at the check-out counter.  So, in Tennant's world, I think that makes me a man of the people.  :)

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The first thing that popped into my mind was peeking through a keyhole and seeing the world beyond.  You can't see everything, but you know there is "more".  Searching can be the key to unlocking the doors to other worlds and understandings.  As information professionals we can unlock and open worlds for our users.  It isn't a perfect analogy, because instead of being the key... I would hope we could be the key makers and hand them out freely, so that our users can open and explore more on their own.
I am a teacher at heart, and believe that my calling is to help and to teach my users... helping them break down barriers to information in every way that I can.  This class has helped me to understand that there are always going to be new doors and rooms appearing that should be explored and unlocked.  We should never become professionally complacent, but we should do as we teach- and become life long learners... as such... life long searchers.

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My biggest takeaway from this course is just how deep and large and never ending the wealth of knowledge on the internet it. With all of that information out there is feels better to have some ideas of how to navigate it, and how to help others navigate it. I will never see all there is to see online, but at least I can find what I need to see. Having the skills to refine a search will be a big game changer in the future.

Search matters because it helps us not just to slake our curiosity, but to help it grow. If we stop searching for answers we will stop learning and gaining knowledge. Humanity cannot be complacent with the knowledge they have, people should always strive to learn more.

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The biggest thing that I think I've learned from this class is the absolute wealth of different resources that are out there. I've always been partial to the good ol' library catalog, but this class has definitely given me an intimate working knowledge of databases and the many ways we can use them. This class has also opened my eyes to the many, many web resources that are out there and allowed me to see the value in them as well. I chose this image as representative of how I feel, knowing that there is a whole universe of knowledge out there ready and waiting for us to find it. And yes, I do like looking for that knowledge.  I like searching for the sake of searching, and I like finding many options for others, and helping them to see that great big universe that's out there too!

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The biggest take away I had from this course is that while a lot of search does indeed boil down to matching up text strings, the way you go about doing it, the frame of reference you start the task with, and the back end influence of the search algorithms make a huge difference in how your search journey will take form.

I feel like I've already applied what I've learned here in my everyday life in some ways. I've said it before and I'll say it again. The SITE: search input is the most overlooked secret in all of searching. I've also been much more mindful of filter bubbles and how they affect us as information consumers.

It's easily evident that most people are more interested in the conclusion of their search efforts rather than the process. This makes sense since you search to find something. I would even say that not even all librarians "like" to search, but rather we are much more invested in the details of the process rather than just wanting it to work be done with.

To me personally the information landscape has a lot more to do with pop culture and fun facts than it does with academia. Before anyone pounces, what I mean by this is that people are much more precise in their search needs when they are looking up something simple and concise. If you want to know the first movie George Clooney starred in, you won't be satisfied until you get that exact answer. Looking up resources for a paper though, an end user is much more likely to go with something that is simply satisfactory, even if unbeknownst to them there is a better source in another database.

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My biggest takeaway is learning how to search, and how to refine searches.  The tools I learned in this class will serve as the foundation of my work as a librarian.

The search process to me is like an onion.  A librarian has to peel away each layer until they get to the core idea of what the patron is really looking for.

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My biggest ahas often came from our Search Activities, as well as from our readings. It was one thing to actually read about what makes search and the information landscape unique, and I was often pleasantly surprised to find that I was never bored of discussing or researching 'search'. The information landscape is very fast, but at least I now know that there are tried and true tools for navigating it. It's not quite as overwhelming as it once was!

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One of my biggest takeaways is that there is so much more out there than I ever knew, and that there will always be more out there than I can ever know, and that’s ok; what will serve me best is a carefully developed set of tools and resources that will help me dive into the unknown to find what I need for myself or for a patron.  That toolkit will also guide me toward high quality sources for the topic at hand.  As a side note, I’ve learned to approach sources differently, and to consider first which kind of source will be most valuable to answer my need rather than assuming one type of resource is always best.

The Voices of Search were great introductions to different facets of the information and library world, and each speaker was a wonderful resource.  I’ve started following a few of our speakers, like Louise Spiteri and Tasha Bergson-Michaelson, on social media to keep up with their activities and to hopefully engage with them professionally.

As for my image of search, I read an article a couple weeks ago in National Geographic about a cave range in Uzbekistan – no one knows how far it really extends.  They’ve discovered paths of all sizes and shapes, some that connect to each other or lead to the same place by vastly different means.  Some are difficult to navigate but get you to stunning places; others are more comfortable and can lead you to multiple new pathways.  In the article, experienced cavers know their way around and can orient themselves even in the darkness under the earth.  They know their routes but are always on the hunt for new paths and new discoveries.  For me, this is a perfect description of how I see search after this class.

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The biggest takeaways I have from the class are learning certain methods of search and also becoming familiar with some resources and tools for searching.  In essence, I discovered that there is always a much easier way to get a much better answer, result, etc. as long as you know the right tools and portals and how to properly use them.  I hope that I can apply what I’ve learned in order to help “those who like to find (not search)” as easily and accurately as possible, while also imparting these methods unto students, educators, and the public at large.  I also would like to educate others on being mindful about the dangers of the new world of search, such as a false sense of accuracy, “satisficing”, fake news, and filter bubbles.  Also, this class had made me consider the future of search, open access information, and AI, and also how I can impact them in my future career, or how these changes will impact me and my work.  Hearing other classmates viewpoints also greatly shaped how I felt about certain things, and swayed my opinions very much one way or another.  I love the environment and discussion we have shared here, and consider them invaluable.  All in all, I love search, which is why I will say that search is like cooking.  You have to keep your ingredients fresh, stay informed on what is going on, and of course be willing to experiment at times. You must create the menu in the mind of who is eating it - any vegetarians ..or this English major does not want to sift through this heavy medical text - and, most importantly, you want to keep them happy but also nutritious!  No junk food, no junk information!

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The biggest takeaways I have from this class are the tools and methods we have at our disposal to help make the searching process less stressful, and more streamlined. I will use these tools and skills to better help the patrons of my library in their searching endeavors and hopefully pass on skills I have learned. AHAs include the breadth of sources one can use for searching, I almost never consider starting with social media to find information for research. Search matters because information literacy and knowledge matters, and searching is a fundamental method of achieving that information literacy.

I feel like the information landscape is a network of roads, both well-traveled and rarely seen. These roads link together the libraries and information places of the world, both physically and digitally. Ultimately, the information landscape is one giant road map across the world.

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Jason's Reflection The information landscape is becoming more of a web of connections and less of a hierarchical model, more dynamic and less static. Libraries are no longer simply book palaces or knowledge repositories, they are community centers whose job is to help people navigate the information world as much as, if not more so than, finding resources and answering questions for them. Libraries must now be active participants in the community and in any discussion about information literacy, access, and ethics. On the technology side of things, advances like the semantic web, fueled by effective metadata and RDF, are creating nodes throughout the digital world that make countless connections. The big breakthrough is that this framework is decentralized, there is not a place or a site that is the 'hub' for all information access (although for many, Google remains an analogous entity). This decentralization means that access, both to finding resources and to publishing one's own work, is easier than ever. It also means that the potential to be overloaded and bogged down by irrelevant, low-quality, or false information has also risen considerably. In this era what is needed more than anything else is critical-thinkers and evidence-based decision making. While this is true for all professions, it is particularly true for the librarian or other information professionals. We have to accept and embrace our new role, not as gate keepers of knowledge, but as guides, teachers, senseis of effective and skeptical search. Our goal must be to help a generation of novice and often sloppy searchers to become informed, cognizant, and engaged community members.

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Jason's Reflection The information landscape is becoming more of a web of connections and less of a hierarchical model, more dynamic and less static. Libraries are no longer simply book palaces or knowledge repositories, they are community centers whose job is to help people navigate the information world as much as, if not more so than, finding resources and answering questions for them. Libraries must now be active participants in the community and in any discussion about information literacy, access, and ethics. On the technology side of things, advances like the semantic web, fueled by effective metadata and RDF, are creating nodes throughout the digital world that make countless connections. The big breakthrough is that this framework is decentralized, there is not a place or a site that is the 'hub' for all information access (although for many, Google remains an analogous entity). This decentralization means that access, both to finding resources and to publishing one's own work, is easier than ever. It also means that the potential to be overloaded and bogged down by irrelevant, low-quality, or false information has also risen considerably. In this era what is needed more than anything else is critical-thinkers and evidence-based decision making. While this is true for all professions, it is particularly true for the librarian or other information professionals. We have to accept and embrace our new role, not as gate keepers of knowledge, but as guides, teachers, senseis of effective and skeptical search. Our goal must be to help a generation of novice and often sloppy searchers to become informed, cognizant, and engaged community members.

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My most significant takeaway from this class is the many ways of searching, some of which I had no prior knowledge, the many tools available, and the many “hidden” ways to use common search tools, like Google. There’s a whole world of search out there that was unknown to me! This new search expertise can be applied on behalf of patrons, in order to help them obtain the information they seek (it seems there’s countless ways to adapt searches to individual queries), in addition to helping them become competent, independent searchers themselves.I think the information landscape looks like an old Victorian mansion, full of nooks and crannies and hidden passageways waiting to be discovered

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My most significant takeaway from this class is the many ways of searching, some of which I had no prior knowledge, the many tools available, and the many “hidden” ways to use common search tools, like Google. There’s a whole world of search out there that was unknown to me! This new search expertise can be applied on behalf of patrons, in order to help them obtain the information they seek (it seems there’s countless ways to adapt searches to individual queries), in addition to helping them become competent, independent searchers themselves.I think the information landscape looks like an old Victorian mansion, full of nooks and crannies and hidden passageways waiting to be discovered

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Kristin Deleasa

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I have certainly tried to develop more consciousness in my searching and to consider more strongly my audience, how their needs might vary and how I need to tailor my search to their particular information need.
I have started to employ more search alerts to "keep up" and also to use controlled vocabulary more.
I also consider where to start my search: Google or a more specific source? Using newly learned tips and tools has really helped me use Google more effectively, if not more often.

With regards to what the information landscape looks like, I thought about it in terms of a coffee shop. You walk in and are immediately hit with this aroma and are ready to dive right in. You're excited and you're focused on this need. But it's only an aroma, you've got to negotiate it to get just the right cup of coffee.
That's where the barista comes in. She has to figure out what you want in your cup. Light roast or dark? Decaf or caf? Milk or sugar? Our language here may differ. How the customer describes coffee may not be the same as how the barista does. Then there's the matter of Starbucks adulterating the macchiato... That's another story. Still, there's confusion about terminology, so the barista has to try and negotiate this need into a cup of coffee. Taking this a step further, some coffee shops have their "secret menus," the deep web of coffee culture. The precise barista, unlike the casual home coffee brewer, will use precise measurements and specific tools, i.e. scales and cappuccino makers, just as an information professional may use controlled vocabulary and databases.
And we keep going with this metaphor. The user may just need a quick cup of daily brew, i.e. a more superficial answer, whereas others want a pourover or aeropress, i.e. more in-depth searches.
I like, too, that the coffee shop metaphor brings in the social aspect of the information landscape, with customers sharing information with one another and with baristas and vice versa.
When we skip the negotiation with the barista, and we get the same old cup of coffee, what do we miss out on? We might not even know what's possible!

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My last post here got cut off--so I'll try it again!
Before this class I really hadn't paid attention to my searching behaviors and habits. I also had no idea how many different ways there was to search!
From our weekly readings and discussions to the Voices of Search videos, we learned about and explored so many search techniques that I had no awareness of! Learning about the depths of Boolean searching as well as truncation, command line searching and beyond, has really opened my eyes to the possibilities of search. All of these techniques we learned how to use within websites and databases can only better help us, help our patrons and students within the library, find what they need in ways that they may not have known of. Search matters because once we become aware of the different ways in which we can obtain information, we will try the different techniques and methods to get there, uncovering information we may not have otherwise seen. In taking notice of all of the different options, I began to visual search as different roads and pathways. Below I have attached a Google Slide of how I imagine the information landscape. (Click image below for full picture and description).

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My biggest takeaway from this class was the many different ways to search. I learned so many new forms of search. I also enjoyed learning about all that Google has to offer.
I will apply all of the search techniques personally and I will teach them all to the students that I will be helping. The information landscape looks like a giant black hole ( in a good way !). The search world is HUGE and there are so many results and ways to retrieve results that I imagine literally a giant black hole of the offerings of the internet.

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What I can say is most important about what I learned is that because of the rapid evolution of search, that it is not enough just to keep up yourself. It requires you as the librarian to make sure that your patrons/audience is aware of what is available. Your patrons will no doubt be participating and influencing this evolution especially when it comes to mobile search but it is important to make them aware of changes in things like Google. When we covered the alternative search engines in class, I realized that something like Duck Duck Go will be important to me as a potential high school media specialist.  Students may not want to exclusively use a database and so they should have access to another easy to use interface like aforementioned.

To me, it is tough to envision what the information landscape looks like. Considering what we learned about Deep Web, what I could potentially show to students really just scratches the surface of the information landscape. What I do see, is a connection of networks (well duh, it's the internet) that is accessed with primarily mobile devices. There is so much information out there yet, most people are just information finders not searchers. An average person does not even make contact with the surface of the landscape. There is so much to know, I cannot even begin to say what I do not know!

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Navigating different databases in general is less daunting after all I’ve learned throughout the semester. I am more confident in my ability to formulate queries and obtain information. One of my biggest Ahas! Is using thesauri and combining my search history terms with Boolean operators. Roy Tennant’s assertion rings true to me because just a couple of months ago I wasn’t a student in this program and I just liked to find the answers, now after getting started on this journey, learning the history of information retrieval systems, the developments of people’s reaction to the internet and all of the different things that goes into the world of search, I see the beauty in it.  I truly enjoy the act of searching. I will apply what I’ve learned all throughout school I am sure and once I behind the desk as a librarian I will further apply all strategies learned along the way to help others when they need it. I drew a picture of what the information landscape looks like to me. Search is natural and an innate part of who we are as humans so I made my drawing very worldly and full of nature. The search landscape is also all encompassing and globally intertwined so I tried to make all of my images blend into one another. I feel like my place in the search landscape at this very moment is as a learner. I am still observing a new way of looking at and for things. In the future I think my place will be to help and teach others what I learn now.