I don’t mean to imply that I feel I’ve already learned all there is to learn - far from it! Each week brings some new discoveries. But they’ve mostly been more along the lines of, “Oh, that’s pretty neat!”, as opposed to, “Wow! I have to realign my entire understanding of the cosmos!” I’m enjoying learning more, and trying to maintain the balance between “really useful” and “overwhelming”. =)

I think, too, that this class has made me realize the importance of using these pieces of information and skills regularly. I find there have been several lessons this semester where I’ve found myself thinking, “Oh, yeah - I remember doing this once a few years back,” and it’s a great technique or tool, but then it fell by the wayside and didn’t get picked up again and I forgot it existed. I hope, though, that as search becomes an ever-more-important everyday task for everyone, a lot of these things become part of the average person’s working vocabulary, rather than being something that’s used once or twice a year at school. 

I think the way that I search for information and present that information is different. I’m willing to try new search engines and databases when looking for information instead of falling back to the familiar Google. The way I conduct my searches has shifted as well. I’m more confident with searching in databases and using their search tools. These have even positively affected how I use the tools in search engines. Listening to the weekly voices of search I have an understanding of the basic structure of some of the databases which allows me to better work with them. 

I’m still hesitant of social media but I am beginning to embrace it more. I think it’s important to be aware of the conversations that are going on in the different areas of the library world and social media is a platform that allows institutions, organizations, and people to connect and voice their opinions. I continue to look at social media as solely for the purpose of staying connected to the library and museum world. It serves this purpose well. 

One thing that was highlighted in week 8’s Voices of Search is that it’s ok to ask for help. Reaching out to other librarians, especially in a field like law, is ok and encouraged. There are many subjects that I don’t know about and I love that this world is open to sharing information and bouncing ideas around. I work best when I have a conversation and toss ideas around. It almost seems counterintuitive to be a librarian and not share information with other librarians.  

2. My second AHA! is my awareness of how deep and sprawling the search engine world is: there is so much information, organized so opaquely, with a hodgepodge of good stuff and garbage showing up in virtually every search done through Google/Facebook/the other “Big Search” platforms. It is almost necessary to have a librarian-level knowledge of search, because otherwise it would be so easy to get overwhelmed with useless or false information. This state of affairs is a little concerning; needing specialist knowledge to have a basic level of functioning is not a situation that we should be in.

Google - I only knew the very basics of the Google surface. Now, Dan Russell may be my new best friend. The ability to create CSE, and utilize Google’s other sections is such a great resource. 

More than Google - Like others have said, I knew there were other search engines out there, but I didn’t use them. Now I have tabs on my browsers for my favorites, and a list of the others. Being able to select the right tool for the job is key in an information landscape that is always growing and changing. 

PLN - Between social media, professional associations, and in-person contacts, my network is slowly coming together. Before this class I honestly hadn’t thought much about it, but now I try to spend time each week developing it a little more. 

The existence of so many subscription databases was interesting.  However, the access to some of these databases through my state and local libraries was incredible!  In my previous classes, I stumbled through the Rutgers databases having never known that such a creature existed (my undergrad experience was heavily technical and extremely light on research).  Though I could benefit from more practice, I am now comfortable in that environment.

In regards to Tucker’s threshold concepts, the information environment is the toughest for me to cross.  The word “total” holds me back.  Information structures are more concrete as are the information vocabularies.  Concept fusion seems to be a natural progression as understanding and practice of the previous threshold concepts increases.

I was comfortable searching with Google prior to this class, but I was amazed by the aha of Google Custom Search!  I would like to find more time to really sit down and explore the other search engines more closely, particularly Instagrok and WolframAlpha.

The readings and lesson paths are worthwhile, but I find the Voices in search much more engaging, possibly due to the enthusiasm that exudes from those pre-recorded talks.  As much as I enjoy Voices in Search, I consider the weekly Search Activities as the most beneficial aspect of this course thus far.  They are great practice.  

Unfortunately, I have struggled to keep up with the social media angle of the course; therefore, I do not have an opinion on #WSN, Pinterest, etc.  I am interested to see how the upcoming lessons will benefit me and possibly change my attitude toward that online culture.