With this, I was thrilled to get insight from so many different professionals and to see the diverse workplaces and positions of all of them.  Talks with Raven Fonfa, Kristen Garlock, and Meredith Farkas stand out to me.  I always envisioned myself working at an academic or public library because that is where I have had my professional experience take place, but these individuals revealed how the skills and knowledge I have developed from the MI program can be applicable in many other outlets.

I think I have finally reached the point where I can culminate together the different skills I have developed throughout the duration of this course and can have concept fusion.  I feel that I have an understanding of the information environment, structures, and vocabularies to combine these skills together when searching.  This course has significantly increased my confidence in performing searches and being able to share these skills and techniques with others. As I start working for the online chat service for Rutgers libraries, I am thrilled to have taken this class and be able to have this insight and practice, so that I can effectively and confidently help others.

The information and search skills I have learned from this course will be applied to my current roles in academic and public libraries, as well as when I (hopefully) get a full time librarian position after graduation.  Looking back, I was using too many words in my searches and trying to cram in as much of my research question, when in reality, being more selective and clear with my query would have had greater success.  Knowing how to search and where are two main qualities of librarianship and these abilities will be extremely useful when working with students or the public who have diverse information needs that require assistance.  

 

Search matters because what you put into a search determines what you get out of it.  It was eye-opening to see how specific terminology, query formation, and filter options play such a large role in what results the individual search systems retrieve.  There is so much beyond putting in a few words or a question like you would in Google.  Knowing how to translate a research question into a search query is a key skill, as is knowing what places should be used to look for information.

The information landscape to me looks like walking down a hallway with an extensive row of doors on either side.  With a question in mind, you can choose to open up any of these doors to find information and get an answer.  Each door has its own key of how to work its system to get in, just as databases and search engines require certain terms and query structures to get the information you seek.  Some doors are locked and you don’t have the right key to get in.  In the same way that you cannot access certain sources because you don’t pay for a subscription, or the information is not publicly available.  Some doors are hidden--you don’t even know these resources or places of search exist because they cannot be found on the surface of the web.  The hallway can be continually walked by the user, going through different doors and going back and forth to see what is out there and what information can be found.
(picture of what I am envisioning: https://image.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/3d-rendering-white-tone-hallway-260nw-1047839932.jpg)

Another big takeaway from this course is the vast array of databases that are available. I had always been content with the databases already in place in the school I had worked in, I didn’t realize how lucky I was until I moved to another position, now had I had the knowledge to critically assess the ones I used beforehand.  The value of understanding the scope of various databases, and inspecting them critically for the patron population in which you are working as an information specialist is another invaluable learning experience I have gained. This class opened my eyes to the vast array as well as equipping me with the knowledge to professionally assess each for my intended goals.

This course has taught me that ongoing professional development, as well as PLN’s are not important , they are critical in our profession! The voices of search have been my favorite part of this realization. They have shared such a diverse amount of knowledge, experience, and expertise that I realize that having a wide network of various information specialists will only help you in this professional pathway.

The picture I envision for search My biggest overall takeaway from this course was becoming aware of the many facets and “layers” of the information landscape. There were so many things I literally had no idea of before this course : from Boolean search, biased algorithms, open  access issues , deep/ dark/ web, as well as the many shapes and facets of search that truly takes place every minute of every day.

Another big takeaway from this course is the vast array of databases that are available. I had always been content with the databases already in place in the school I had worked in, I didn’t realize how lucky I was until I moved to another position, now had I had the knowledge to critically assess the ones I used beforehand.  The value of understanding the scope of various databases, and inspecting them critically for the patron population in which you are working as an information specialist is another invaluable learning experience I have gained. This class opened my eyes to the vast array as well as equipping me with the knowledge to professionally assess each for my intended goals.

I used to think search was not for me because I was never officially trained in understanding the functions of a database. For example, none of my high school teachers or librarians explained to me the functions of Boolean by explaining what the AND, OR, and NOT features are meant for. They just told me to insert words into the search bar and hit enter. But now, I think search is easy to teach and understand if an educator takes the time to teach students about search. Maybe have interactive and fun activities related to search.

The biggest highlight from this course is learning about Boolean operators and listening to professionals in the field of research about their jobs and experiences working with search. I loved listening to Voice of Search every week. It gave me insight into how search is integrated outside of the classroom and has broadened my knowledge over all different types of librarian jobs that are available in the world. 

What I have learned in this course can be applied to my current job and in my future career in the public library services. I can ask patrons, students, and teachers about the question they are trying to answer, as well as, having the skills to break down specific concepts to enter into a basic or advanced search. Since having full access to a hundred plus databases, I can refer students and teachers to specific databases that will meet their needs. Lastly, what I have learned and taken from participating in Professor Valenza’s only meetings on Tuesday nights, librarians need to promote and join committees to continue the awareness of databases, as well as continuing to meet the demands of patron’s needs by having available resources (databases) to use and refer to.

The information landscape looks like this quote I found online and will always follow by when helping patrons that visit a library I work in. Here is the link

I am already applying my expanded understanding of curation tools to my personal and professional life.  Pearltrees!  Dr. Valenza definitely converted me!  I love this as a tool to organize my own research and to share with others.  I am also excited to continue to curate news feeds for both myself and eventually my library.

Roy Tennant’s assertion rings even more true for me now.  This was evident in my work on my LibGuides.  I went a little search crazy!  It’s so exciting when you stumble upon a new aspect of a topic and then go deeper and deeper, foraging for the best information on that aspect.  

My metaphor for the information landscape connects to my D&D LibGuide.  I see our quest for information as a dungeon crawl.  Wikipedia provides us with an adequate definition:  type of scenario in fantasy role playing games in which heroes navigate a labyrinth environment (a "dungeon"), battling various monsters, avoiding traps, solving puzzles, and looting any treasure they may find.  The landscape is the dungeon.  We (the searchers) are the heroes.  Our goal is to make our way out with the treasure (information to answer our query).  However, there are many traps (clickbait, content farms), puzzles (facet analysis, choosing the right search tool or strategy), and monsters (fake news, data tracking) along the way!  We are not alone though!  Friendly allies (librarians) join us and offer aid (search support and education) and assets (evaluation tools, curated content).  We may even uncover hidden gems that we didn’t expect to find (a new aspect of our topic, information bits that connect to our query or positively change our direction).  If we persevere, using our tools and allies effectively, we will resurface into the light with our informational boon!  

My biggest highlight is a reflection of my own interests. I have always enjoyed researching or searching for information, but I always felt a bit off the mark when it came to describing why and what about it I liked. This course showed me that search is an entire discipline dedicated to the journey of seeking, synthesizing, and understanding not only the information you need, but discerning “good” vs. “bad” sources. It was also reassuring to know that there are many information professionals who are passionate about this subject. For a while, I felt like I was stuck in no man’s land having this “hobby” that I wanted to somehow turn into a job, and the fact that these skills can be applied to so many types of careers.

I think I’ll forever question and assess the sources I consume. I’ve always did it to a small extent, but moving forward, I’ll be more thorough in vetting my content -- whether that means finding balanced information (political), cross-referencing facts or understanding why a piece was published (e.g. intent, affiliation that may create bias). 

Searching vs. finding matters because searching is an iterative process, whereas finding information is an isolated event with a clear end point. Searching is a learning experience, both for the subject matter and for fine-tuning what methods work best. It’s investigative. It can even tell us more about the human condition. Throughout this course, I was reminded of this fascinating true-crime documentary called “Don’t F*ck With Kittens” on Netflix, which is about how this hodge-podge of online renegade searchers hunt for a serial killer all over the world -- all from their homes. The documentary is gripping and the serial killer is creepy, but what you also see is how the curiosity, determination, and search skills of these “regular” people impact a global hunt for a serial killer. There’s a very practical application and impact of search, but also a need to validate the search process and logic to support conclusions made from them. 

Comic - Map of the New Media Landscape

Infographic - Dealing with Information Overload

Searching is an acquired skill. There is a lot of strategy involved to ultimately find information that you are looking for on the web. This course has provided me with methods to overcome difficulties that exist within the information landscape such as biases, database organization, information access, and internet algorithms. I feel confident that I have the tools I need to be a master searcher, but am definitely still working through trial and error within my searches to figure out what works best for my information finding. 

A big aha moment for me was the concept that the realm of search is constantly changing. The way we find information is much different now than it was 20, 10, or even 5 years ago! This shows how important it is to stay on top of things, and a great way to do so is by remaining involved in the information community. Blogs, social media, and various websites are a great way to stay current on search trends.

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This class has shown me the skills, tips, and tricks required to be a great searcher. It truly is a craft, and I think it is our responsibility to use our search toolkits to help users and patrons find what they are looking for, and them learn how to navigate this heavily saturated information landscape as well. 

Referring back to Roy Tennant’s quote: “Only librarians like to search. Everybody else likes to find”. I don’t think you necessarily have to be a librarian, but I think you do need a love and appreciation of information. Navigating the information landscape can be like overcoming an obstacle course at times. Many are quick to use a Google search to instantly answer their questions, but this is not the same as an information professional who navigates their various tools to find a trustworthy and credible source. 

There is more than meets the eye with Google and other everyday search tools. These platforms still have flaws in their algorithms, and it is important for us as information  us to sort through and manipulate our searches in ways to get the information we need.