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I chose a picture of a forest to represent the information landscape. Walking through a forest can sometimes be overwhelming. You could feel lost and confused - where do you turn next to get where you need to go? Wading through the large amount of information out there can feel very similar; however, when you find what you are looking for, it can feel like getting to a clearing in the forest where you can stop, breathe, and re-assess.

Some of my biggest takeaways and aha's this semester have to do with search strategies. I never realized just how many were out there (and that they all had specific names!). I enjoyed the search activities where we got to try out various methods and discuss the results. I also enjoyed learning about and exploring various databases. I learned so much about how to navigate these more successfully (I was unaware of how helpful thesauri can be, for example!).

I can apply what I've learned to my future career by passing my knowledge of search strategies and databases to my students. In a school library setting, I can be a guide for students who are learning how to navigate the online world.

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I chose an image of a puzzle to show what the information landscape looks like to me. There are so many puzzles in the world, with different images, themes, complexity levels, shapes (both the entire puzzle and the pieces), and number of puzzle pieces. There are also many different methods to solve a puzzle - some complete the border first, some go by piece color, some start in the middle. And the image becomes clearer as you put more pieces together. This is what the information landscape is like to me - there is a multitude of information available to us on an incredible range of topics. Not all of these topics will be relevant or appealing to us, though what we choose in each search will change. Doing one puzzle represents one search journey, it requires some planning and thinking about the best way to navigate. The searcher must fit the pieces together correctly in order to find the information they need and complete the picture they are solving for. I especially liked this image because the focus is on the center and the few pieces the person is focused on and then as the image/puzzle spreads out, they are blurry. It shows how the information is coming into focus as we maneuver through the search.

I learned so much throughout this semester. I had so many aha moments while watching the Voices of Search interviews - it was very beneficial to hear from professionals already in the field. They gave so many great tips and it was comforting to know I don’t have to have it all figured out by the time I graduate. One of the practical things that I will take with me is the creation and use of personas. I hadn’t heard of them before and found them frustrating at first, but once I really dug into my LibGuide, I realized how helpful they are. It is a great tool to get out of your own mind and away from your own search habits and think about how other people will search because, even if something seems obvious to you, it might not to another and our goal is to make search accessible to everyone. I think this will definitely be a practice I hold onto and use as I work in the information field and figure out what will serve my patrons best.

Search is empowering and that is why it matters. It pushes us to think and problem solve and be curious about the world. Having these tools and skills accessible allows people to make educated choices and make change, whether it’s in the arts, education, science, or medical fields. Having information is powerful and being able to effectively search is a crucial skill that everyone should be taught from a young age.

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“[Libraries should be} actively creating the future instead of constantly reacting to it” was a quote that stuck with me from the lecture, as well as the exercise of “searching like you hate it” to try to jump into the minds of the possibly frustrated students/patron/client who is looking for information. That exercise as well as the reminder to “picture my perfect article” while searching is the core of what will stay with me as I leave this class and face The Great Search Beyond.

There was such great work provided each week by the students in this course. Each conversation was like a rabbit hole, not just building on the vast amounts of resources shared by Dr. V. and Lauren, but adding to them as well.

Watching the Database of the Week videos was like a missive from a friend, making the search process that much less intimidating for me, so thank you!

Tasha Bergson-Michelson stuck out to me for Voices of Search for the way she sought to engage her students, and how every time she gave them a moment to explore (despite her anxiety about not having enough time) something beautiful happened, learning-wise.

It was one of our later readings but I’d like to return to Russell’s The Joy of Search book.

Like many here, I was struck by all the tools that I had no idea existed when it came to search. Pearl Growing, Facets, Citation Chasing, the Reference Interview, even the persnickety Command Line Search (which I was terrible at but thankfully my sister sat with me and we worked through it together!) will stick with me. In a lot of ways I feel like a search novice, just starting out, but I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned, and keep learning!

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What were your biggest overall takeaways?
Before taking this class, I had not realized that professional searchers existed. I had not paid much attention to online databases. When I got my first degree more than 20 years ago in my home country, such thing did not exist for students. During this semester, I had a lot of AHA moments, including the right way to use and strategies for using advanced search in various databases. I had heard something about Boolean operators before, but I did not know all of them, and did not know how to apply them correctly. I was also surprised to know that they might not be universal for all databases. The nested search was one of the biggest AHA’s and I still admire professional searchers who can make long search statements to narrow search results. I was happy to learn about many features in the GOOGLE search engine, that it is possible to search by image, make a personalized search bar, etc.

How will you apply what you've learned?
I am going to actively use many of the things that I learned in this class. I plan to make another LibGuide for the library where I work. I hope I will be more efficient in helping people to find the right information, to teach them about misinformation, and teach them some search practices.
I already applied some of the search methods by looking for material to a term paper for my other class. I found more information on topic than I thought.

What does the information landscape look like to you?
I think that right now the information landscape reminds me the Room of Requirements in Hogwarts “the place where everything is hidden”. As in WizardingWorld.com this room is described “But the room was quite specific in how it responded to the requiree, and those using it must be sure to close all loopholes. “

You need to know where this room (database) is located and walk past it three times (a bit more when you are looking for the right database). At the same time, you have to think about what you need (an information on topic, create the search sentence). Then the door will open and you will get what you need (one can argue that not everything in the case of search 😊 ).

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I decided to pick this meme, because I always get asked questions on why I decided to become a librarian, and comments on why would I pick a career that is not needed anymore.

Biggest Takeaway.

My biggest takeaway from this class was how many ways someone can find information online. That depending on the placement of the words, and which ones to use would affect your results when you click the button “search.” Also, that finding the right search engine is important to help a patron find information that they need.

What were the biggest AHAS! Or highlights?

My biggest AHA was learning about the different types of databases and resources for research. I was not aware of the vast variety of them all. Another AHA moment for me was the lack there of the use of online databases that are provided from a library. I was surprised, and still am, with the fact that libraries pay a lot of money to provide resources such as databases for patrons, and a majority of patrons do not know they exist for them.

How will you apply what you’ve learned?

I do not see myself applying what I have learned right now at this moment, but, I can see myself applying it when I am a librarian in a school setting. I will be able to help students find resources they need to complete projects and homework. I will also be able to teach students how to figure out what resources are reliable, and how to tell what is real or fake. I will be able to teach students how to navigate through databases, and how to search for certain things on them as well.

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What were your biggest overall takeaways/Ahas:

I think my biggest takeaway was learning all of the different ways I could search (terms, methods, search language, search engines, etc.), and the vast array of online materials that are out there to be searched (OA and not OA), and the diversity of their "containers" (portals, databases, repositories, etc.).  I also have a better understanding of the deep web and grey literature, and how doing "normal" internet searches will not retrieve most of this content.

I hope and believe I now have a better understanding of the four threshold concepts identified by Tucker way back in Week 1, which were: 1) information environment: the total information environment is perceived and understood; 2) information structures: content, index structures, and retrieval algorithms are understood; 3) information vocabularies: fluency in search behaviors related to language, including natural language, controlled vocabulary, and finesse using proximity, truncation, and other language-based tools; and 4) concept fusion: the integration of the other three threshold concepts.

Why does search matter?

Search matters for a number of reasons, one of which is that in search you learn.  Most research questions do not have a simple answer, as you search you learn about your subject, your query (are you asking the right questions), your search techniques, the sources of information, and the content of material that is out there.  As you search, your terms, techniques, queries and views often change and alter, they evolve.  In search you are not just finding "the answers" but you are finding the right questions to ask.

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I chose this meme because I’ve heard this comment so many times and being a librarian is so much more than just reading books!

Biggest Takeaways

My biggest takeaway from this class is how vast the search world really is and how quickly it changes. I've learned that there are so many different outlets to search; databases, search engines, apps, etc. There is so much to think about when it comes to providing your patrons with the right resources and tools for their information search.

How will you apply what you’ve learned?

After this class, I want to be able to put a big focus on teaching students the skills to search correctly. I have also learned about so many different databases and tools to bring into my library to help students, that I hope to bring in as well. What we can provide for our users is huge and I just hope I have the opportunity to have the best resources available that I can!

Why does search matter?

Search matters because there is so much information out there. As we’ve seen during some of the modules, it’s quite easy to create misinformation in today’s technology world. It’s even easier to believe it. We are going to be “searching” for the rest of our lives so it’s important to develop the correct skills while conducting a search in order to help us determine misinformation from real information.

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I had so much fun looking at the memes and had trouble finding one that connected until this one. Even in a professional setting working with lawyers with advanced degrees, the lack of understanding about search and databases is really a big concern. This course helped highlight these deficiencies and ways to address them.
The concept of the satisficer - finding something that answers the question and not going further - this was helpful to think about. Relatedly, the idea from Roy Tennant that only librarians like to search, other people like to find, really captures the idea that more training in search is required to reinforce the importance of search. This course has given me much food for thought and the realization of my professional obligation to teach lawyers to be better searchers.

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One of my biggest overall takeaways from this semester was how to search. I came in with no prior knowledge and acquired and applied so many new search strategies from Boolean operators, citation chasing, pearl gathering, command line searching, and controlled vocabulary to name a few. I loved the modules on open access research and evaluating credibility. Those modules posed questions that I will be asking myself and learning about throughout my studies and my career.

As depicted in my chosen meme, the information landscape can seem like a large, daunting ship full of facts, data, misinformation, relevant and irrelevant information, and our search queries are trying to pull from it some small, specific piece. I like the tension of the stuck ship and something trying to free it because sometimes extracting the right piece of information can be difficult. Yet by using the strategies we’ve learned, we can hopefully find an answer to our area of doubt no matter how formidable the journey may seem.

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My biggest takeaways:

·        Become intimate with your specialty databases and collection

·        The search landscape is continuously evolving, so be proactive in learning new ways of searching for information or upcoming trends in your field

·        Always conduct the reference interview and be mindful of the different ranges of information needs of patrons

How will you apply what you've learned?

The evolution of information-seeking has enabled society to access information at rapid speeds, both accurate and inaccurate. Therefore, we must hone the most contemporary skills that promote access to accurate, up-to-date information while dispelling inaccurate information to our patrons. As a service to myself and my patrons (present and future), I will never grow tired of learning how to improve my search skills as a librarian.

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I saw the above meme and I couldn't help but chuckle. I feel like prior to this course, I was that student, just throwing random words into Google and hoping for the best. But now, at the end of the semester, I feel more like the librarian- looking first to the databases and trying the strategies we learned in class. And while there is still a place for Google in my searches, I've learned to use it more efficiently and scrutinize what links I select.

Biggest Takeaways:
- How little I knew about search prior to taking this course. There were so many search strategies that I had never heard of or just didn't use or fully understand; Boolean Operators, controlled vocabularies, thesauri, backward and forward citation chasing, and pearl growing are now part of my regularly used tools.
- Mary Ellen Bates VoS video and determining when a search is "done." The wisdom she imparted in her interview was definitely a highlight and something I really enjoyed viewing.
- The small portion of the internet that is actually explored and everything that exists beyond- the deep web, grey literature.
- The importance of the reference interview.
- The need for fighting misinformation and finding reliable and trustworthy sources.

Applying what I've learned:
- I hope to take the skills I've learned throughout the semester and continue to expand upon them. I know I'll be able to utilize them in my future courses here at Rutgers and get in some good practice. After graduation, I hope to use these tools in my profession as a school librarian, helping students to look beyond Google, to understand the value in databases, and how to evaluate the information they are getting on the internet.

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What were the biggest ahas! or highlights?

I think in a lot of ways this course felt like a background and current events in search which I was really excited about. I realized there was a good amount about the earlier ways librarians searched that I wasn't aware of, and though some of the BYOR articles we were able to get a better understanding of current challenges and trends. Something that really stuck with me was the look into different types of libraries, FIT and CIA, and how they need to consider collection development differently because of what their unique patrons needs are. From that to the importance of the reference interview I think there was a running theme of remembering that the end user is the most important. We could have all the information a patron could ever need, but if we aren't thinking about how to connect them to it, it doesn't matter.

How will you apply what you've learned?

I look forward to applying what I've learned by remembering that there's more avenues for search than I might think of right away (at this stage at least) and to use the different search functions we learned instead of simply keyword searching. I'll also be sure to ask useful questions when answering someones question, knowing that their first question may not really provide the answer they're seeking.

2. What does the information landscape look like to you?

The reason I chose to label "distracted boyfriend" future student was because I'm hopeful that through information literacy efforts librarians will be able to develop smart searchers who use the resources they already have available to them to find the best results. I think we have most of the information we could be interested in at this point, our biggest challenge now is learning how to navigate it.

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I chose this meme to show how librarians or future librarians, like myself, see the information landscape as a space of exploration and possibility, reflecting Roy Tennant’s assertion about how “librarians like to search” while “everyone else likes to find.”  We are Buzz Lightyear in the featured scene, stretching out a hand, with eager anticipation, to illustratively encompass the infinite depths we can search.  I see Woody as representative of a student, someone perhaps overwhelmed by the information landscape at first; my role will be to teach and empower them to become active, conscientious searchers who can see the potential of the information landscape from a new perspective.

How will you apply what you’ve learned?

From our readings and discussions, I feel more confident in my understanding and utilization of search terminology, as well as greater comfort in translating queries, applying search strategies, and exploring advanced search options in my own work.  With a more developed “toolbox” for research, I better understand my role as a future instructional librarian to teach young learners to evaluate, recognize, and navigate resources and databases, like their use of informal and formal keyword language, facet analysis, Boolean operators, proximity search features, filters, and more.  From our guided and independent introductions to a number of databases and examples in every module, I am better prepared to assess and curate diverse resources, from databases to portals to LibGuides, to meet my community’s information needs and develop flexible, productive search processes.

Why does search matter?

Search matters because it is a personal experience by which individuals discover, process, and interact with information.  Search asks users to determine, communicate, or formalize their purposes, questions and ideas, to explore and evaluate resources, and to understand the limits and effects of their processes and literacies.  A user’s agency and engagement in search invites valuable complexities of thought and requires skills and modern tools, as search is a nonlinear process that involves problem-solving, choice, and reflection in order to discover and connect with information provided through diverse modes.

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What were your biggest overall takeaways?

One of my biggest overall takeaways is how quickly search has evolved and continues to evolve. It was fascinating to see the evolution of search, especially in the past few weeks as we have discussed the AI assistant technology and how far along that has come and will continue to grow.  My second biggest takeaway is all of the tools being developed to help users identify misinformation seem to be incredibly useful but should also be used to aid the user in identifying misinformation and used as a coach instead of a tool that will tell users definitely that something is misinformation.

What were the biggest ahas! or highlights?

One of the highlights of the course was seeing all of the different databases and resources. It was great to see that database developers are developing databases for all age ranges so that doing research can be more accessible in terms of understanding how to use the database to its fullest.

I think the information landscape is like the ocean and underneath the ocean in that we are always discovering new things in the information landscape which adds to our overall understanding of the information landscape. I also think the information landscape is like the ocean in that we will always be discovering new aspects of the information landscape.

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It is needless to say that I learned a lot about search this semester. I know that I am not a search professional and honestly with how rapidly change occurs in search platforms, I know my toolbelt will continue to expand (which is quite exciting). I have already started to apply what I have learned this semester at work and seen incredible results. I have used resources from our class reading list to educate myself, coworkers, and patrons. For example, I showed the “ Spotting Bad Science” guide to a patron asking for help searching for medical information, I shared databases I discovered this semester with coworkers and added one to our health portal “Trip”. Personally I find the information landscape to always be evolving and changing. It is up to information professionals such as librarians to continue to learn best practices to navigate this terrain and get the results requested. I also cannot believe I used to do any kind of legitimate research without a librarian! Hence why I chose the Austin Powers meme for this assignment. I hope more and more library users realize how wonderful it is to have access to a librarian and their plethora of resources.

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I love memes, and I think this is actually pretty accurate when I think about search and the information landscape. From this course, one of the biggest takeaways I've gotten is that there are so many more forms of searching besides just typing a search in Google or the general library website. As a librarian, I need to familiarize myself with what we have in order to ensure that they will be used in searches. I'm really glad I took this course because I feel much better about the search process. I wish I had taken this class before my last semester, so I could have used these methods and strategies in my prior classes, but now I know what to do in real life.

I think search matters because there will be things that need to be uncovered. I've been able to apply some of this knowledge to my current job because there were a lot of things I didn't know - but I was able to take the time to search so I could figure things out, and in turn it's helped me improve the work that I do and the knowledge I'll need for the future. Sometimes you have to dig to find answers, but it can be worth the effort.