Librarians Fight Back Against Lazy Google Searchers
from the come-ask-the-expert dept
This certainly isn’t a new trend. Back in 2000 we first wrote about how librarians were trying to offer more online services, knowing that many people were just turning to search engines to try to answer questions that a reference librarian would normally answer. However, the trend continues and librarians are trying to make it known that Google doesn’t hold all the answers, and even when it does, it might help to have an expert in information sciences help you create a better query. They don’t deny the overall value of the internet (to themselves as well), but fear that too many people put too much faith in the results of a simple Google search.
Comments on “Librarians Fight Back Against Lazy Google Searchers”
Librarians Fight Back...
It goes without saying that google doesn’t know everything, but the example quoted by the librarian in the NY Times article shows she doesn’t know jack about using google either. A simple query (“Ross Perot” party presidency) brought up enough answers saying Reform Party for me to be convinced it was the right answer. Books have their place, but this article sounds more like the rearguarding of paper loyalists than any sensible discussion on the future of information.
Re: Librarians Fight Back...
The article was focusing more on the librarian as info-sifter more than just trying to cover their asses. They even say that they’re not averse to using Google. I think as more information and crap gets put on the internet, people will be in greater need of people to help them sort it all out.