Search matters because information matters. Understanding how to obtain information via search is crucial not just within libraries, but to everyday life. It’s often said those with information have power; however, those with the skills necessary to search for information hold even greater power. Roy Tennant’s assertion that “only librarians like to search” while “everyone else likes to find” is somewhat correct in that librarians typically enjoy searching so much that they become searchers for a living while other people do not. The caveat here is that librarians are not the only information professionals working in the information arena nor are they the only people who enjoy to search, but the point Tennant is trying to make is clear: Librarians generally enjoy searching. I enjoy searching for the most part, but even I have to admit that I like finding more, especially when I conduct searches for information that is particularly difficult to find.

 

2. This meme of the Bifröst Bridge along with the tag about LibGuides is meant to convey the feeling someone may have once they successfully locate a LibGuide containing information pertinent to their research goal(s). I used this meme to represent the current information landscape because the information available to us through the World Wide Web is nearly infinite and will continue to grow at an incomprehensible rate. It’s critical that we as information professionals know how to navigate this information, especially as technology shifts.

My biggest takeaway is that you need to be creative as well as knowledgeable in order to be proficient in search. There are a multitude of ways to organize and conduct a search, let alone the amount of resources available. Knowing which resource to use is key to search success, but so is being able to think laterally and reconstruct searches. You can’t expect every search to end in immediate success and being able to look at the question in new ways is important to make searching a positive iterative process rather than an exercise in futility.

Another takeaway is that we have to practice and keep up with current trends in order to be a successful searcher. Becoming proficient in search is more like learning a language than riding a bike. Search is a skill that evolves with technology and takes constant practice to master.

Search matters because it is a skill that determines our ability to find accurate information in a speedy manner. Human beings are curious, somewhat lazy creatures. We constantly seek out answers and may be a bit too willing to accept the first response that comes our way. Knowing how and where to search in conjunction with being able to objectively evaluate sources are powerful tools in combating ignorance and misinformation. On a more practical level, as information professionals we need to be proficient in search in order to help and teach our patrons. We can certainly find information in the reference interview, but I would also like to pass on some of the skills and information I’ve learned here.

Another point I wanted to get across in my infographic is that search is a process that can lead in multiple directions, and that these directions may involve searching the deep web, depending on what kind of information is needed. I used a slightly larger fish leading two other fish into the deep web waters to suggest that sometimes a leader — or librarian — can take people in and out of these searches. I was really struck by some of our readings in our module on search engines, portals, and the deep web. Before this class I hadn’t realized there was an open web vs. a deep web. 

Lastly, I highlighted s-e-a in the word “search” and f-i-n in the word “find” to suggest that what one may find in the vast sea of search is a fin — a detectable point, that leads to a fuller bodied fish, a dolphin, a shark, a whale, or even a piece of trash. This fin may be connected to information that is of vital importance. This fin may be connected to information that is dangerous — or in the case of Aaron Swartz, has dangerous consequences. It reminds me of the importance of the information professional — perhaps with an underwater flashlight or an oxygen task — who can help people evaluate information for credibility and accuracy, who can teach the skills and mindsets of evaluating and sharing information. 

 

One of the things I liked best about this course was the Voices of Search videos. It was wonderful to hear from professional librarians, search experts, and authors and get their perspectives on current trends in information and library science. Some of my favorites were Leslin Charles on discussion of instructional design in academic libraries, Dr. Hilliker on open source cataloging, and Raven Fonfa on the Culinary Institute of America and special libraries. Voices of Search was such an engaging way to understand the wide range of professional opportunities and issues in LIS from a personal perspective. I hope to apply what I’ve learned from them and from the other projects in this course to a career in an academic music library or special music library. I would also like to keep developing my music resource LibGuide into something that will translate into my career setting as well.

The information landscape is much more complex and intricate than I could have imagined going into this course. I could describe it as an ocean, constantly shifting, with currents moving unseen under the surface, and depths that have yet to be explored. Another way to describe it is like a desert—it looks so large and inhospitable sometimes, but there are so many resources that are not always visible on the surface, and so many amazing plants, animals, and people who call it home. 

 

However, I think my favorite metaphor for the information landscape is space. It’s so vast, and there is so much to be explored, discovered, and researched. We can only see a little bit of it from earth with our own eyes, although telescopes and observatories give us a more precise perspective on stars, planets, moons, galaxies, comets, and other phenomena. We can see more of space through satellite feeds, recordings from the International Space Station, or rovers, but even after all that, we’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s out there. That’s why I like to think of the information landscape in terms of space. It's a different kind of “final frontier,” now that so much of earth has been explored and connected through the World Wide Web. I chose this photo to represent my idea of the information landscape (starscape?) because it reminds me of how much we can see on our own, and how much more we have yet to discover. I look forward to the search for more stars.

(Photo credit: Oliver Henze, Flickr; used under Creative Commons.)

I was somewhat startled by the number of platforms this course introduced and wonder how prevalent their use is, which demographics use them and for what. I'm glad to know that if my old stand-bys (e-mail, Google, Reddit, content-specific forums/sites, public & academic libraries, local organizations) ever fail me, I have so many other options. 

 

2. The information landscape is like outer space, constantly expanding in all directions. Everyone is in their own little spaceship. Most people are moving around outer space, some faster than others. Some people are constantly looking out their spaceship windows, plotting their trajectories to reach new places and see new things. Some people are just drifting around, only looking outside their windows when they bump into something, using auto pilot most of the time. None of the spaceships are that different. Librarians like to leave their spaceships in "manual" mode. We explore the information landscape carefully, thoughtfully, and with precision. We know the specs of our spaceships, and are attune to when the ship gets new firmware or features. When a person who usually leaves their spaceship on auto-pilot bumps into something, they call us up for help. We know how to get other drivers back into a situation they are comfortable in. Most people find us odd for not just using auto-pilot, but when they have a problem, they are so thankful we know how to use the manual modes.

However, the auto-pilot is getting better every year. The situations where manual mode is needed are getting fewer and farther apart. We can't just rely on our knowledge of "manual modes" to keep us relevant. We have to offer unique & un-replicatable services to remain a vital part of people's lives. (This is where I step away from the "information landscape" = "outer space" metaphor) For my library this means focusing less on the broad information landscape and more on local community. Offering things that Google never will, like physical spaces to socialize in, safe, comfortable, & friendly atmosphere, and actual rapport and relationships with patrons. For my school library, this means that navigating the information landscape is only a tiny part of the organizations mission. A equally prominent goal is facilitating relationships between students & staff, offering a space where patrons want to be regardless of whether they have an information need. So much learning, discovery, inspiration, and empowerment stems from people being in a room together, without them necessarily having a pre-existing information need. Less of the librarians time is spent navigating the information landscape for patrons, and more time is spent creating a community that values not just information but also each other.

To hark back to the first part of this discussion, search matters because people matter. Librarians have to be careful not to get too wrapped up in the search for search's sake. Search is ultimately a tool and a service, with the goal of improving the quality of life for at least one (hopefully more) living beings. We may be aspiring "Masters of Information," but I think "Masters of Helping People" sounds (although less professional and less focused) much more admirable and vital. That's my take anyway. Navigating the search/information landscape is just one tool for accomplishing the broader mission of 21st century librarians, improving the quality of life of our patrons and our communities.

I think that the assertion that Tennant made is true to a certain extent. In our current social media, google, technological world people are used to finding the things they want immediately. When they have a query that isn’t solved quickly, some people become frustrated. This is an issue when the idea of asking for help is sort of taboo in our society. I think in current years this is getting better, but it feels like a lot of patrons when coming to the library would rather figure things out on their own instead of asking. This can be for a number of reasons, but as information professionals being welcoming and asking if patrons need assistance is important.

2. The image of a tree reminds me of the information landscape because even with a direct query, there is so much information to be found. Some of this information is obvious, but cannot be reached from the ground- you would need a ladder or a search tool to reach it. Some the information is the roots, you have to dig to find them.

The image (One Machine, Map of the Internet) below is from David MacCandless and fulfills one of my metaphors for search and the information landscape....its organic, interconnected, expansive and expanding, complex and sometimes it takes a librarian (or data artist) to make it beautiful:

I liked the in-depth exposure to the structure and vocabulary of subscription databases. I thought my knowledge was pretty advanced prior to taking the course, but I didn't realize how murky I was on some of the search specifics and the organization of various databases. As someone who likes to theoretical models to work from, the break-down and explanation of the various search strategies to use on a database was something that stuck in my mind pretty deeply, and I think I will continually reference Markey's explanation of the various strategies. Also, I now have an even deeper appreciation/understanding of subject indexing and controlled vocabulary.

However, I think my biggest learning experiences were with the various open-web sources that exist and the many functions they can fulfill. I was very intrigued by Dan Brown's Harnessing the Power of Google and Dan Russel's MOOCs. Although my grasp is far from perfect, I feel I am in a much better position to take advantage of the various tools Google and the open-web have to offer. I think this is very much true when it comes to a lot of the tech knowledge I have picked up here. I had never really had any experience screen-casting, making custom search engines, creating a LibGuide, Google power searching, knowing how search engines work etc. I have learned about so many online resources that focus on literary studies that I had no idea about before looking around for this class. 

I think much of the knowledge I have gleaned here will stick with me for the long-haul, and I know have several go-to sources for information on my area of interest that I feel I will return to time and again. Considering Tennant's assertion from the beginning of the semester, I think I am someone who enjoys the process of searching. I get a little adrenaline rush from digging down into database material and bouncing out to the web to try and locate the best sources; and I have to admit, the excitement subsides a little once the process is over, and I have to dig into the sources themselves. I think the various issues we focused on in the last weeks demonstrates that how we search and what we know about search is more important than ever. With the rapid proliferation of so much information and so many information sources, we need to sound training and smart ways of thinking about search and the content our searches retrieve. 

2. And finally, I think an apt metaphor for this course could be drawn from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. This course certainly feels like taking a mind-spinning plunge down the rabbit hole. What's more, I feel as though the rabbit hole of search is bottomless and nearly-impossible for one person to successfully navigate/absorb. Alice needs her friends in wonderland to figure out how to function and get back home. This metaphor brings together what are perhaps my two biggest takeaways. The information landscape is enormous and there is more out then one person can realistically master. Because of this we have to network and build a strong connection with peers with various expertise and backgrounds. In the future of search and libraries, collaboration is key.      

I truly enjoyed the Voices of Search lectures. I was good to hear from professionals in the field and how they are conducting searches and helping their patrons/students/facility learn how to and conduct search for their specialties. Voices I enjoyed were Raven Fonfa from the Culinary Institute of America. My husband is a chef and would have loved to attend this college. I didn’t realize the amount of research that goes into the culinary arts, or even that food databases even existed. He doesn’t speak about his schooling days as it was some time ago. I enjoyed that she was able to learn on the job how to apply elements of searching by simply learning her collection and putting in the time to absorb the material. It gave me hope that I could quickly learn how to search databases that I’m not familiar with, learn which databases are necessary for each type of patron, and be success and have fun in my career. 

 

I also enjoyed the segment on curation and utilizing different formats to market and apply to different audiences to bring in traffic to your facility as Billy Parrot does at NYPL through Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube (love this site), Twitter (still a bit of a mystery to me, but I’m learning), etc. 

The Databases of the Week provided many enjoying articles for me in terms of what is currently trending in technology, science and healthcare. The NYTimes website is now a love of mine. AHAs included deeper Boolean searching, not being afraid to use limiters to narrow my searches. I also am using the suggested keyword combinations provided by the database/search engine that appears at the bottom of an existing search. It provides word combinations and suggested vocabulary that I hadn’t considered that usually gets me closer to my desired search results. 

The way on search matters because being concise, knowing how your database works, its hidden tips and tools such as the thesauri or controlled vocabulary will lessen your time searching through false drops or inadequate results. 

 

What does the information landscape look like to me? I feel like the information landscape can take me in many different directions to learn as many subjects as possible. With every new inquiry, searching the information landscape will sharpen my eye on what is necessary what is desired by the patron. I want to give a patron as broad or as narrow a focus as is desired. I like the idea of taking someone down a path not considered, but that also meets their needs. I don’t want to search for a patron for the sake of searching, but provide options is cool too. 

 

The following images represent how I see the information landscape: 

https://goo.gl/images/UqApZq 

As the librarian, I’m the white string the skiers are holding on to for guidance. 

https://goo.gl/images/YyVLuj 

In the mountain biking pic, I’m the helmet/gloves, navigation equipment, the protective gear, that helps the biker perform throughout the ride, without getting lost or injured.