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

 

In anticipation of their 8^th 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…

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.

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. 

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.

·       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. 

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.

 

 

 

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. 

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. 

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).

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. 

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!

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.

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

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. 

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!

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

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. 

 

    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!