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I wanted to start out by saying how much I've enjoyed this class. I wish I had the ability to do a deep dive into all the resources that we've been given this semester. I've learned so much about databases and search that I didn't know. I actually wish I got more reference questions at work so that I could use my new skills more often. Our usage statistics are still really low. I think what I'm struggling with is how best to get people using our online resources. Working in a public library, most people aren't there to actually use our resources for research. I'm sure there are members of the community that have research needs that don't know about our resources, but I don't know how to make them aware of it beyond posting on social media and hanging up flyers in the library.

The Voices of Search videos were great in showing what you can do with a career in Information Science. I know that we spend a lot of time focusing on librarianship, but there are lots of other options for someone with these skills. Seeing the people who have essentially made their own jobs to fill niche needs was particularly inspiring.

I did actually kind of enjoy creating the search guide. I wish I had chosen a different topic, though. I went with citizenship and naturalization. The first guide I created was more of a "how-to" than a research guide. When I tried to revamp it and turn it into a research guide, I realized that you really need more robust resources than we have available at our library. I chose to continue on with the guide using only our resources so that I can actually use the guide at our library. It would have been much more successful if I hadn't been so stubborn and had just turned it into a research guide on immigration law using Rutgers resources. Oh well.

It was nice to meet all of you! It looks like the search world is in good hands. :) If you want, you can follow me on Twitter @TheLibraryLouse

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Honestly, where do I begin? While volunteering in my kids’ school library, I got the idea that being a school librarian was something that I would be interested in doing. While speaking with the librarian, she explained that this was her second career as well. From that day, I was unable to remove the idea of becoming an elementary school librarian from my head. Fast-forward 3 years and here I am. However, after taking this course I find myself perplexed, overwhelmed, hopeful, and excited all that the same time. The idea of working in a school still is satisfies me, however other avenues, such as public librarianship, are intriguing me as well.

The one thing that allowed me to realize that no matter what the final outcome is, I definitely prefer to search than find! I remember hearing that said… the reality set in that I was definitely on the right path.

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At the close of this course, my biggest takeaways are the newly discovered (purchased?) tools I now have in my toolkit. These technical search tools will help me navigate, keep up with, and push on through the vast world of information laid out in front of us on a daily basis. The search languages and the databases and interfaces in which to utilize them have enabled me to not only conduct my own successful searches, but have enabled me the confidence to help others effectively. I have a buffet of strategies to choose from, all championed by experts in the field.

Now, the information landscape for me looks navigable in a way that was never before! Where in the past I was able to see the landscape for what it was, a maze of sorts to an end-goal, - one of which I was able to tap my way through maze walls, encounter a series of dead-ends, and reach the end in exhaustion - I now have a bucket of tools to navigate my way to a confident conclusion. I may see my peers, clients, or patrons beside me confused, scared, or intimidated by this landscape, but I am confident that I can accompany them, show them the tools I can now implement along the way to aid them in their journey and arrive at their search destination with satisfaction.

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My biggest takeaway from this course is about how many different components of search there are. Between different means of searching like databases and search engines, to the intricate methods of searching on those platforms involving Boolean operators, command line searching, advanced search, or utilizing thesauri, and then future of search and how all of these elements need to constantly be practiced and taught to every generation to improve overall information literacy. Search helps to inform our world and searching while using best practices will help to properly inform our world.

I’m hoping to be able to apply what I have learned throughout the rest of my time in this program, to utilize these skills in my future position, and also integrate these lessons into my daily search habits. I’d like to become more comfortable using all of the search methods we practiced throughout the course so they become second nature and I am better equipped to help those around me with their search needs.

As part of my final paper for my children’s literacy class I chose to read the novel From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. Within the novel is the following quote, “…often the search proves more profitable than the goal.” I thought this quote was very fitting for the course and connects back to Roy Tennant’s remark about searching versus finding. The image I created contains the quote overlaid on the book’s cover giving a sense of searching as you distinguish the cover from the quote.

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My biggest takeaway was the complexity of the history and current state of the world of search. Going into the course, I was aware about the cultural importance of search, and I expected to find a broad field of search-related institutions and structures. However, I was surprised by the history and peculiarity of many aspects of search. On my own information searches as a private citizen, I would have never known about targeted vocabulary or command line searching. Now, I feel prepared to use targeted vocabulary in my career; and while I will probably avoid command line searching unless strictly necessary, I appreciate its advanced functionality for certain searches, and feel that learning its history enriches my perspective on the world of search.

I will apply what I’ve learned by teaching it to others. I think that many of these search strategies are simple and useful, and that patrons would appreciate knowing about some of the advanced features of the search functions they use daily. Socially, we are in need of easier and clearer routes to truthful information, and I think it is our job as information professionals to educate our patrons on better search practices

My perspective on the world of search is too nebulous for me to boil down into a two-line meme format. Instead, I created a visual representation on paper of shapes expanding from their origin points, overlapping each other, and traveling in many directions. I feel that the circles represent the disparate platforms or methods for undergoing search, and the lines represent a single search and how it can travel though the searcher's evolving information need and use different strategies before it meets its end goal of fulfilling the information need.

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I think my biggest takeaway/AHA was really how many different avenues of search there are.  There are so many more facets of search than just putting some information into a google search bar.  I've learned about databases, facet analysis and really how the deeper you go, the more you can find.
I don't expect as a school librarian for grades 4-8 that I will . become a real information search expert, but what I have learned is how to teach my students how to access more accurate and better information through use of databases.  Sometimes they will need to think beyond the google bar and figure out what it is they are looking for and then where the best place to access that information lies.  That's where I hope to become their go-to "expert", whether it's Online Britannica, Proquest or other databases that I have begun to research.
This has been an eye opening class and it's been enjoyable meeting Dr. Boyer and having Dr. Valenza for a second time. I hope to continue to understand how best to access information and will continue to read the blogs I have subscribed to in this class.

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One of my biggest takeaways of the semester was how huge the world of searching is. I had experience with Google of course, as well as some other databases, but I learned so many new techniques and strategies for smarter searching. I thought I was a decent Google searcher before this class, but now I realize I had so much to learn about searching. I also learned a lot about social
media and how library professionals can use it to their advantage, something I know will be helpful to me in the future.
I think I will be able to apply some of the lessons I have learned this semester about searching, and it will be helpful in my current job as well as future jobs.  I hope that I can teach patrons some of the skills I have learned and they can use those skills when searching on their own.
When I think about search, I see something very similar to the infographic I found on Kapwing.  I see a main idea in the middle and lots of different lines going in different directions to show the different areas your search can go to.  I don't think of search as very straightforward, so I wanted to find something with ideas going different ways.

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My biggest takeaways would be how in depth the world of search is; from the perspective of a user, to that of an information specialist. I remember the enjoyment of going to the library in my youth, searching card catalogues and using the Dewey Decimal system … searching microfiche, newspapers, magazines, textbooks and thick encyclopedias. Technology has advanced the means and ways in which we access information – allowing any user anywhere to literally connect to the world with just one click. I enjoyed the many interviews and perspectives shared by those professionals in the field – from medical research to culinary school, it is comforting and inspiring to see so many branches to the MLIS tree. I also learned new ways to search familiar engines such as Google, and how to effectively navigate databases using filters. Designing a LibGuide was one of the highlights of this course, and was something I enjoyed creating. From an educational perspective – LibGuides are a practical and useful means of collaboration, and a great way for a new school librarian to engage with both students and colleagues.

Search matters because the destination depends on the path… it is an answer to a question that may or may not be asked…it is limitless in return…its is access to knowledge – access to the world…increasing an understanding of ourselves, and our shared global community.

Below - my digital interpretation of what the information landscape looks like in the technological age of search.

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My biggest takeaway is that the world of search is enormous and that there is still so much to be explored, and that as technology grows and changes, there will be even more resources, more tools, more information to search for and to search through. One big aha for me was that the dark web can be and is sometimes used for good, as I had never before seen it portrayed in a positive light--as was mentioned in that lecture, we sometimes take for granted the freedoms we have and we don't always realize that people in other countries and in certain situations may not have the luxury of searching the surface web safely and freely. That itself was another aha for me too; though I had vaguely known about internet restrictions in other countries, this class made me more aware of how those kinds of restrictions can make a dramatic difference on search.
I think I've already started to apply what I've learned whenever I use a search engine. I sometimes fact-check at my job, and I've noticed that I consider my search queries more carefully now before I enter them, and I'm constantly using Google search tips from Russell and Brown.
Re Tennant's "Only librarians like to search. Everyone else likes to find."--when I first heard that quote, my immediate thought was that I like to search and find, and I still feel the same way. I think I have a greater appreciation, now, though, of the backend process that goes into search engines and databases, and also a greater appreciation of the sometimes surprising and serendipitous discoveries that can be made while searching for something else.
It's hard to think of a single metaphor that can encapsulate the entirety of the information landscape, and maybe there isn't one, since the information landscape is just so vast. I have a somewhat silly metaphor, which comes from thinking recently about Harry Potter, about some (definitely not all) aspects of the information landscape being like Rowling's wizarding world: Navigating the information landscape can be like navigating Hogwarts Castle's moving staircases. Things are constantly shifting, and you might get your foot stuck in a trick stair every once in a while. Sometimes you'll come across bad actors like Peeves or Malfoy, who will give you bad information, and other times you'll find a Hermione who will tell you everything you need to know and more. Some areas of information are siloed based on who you are. Non-institution-affiliated people are like Muggles--they can't access the richness, depth, and breadth of information from databases (or for Muggles, the wizarding world), and most aren't even aware of it. Country-specific internet restrictions are kind of like being sorted into House dormitories and not being able to visit those other common rooms. The dark web is like the Forbidden Forest--taboo, violent, dangerous, but it has a few small spots of light (unicorns!), with journalists and activists using the dark web to help others. Lastly, our search strategies and tools are like spells. They can be magic, but we have to know how to use them to do what we want.

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I am quite fortunate to have learned so much in this class! I did not realize how complex and intricate search can be. However, I also realize how it is easy to take this idea of search for granted. In taking this course, I knew that it would be challenging, but I did not know quite what to expect. What I found intriguing is from my learning and understanding of the weekly exercises, I made attempts to use those skills and apply them in my workplace. I have used some of the truncation and wildcard techniques with some pretty good results. I’ve come to understand that the more you know technically as an information professional the better off you are. Also, what is most important is the reference interview or the conversation you have with the library patron. It is good to critically assess what the library patron is looking for and what they are not looking for. This may sound easy, but you will come to realize, that even at times, the library patron may not necessarily know what they want. This is where the tools of patience, listening, and strategic deciphering will be most useful.

Search is so important in our everyday lives because we are constantly looking for information. We simply must know and must find what we desire. It is what drives us, motivates us, and it is the reason why we have the internet. Without the internet, I believe life would be pretty boring because it is what makes search so interesting. I believe it is in our DNA that we are explorers of information, and the worldwide web has provided us with an opportunity to satisfy that hunger in searching in the information landscape, and it is a vast landscape that will continue to get bigger and bigger.  I just hope that I do not get devoured by its enormity!

My visualization of how the information landscape looks like to me!

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This semester was a huge period of learning for me. It was my first semester in the MI program, so this whole new world of search took a while to get used to. Because of this, I came into this course thinking that searching well equals searching complexly. I had seen some of the searching algorithms and advanced tools and instantly assumed that I should only use those from then on. That hurt my searches. I began to make everything more complicated than it needed to be straight off the bat, when some questions really can be answered with a simple good search. Now, when my friends or family ask for help with finding information online, they can be astounded with the simplicity of searches I begin with. The thing is, they are effective and a great place to start.

I also learned to not distrust a medium. Our talks of information horizons made me realize that I had a strong bias in favor of information from some mediums and not from others. For example, I would put more credence in written words rather than spoken ones, even if the source was the same person. Now, I know that the medium should not turn me away from valuing information. It is merely one factor out of many that determine whether information is useful in a given context.

Overall, this class taught me a lot and I am grateful to have taken it. There are loads of search skills that I learned which I will carry with me throughout my information science career. Thank you!

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I am going to be brief about my reflection and I am sure there will be similar positive sentiments about this course.  This course was very useful to me and I have enjoyed every aspect of it, but my heavy work and school load. The activities were useful and the discoveries were memorable. I enjoyed the voices of Search each week, very useful as it is always important to hear best practices from someone working in the field. I have vivid memories of a few that resonated with me. I do like to search now. I have found some useful resources (portals, websites and databases to consult). Not forgetting I learned how to use libguide to create an information guide.

I am proposing that every student should be exposed to this course early in their degree journey. It is applicable in your everyday life and would tremendously help you throughout your degree journey.

I have enhanced my appreciation for librarians as I am more equipped with knowledge about their work and responsibilities.

Further, I am attesting that Search and Information Landscape course enhanced my information behavior as I am more knowledgeable about sources of information to consult when the need arises (myself and others).

It was nice working with this group and thank you Dr. Joyce.

This was my final semester. All the best to those on you continuing your journey and congratulations to those of you who have finished.

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My biggest takeaways include how much more vast the information landscape is than I previously thought, namely the proportion of content comprising the deep and dark Webs. I also learned that deep-Web content does not necessarily equate with material that is unethical or needs to be viewed cynically (for example, articles from academic databases). Another big takeaway was open access, learning about the philosophies of different people regarding the topic and its implications.

Additionally, the search strategies we learned have prepared me so much more for work as a librarian, including facet analysis/logical combination, imagining the perfect source, and using image searches to efficiently find examples of documents (like resumes or memos). I will apply these search strategies, as well as preparing my strategy in advance of searching, rather than quickly defaulting to a search engine or not contemplating which search terms to use.

Personal-learning networks and on-going professional development will provide sources of growth and education in my career going forward, too.

I prepared a poster for my metaphor and posted it to Google Drive for viewing.

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My biggest takeaway is actually what my meme is about: good research requires preparation. My old process of throwing words into a search engine, even into the search engine of a subject database without doing pre-search planning about what it is I am actually looking to answer was a bad strategy. Sure, I could find what I needed a lot of the time but spending a few minutes thinking about facets and synonyms and understanding the structure of search always gives me better results.

I think that Roy Tennant understands me. 😊 I think, like Dr. V. said in her last lecture, there is just something hardwired into my DNA that makes me love research. I like to look down the alleyways for clues and sift through them to find the best answer. It always surprises me when people I know don’t get that kind of thrill that comes with solving those mysteries.

I learned that social media isn’t just a way to waste some time. I am following a lot of librarians on Twitter now (after having run away from Twitter years ago, I have a new account) and learning new things, good and bad about library world. I have learned a lot about the history of medicine on Instagram and Facebook and Twitter—who knew all of that existed? And I am taking Dr. V’s words to heart about following experts to learn and to keep updated.

Something I took away from this class that isn’t search-specific is importance of equal access to information through both brick and mortar libraries and the internet. Reading about the needs of rural, indigenous, and lower income urban communities really hit home to me. I have always had access to libraries, coming from the really strong Queens NY public library system, and to the internet and have always taken this for granted.

This has been a great class and it built on and expanded what I learned in Reference and in Government Information Resources. The world of search is so vast and I am glad I had an opportunity to explore more of it.

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I think my biggest takeaway from this class has been learning about how to navigate database batter. I knew how to search at a college student level, but this class has really expanded my knowledge to an advance level. I feel so much more confident in my own search abilities as well as teaching others. I have been able to apply this new skill at my current job at a public library with novelist. It has also given me a passion for open access and the anger of paywall for information. I have enjoyed the voices of search the most from this class. I have found that it has helped me try to figure out where I want to be in the future.

Not really a meme but I saw this on my social media, and this is why I want to be a librarian. Using these search skills for good!

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This may sound odd, but after taking this course, I feel like I have learned so, so much about search this semester -- especially just how much there is left to learn, to keep up with, to expand on. We could have spent more time on so many topics: Open Access, library/search ethics, alternate search engines and portals, the reference interview, database search strategies… but it has been so interesting and helpful to be introduced to or reviewing these topics in our texts, in our discussions with one another, and through the creation of LibGuides and tutorials. I absolutely loved the experience of the weekly search activities, and how much more confident I felt, in terms of looking at search from both my own and the user’s perspective. Getting hands-on experience about what we were learning, and viewing the voices of search conversations with professionals in the field, was really amazing and enriching.

The first meme I chose (attached below in a Google doc) brought to mind the idea of ever-evolving technology, and the user’s perspective -- it also reminds me of Roy Tennant’s quote, and the notion of finding vs. searching and retrieval; instant gratification vs. librarians and us information professionals being interested in the journey, not just the destination, but how we got there. There’s also the idea of technology being limited, but not acknowledging how amazing it is that we got this far, which connects back to Tim Berners Lee and how we take the invention of Internet for granted; both us in terms of people and users, but even as librarians and information professionals. I get the feeling that I am an exception to the rule, but I often thoroughly enjoy the process of searching in itself. Even before working in libraries or going to graduate school, I found I enjoyed spending time looking in books and online, finding and reading scholarly articles and books on topics that interested me, as well as those I didn’t understand, like quantum mechanics, space exploration, dinosaurs (of course), evolution, why people dream, psychology, virtual reality, artificial intelligence… I don’t know if anyone is sensing a theme, but some of this research has also been to feed my writing, as someone who writes science fiction (and occasionally fantasy, magical realism, surrealistic) stories and books (yet to be published), but sometimes I just kind of like to dive into a rabbit hole and see where I end up.

The 2nd meme speaks to the role of Google and other search engines, not just in defining search and being the expectation now, but in how its changed search -- and the importance of not simply brushing aside or looking down on/discouraging users from consulting Google, Wikipedia, etc. Which is frankly 100% unrealistic, but realizing it’s the reality and providing guidance in this realm, in the form of tips and advanced search features, image searching, use of Google custom search engines, and more to steer users (esp. students!) in the right direction from their point of entry. As many others have said, I absolutely wish I had taken this course early in my MI degree, but I am so glad to have taken it now, and I know for a fact I will be referring back to all that we’ve done here.

This may sound odd, but after taking this course, I feel like I have learned so, so much about search this semester -- especially just how much there is left to learn, to keep up with, to expand on. We could have spent more time on so many topics: Open Access, library/search ethics, alternate search engines and portals, the reference interview, database search strategies… but it has been so interesting and helpful to be introduced to or reviewing these topics in our texts, in our discussions with one another, and through the creation of LibGuides and tutorials. I absolutely loved the experience of the weekly search activities, and how much more confident I felt, in terms of looking at search from both my own and the user’s perspective. Getting hands-on experience about what we were learning, and viewing the voices of search conversations with professionals in the field, was really amazing and enriching.

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My biggest takeaway form the Information Landscape class was how important and relevant librarianship remains. Information matters and librarians are the ones who find, organize, evaluate, and present information. Despite the many advances in technology, human agency is still necessary. Algorithms often make mistakes and human intervention and collaboration are essential. This class was comprehensive covering such a wide range of relevant topics including the intricacies of search and the various databases and platforms. Additionally, I learned some shortcuts that I wish I had in previous years as an undergraduate student.  “Aha moments” were learning about recent innovations in technology as well as the importance of scholarly research. The ranking system and bibliometrics and altmetrics were also new to me. I found the technology to be extremely challenging and I worry about keeping up in an environment that is constantly changing. I did learn how to do some new basic skills as well as  the more challenging skill of creating a libguide, which was really exciting. I didn’t know what a widget was before this class and now I can embed one into a guide!

I agree with Roy Tennant about librarians enjoying the search. I actually like the search process because I am always learning something new through the experience. I also believe that the more one knows the more one realizes that there is more to learn. I try to instill this value in my own kids, underscoring that we are all lifelong learners and should always continue to learn and grow. Librarians assist with aiding people in their life long learning journey, finding and presenting quality information. Information is essential for a thriving democracy and for thriving individuals to live rich and fulfilling lives.
(I picked this picture because it shows a hidden passage in a library with more books behind the door. I think that this conveys the idea of always being able to extract more information within the search process. A closed door may lead to a new direction).

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My biggest takeaways include the idea that search is a process. It requires pre-planning which saves time in the long run. It is a conversation that is iterative and can build on itself (pearl growing) or can be a conversation with the user (reference). I think this class has added some useful tools to my toolbox as a librarian and ways I can help others. I also think it has highlighted why it is important to help others understand what resources they have available, and how to search better.

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I think my biggest takeaway from this class is the fact that there is so much to learn and that the field of information is constantly changing! Yes, it can be an incredible challenge at times, but I think having a positive attitude and always being curious will help.

I think the meme below is fairly accurate in depicting what the information landscape looks like to many people. If you're looking for a specific path or a certain type of tree, you need to know how to recognize them so you won't get lost and/or overwhelmed. If a person doesn't have the background knowledge and navigational skills to do this themselves, they'll need an information professional such as a librarian to act as their guide. We, as information professionals, are armed with the knowledge of the landscape as well as the navigational skills needed to lead others and help them discover what they're looking for.

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My biggest takeaways / ahas! would have to be related to how much broader and more diverse I feel I am when it comes to search strategies and resources. One of my refrains throughout this course was that I WISH I had taken it sooner! I thought I had been pretty good with my strategies before, but I realized how much I was missing out on as soon as we really began doing our deep dives into database search as well as the ever expanding world of Google and other web-based search engines and tools. Though, perhaps just as interesting were our weekly discussions with folks from all over library land. It really was inspiring to see how wide open the field was, with all the variety of careers and aspirations held by librarians and other information professionals throughout the semester. It really did make me feel like this training we are getting is so much more applicable than I (and certainly others) thought! Though I have always been exasperated and confused by people thinking that the roles for librarians are shrinking, this course has made me double down on how silly a notion that is. If only librarians like to search, than our roles have become more important as information explosions like we see on the web requires good searching - anyone can find. But what people find might not be quality.

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At the end of this course the statement “search matters” seems to be a given, but to many it is an overlooked aspect of their online experiences. Search matters because we don’t know everything and by extension, we’re not going to be able to find things we don’t know anything about. Learning how to search helps to alleviate this issue.
Because I changed jobs part through the semester from a technical services to a public services job, I’ve gotten the chance to immediately begin applying what we’ve learned in class. Learning about search vernacular and operators has helped me feel that I can keep up with colleagues who have been in this environment for much longer. I will also continue to cultivate the professional networks we’ve been building over the course of the semester.
I created a sketch of "Information Landscaping" reimagining the information landscape as precisely that. There is a search engine forest and a gated database garden bed, as well as a dark web gopher hole. And of course, a shed filled with your search tools.

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Search matters because it’s all around us. Even before the internet and smart phones connected us to nearly unlimited information all day every day, people still looked for information. It’s human nature. It’s one of the most interesting things I have found about this entire program. The concepts and practices exist without librarians there to assign, correct, or perform. This classes especially highlights ways to improve the process that patrons do on their own. We learn the tips and tricks, so they can come to use for the heavy lifting. The searching still would have happened, or at least the wondering would still have happened. I always think it’s interesting when people talk about how much humans have changed because of technology. There have been somethings, of course, but in terms of search the only difference is that questions get answered. Over Thanksgiving, my staunchly anti-technology grandfather wondered aloud about something while we were waiting for the turkey to cook. Without hesitating my sister and I pulled out our phones and raced to get him answer. Even he conceded how convenient that was. He has never used a smart phone or gone on the internet, so he isn’t used to the conveniences. Still, he wondered about something trivial. In the past, or without my sister and me, his question just wouldn’t have been answered. He might have been okay with that in this case. But there are many, many other instances where no answer isn’t an option. That’s why search matters.

In this class, we covered how to make search better and easier for ourselves and for our patrons. We built a robust toolkit and learned how to connect information to all kinds of places. So I picked the following image.

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I found it very helpful to discuss the information landscape in detail this past semester. Analyzing the information landscape from so many varied perspectives this semester helped me to feel a lot less intimidated about navigating it.  I think the best bit of information is really the proverbial needle in the haystack and search matters because finding the right information matters. It’s very true: We don’t know what we don’t know. Therefore, an effective search can help a user identify key information. While this may not be as important for the high school or the undergraduate student, it may very well matter to the graduate student, the researcher, or the legal or medical professional.

Practicing search using databases and using Google (or search engines) was very worthwhile. Creating the video tutorial (modeling database use) was a helpful exercise because I now know I can teach someone how to use a database. In addition to knowing how to search, interpreting or mediating (as in the reference interview) and conveying information (in the form of instruction) are very important skills. The same is true of Google as well.

It’s interesting how i have started using resources in tandem. For example, knowing that the library catalog is limited and not very intuitive, I now search for information using both Google and the library catalog at the same time. I know this seems very practical and natural, but for some reason (being new to library), I thought I had to stick to the catalog (because that’s what I thought librarians did!). Therefore having explored the information landscape in depth, I feel more confident about search and I eager to try new ways of approaching search.

The information landscape looks bright! I think the biggest challenge will be keeping abreast of change (of course, tools and professional standards will impact how I keep up). Markey explains that the librarian is an important link in the flow of information. In the past I hadn’t really thought about the role of the librarian in quite this way, and I now know that the librarian’s role goes beyond the single exchange between librarian and user and extends to the librarian’s broader understanding of what is happening in the information landscape. Having a good frame of reference makes my objectives clear and I think having this picture or vision of what is expected of me is my greatest takeaway.

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I still keep coming back to Roy Tennant's saying, "Only librarians like to search; everyone else likes to find." I do think that searching is part of the fun, but, unless one knows how to search, one will never find the best information. Before becoming a librarian, I was a researcher. I loved poring over books, chasing footnotes, and finding obscure references. This has carried over into my library work. I do enjoy finding unique information, and this is often only possible with good search skills. I think searching has become even more important today. I was surprised (and maybe not) to hear Sullivan say that Google is more focused on the consumer than the researcher. It feels that everything (shopping, politics, entertainment) is becoming pre-packaged and delivered to us without any work on our part. I've never been one to accept the easy information.

To me, the information landscape looks somewhat overwhelming. There is simply too much information right now for it to be processed well. I am hopeful that skills I learned in this class will help me to navigate these resources!

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This course has been far and away one of the most useful and practical courses that I've taken in my educational history.  I took it on a whim to fill the last credits that I needed for my degree and I am certainly glad my dart landed on this space on the board.  Almost everything that I have learned in this course is practical and useful to me in a real world setting.  I've already put into place curated searches, custom google search engines, better Twitter feeds, and more in both my professional and personal life.

One of my biggest takeaways, is that I work as a DBA for a large business school, and much of the work I do on databases is on the technical side.  In this course I learned about the other side of databases and how incredibly useful they are for doing almost any kind of research.  The sheer amount of them is staggering and they will have a match for any subject matter.

In today's digital age, technology is constantly changing and evolving to include different ways of doing things, but this course kept it relevant and fun. Hearing from so many different searchers and learning so many ways to do things that people thing you can just Google was amazing to me and I'll be using all of these skills in my future. Thank you for the wonderful class!

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This course has been the most meaningful course I have taken at Rutgers. My advisor recommended I take this course and I am glad she did. I learned so much about research databases and Google.  My biggest takeaway from this course is the discovery of databases I do not typically utilize.  For example, I discovered Factiva in this course and have used it heavily for another course.  The most important takeaway I learned in this course is the importance of Google in the research field.  There are so many  Google features available to researchers.  I will continue to use Google sites as will as the advanced search features offered.

However,  the presence of search engine like Google have also increased the amount of fake news available.  Markey and several other  researchers highlighted the importance of evaluating the credibility of resources.  Information professionals are needed to complete these evaluations.

In addition, this course made me really consider how socioeconomic status impacts the type of research an individual can conduct. I am deeply concerned about how knowledge is limited by one's income.

I am interested in become a law librarian. When I think about the legal field, I think all lawyers must spend time with a law librarian to practice successfully.

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I really found value in the inclusion of Google as a search tool in this course.  Rather than poo-pooing Google searches as less credible, this course allowed me to see the benefit of Google search and helped me understand it’s relevance and importance in today’s day and age.  I’ve already started the discussion with my students about the values of databases vs. Google in their research. I always appreciate discussions about credibility of sources and I’m glad it was included.One thing I really appreciated about this course is its flexibility in the sense that you can make the content and activities work for you.  Allowing me to focus on my current setting of a K-4 public school library made the learning more authentic and relevant for me. That being said, I would hardly consider myself an “expert intermediary searcher” but I’ve definitely learned a ton about search!  I’ve already started including search strategies in my library lessons in Destiny Follett and Pebble Go Next. Our public librarian is coming to show the kids search strategies in Explorer next month.When I was thinking about a metaphor for search, I thought about Maurice Elias's "Jumbled Schoolhouse" for social-emotional learning.  It's basically a way to organize the many different SEL programs in a school so that it makes sense.  I recreated it to symbolize what I thought was a bunch of search topics thrown together that didn't make much sense.  Towards the end of the semester, I'm able to see the importance of the topics on their own and both connected to each other.  

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I really found value in the inclusion of Google as a search tool in this course.  Rather than poo-pooing Google searches as less credible, this course allowed me to see the benefit of Google search and helped me understand it’s relevance and importance in today’s day and age.  I’ve already started the discussion with my students about the values of databases vs. Google in their research. I always appreciate discussions about credibility of sources and I’m glad it was included.One thing I really appreciated about this course is its flexibility in the sense that you can make the content and activities work for you.  Allowing me to focus on my current setting of a K-4 public school library made the learning more authentic and relevant for me. That being said, I would hardly consider myself an “expert intermediary searcher” but I’ve definitely learned a ton about search!  I’ve already started including search strategies in my library lessons in Destiny Follett and Pebble Go Next. Our public librarian is coming to show the kids search strategies in Explorer next month.When I was thinking about a metaphor for search, I thought about Maurice Elias's "Jumbled Schoolhouse" for social-emotional learning.  It's basically a way to organize the many different SEL programs in a school so that it makes sense.  I recreated it to symbolize what I thought was a bunch of search topics thrown together that didn't make much sense.  Towards the end of the semester, I'm able to see the importance of the topics on their own and both connected to each other.  

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There are many meaningful experiences and takeaways from this semester, I’m finding it hard to narrow down to just a few. However in terms of my career as a school librarian, one of the most meaningful experiences was the ability to discover, explore, and critique a number of paid databases that I wouldn’t normally be able to access. Though our search activities, and database of the week tours, I was able to become familiar with options for my school that I wasn’t aware of, along with the knowledge to make the argument for funding to include some of them in our curriculum budget. I also enjoyed learning additional strategies to help search for quality information. Learning about how to effectively search within databases using controlled vocabulary and facet searching, as well as discovering all the little tricks to search more efficiently within Google made me excited to put those strategies to the test while curating information for our LibGuide. One of my favorite search activities was the Google Advanced Power Searching Challenge.  I loved this assignment which seemed like an escape room puzzle to me. I certainly became engrossed in the search process.  I was acutely aware of all the strategies that I was using to complete the task, and I enjoyed every minute of it.  Another assignment that I will definitely take with me is the idea of creating a custom Google search engine. Sharing this concept with my colleagues is a must, and I can’t wait to share with students as well. Throughout this course I also appreciated the opportunity to learn and  discuss important topics such as filterbubbles, credibility/authority, open access and information privacy. Becoming more informed with these key concepts of the search landscape as better prepared me to make an impact in my school library with the students, teachers and parents in my community.

The gif I created below serves to illustrate the confidence this class has given me in terms of moving forward as an information professional.

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I think I will apply what I’ve learned this semester by trying to become a more patient searcher, especially when I am helping patrons during reference interviews (which I do in my position of Head of Information, a LOT). I can do this by not focusing my search on finding easy answers, but by using the vast landscape of the Internet and online databases to explore. I think Markey’s suggestions for how to identify what kind of reference question you are fielding will be very helpful, as I sometimes struggle with being able to identify what queries require a simple search, and which ones require that kind of exploration.

And search matters now more than ever because we are living in this Digital Age, and we have so many different ways to search, but this does not mean we are necessarily equipped with the tools we need to search efficiently and confidently. Search is everywhere, anyone who has access to a computer or smartphone or a library can attest to that; it is now up to information professionals to help the public hone their searching skills so that we all can be informed, skillful searchers. As we have learned ignorance is not bliss, and searching capably and confidently can protect us from misinformation and fake news.

I just want to say how glad I am that I took this course! It was so enlightening, and I am already using so much of what I learned this semester in my everyday practice at the library where I work. Please see my meme below, which about sums up what the search landscape looks like to me.

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I really enjoyed this course. I wish I had taken it at the beginning of my MI journey rather that at the end… but what a great class to end on! Cheers to Joyce for her passion and dedication to the topic and to teaching! I am leaving the MI program with a great tool kit and many of those tools were added from this course alone.

Here’s my additions from this course:

PLN: My twitter feed brings me so much more than it ever has before. I am more interested and eager to read it than ever before

Google: I feel the vail has been lifted a bit. I have not only a better understanding of what Google is doing “for me” but how I can use Google search better.

Search strategies: If nothing else, these strategies have set me up to think first and search smart.

Subscription databases: Oh, how I wish I had this knowledge earlier in my MI program. My searches are now much more effective and working for me rather than me fighting with the database.

Visualizing search results: At first I wasn’t sold on this, but I tried it when searching for resources to include in my Assignment 2 research guide. For me this was a great tool for searching for web content.

Back in Week 1, I was a bit put out by Roy Tennant’s assertion: "Only librarians like to search. Everyone else likes to find." I didn’t think this could be true since I felt everyone searches now with Google at their fingertips. The last 14 weeks have changed my view of this assertion. I am more aligned with it than I would have imagined. Google finds, and there is where most users seem to stop. Search goes deeper; finding information, what the information provides to the user, and where it can take us. As an information professional, search provides me a means of educating others, not just on how to search, but by providing tools like research guides that can support user’s information needs.

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I went into the course with some trepidation and believing I would learn some tips & tricks to better navigate search. Now I can honestly say I have emerged from the information fog I didn’t even realize I was in with a new appreciation and respect for information literacy techniques, feeling a bit more fluent in the vocabulary of search, able to envision the inter-connectedness of the landscape elements.

This course should be a requirement for all those studying to be information professionals. One gains insights to become a better student/searcher, which can be applied in every course. But more importantly one cans an applied understanding of information environment which is critical to anyone interacting with users. While one can study Bates, Dervin, Kuhlthau, etc. this course is a real-world laboratory for the information search process.

Personally, I am a pearl grower, always have been, but didn’t have a formal name to attach to the behavior. Karen Markey and I have the same approach to a solving problem. We muck around for a while, get a general understanding of what’s possible, what’s relevant and what’s not. Then we drive whole hog into the problem. To mean, this allows me to get a firm foundation in the topic and become familiar with the terminology. I do sometimes become distracted, but I know now it’s acceptable as long as one values one time and gets back to task (thank you M.E. Bates).

I have already been profoundly changed by what I have been exposed to, and now realize this is a lifelong commitment. I’ve been given the tools for continual self-improvement and have (some, and growing) ability to help others improve their information literacy skills.

In my job at the local library I am now more aware of teachable moments or as William Badke says “direct mentoring” opportunities, to introduce a user to new search possibilities. This course has provided the means to empower, engage and energize for me personally and professionally, and more importantly, creates the opportunity for me to “pay it forward”.

I’ve chosen a few images to represent my search information landscape. Click on link below to see image. An explanation of each image is also provide below.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WCqeuLxHgrazqh0zrE2UAB8M63T1Hm1B4Qo8JZBkrEM/edit?usp=sharing

·       Sherlock Holmes addresses the reality of the search world today, for one can’t depend upon just the powers of deduction any longer.  Now one applies these necessary, and require abilities to databases, controlled vocabularies, information structures, search strategies to filter information and derive relevant results.

·       Dance and adapt: search requires one to possess nimble approaches in attitude and abilities. Be willing to change strategies, sources, direction, terms in service of the user.

·       Be Hope focused and weaponized optimism (credit to Rebekkah Smith Aldrich) but always see through a skeptical lens.

·       Information literacy and usability is the goal, and teach the tools to help users find and evaluate well.

·       Most importantly, be an agent for change, for change is inevitable, and without change there is no innovation, creativity or incentive for improvement.

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Courtney Brach - section 90. FINAL TAKEAWAYS:

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Courtney Brach - section 90. FINAL TAKEAWAYS:

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I really enjoyed this class! I’ve always loved to search for information--and this class just helped solidify my love of search. In this week’s last lecture, Dr. V likened searching to detective work. I love that analogy. There’s something so satisfying finding bits and pieces of information that bring the searcher closer to the answer they seek. I think the quote we heard at the beginning of the semester, “Librarians like to search while everyone else likes to find” holds true.

I will absolutely apply what I learned in this class. I’ve already adopted some search strategies already for other classes and my life in general. I thought the MOOC units in Google were fascinating and I realize I was not maximizing my Google experience by taking advantage of everything that Google can do. (For example, I didn’t know one could do a reverse image search--I’ve had several situations in the past where I had an image but wanted to know it’s original source.)

One of my biggest takeaways from this class is command line searching and all the different search methods that one can apply in a scholarly database to find the most relevant results. I wasn’t aware of all the different tips and tricks (for instance, searching for a certain word that appears near another word), instead opting to search by keyword without always checking the CV if there was a better word to use. This is one area that I’ll have to revisit in the future as a refresher as there were so many that I know I won’t remember them all. (Plus each database is different and responds to different commands.)

Here's my drawing depicting what search looks like to me. I chose to show someone searching on a computer as it's clear that most searches are conducted this way today.

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(Visualization Link)
·       How will you apply what you've learned?

I have started to apply some of the more straightforward aspects our course at work already: making more effective use of our database access, encouraging my co-workers to go with me to the NYPL for stories that need deeper research to fact check (which has the bonus of being a fun team building adventure!) and use some of the reference interview/search need thinking into my interviews for stories.

Thinking ahead, I will apply another thing I learned in this course: search enthusiasm and communication! Though I don’t think I can approach Dan or Dr. V levels of search any time soon – but as with science communication, I think finding a means of expressing important ideas in exciting and engaging ways is key to unlocking the full potential of things. I want to apply what I’ve learned in projects and initiatives (personal and professional!) that will help people make sense of information.

·       And perhaps, more fundamentally, why does search matter?

Well, for as long as people long to “find” so darn badly, search will matter if for no other reason than facilitating that. But, I would offer that it also matters for a few other reasons:

Searching for things helps us understand what our community needs; serving our community is a pillar of our profession.

Searching gives us insight into the information landscape and how it is (inevitably) transforming in the face of new technologies and cultural trends. By searching, we embed ourselves in knowing and experiencing this change.

Searching, by definition, suggests that not everything is known to any one person – philosophically, I think that’s an important idea to keep alive.

What does the information landscape look like to you?

In anticipation of their 8th season next year, I described the information landscape as Vanderpump Rules, my favorite reality TV show: messy, impossibly yet somehow fundamentally interconnected, and, when looked at in its entirety for too long, exhausting.

Although I put together a little “story” of GIFS as memes for the entire landscape representation, I think this portion of the story is the most illustrative of my impression of the landscape (see photo).

The information landscape is, although navigable, not totally knowable at any one time. It is, in fact, “everything” and “all” (including other people!) and I love just how intimidating that is. Thus, on the left of the photo, Schaena is pointing to her Almost Famous “It’s all happening” tattoo and, on the right, Lisa (me! With a look of terror!) is realizing that everything sure is happening. It’s happening, it’s changing, and it’s all everywhere all the time.

But, in the same way that I can’t wait for each new episode of the mess that is ‘Pump Rules, I can’t wait to dive into all the threads of search: using every strategy, every tactic, and every platform I can to help people find what they need out there. And also endure a lot of messes along the way…