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.
Hide this

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team


Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread


  1. identicon
    dan russell, 5 Feb 2004 @ 2:07am

    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    Jason Ochoa, 5 Feb 2004 @ 11:50pm

    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]


Follow Techdirt
Essential Reading
Techdirt Deals
Report this ad  |  Hide Techdirt ads
Techdirt Insider Discord

The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...

Loading...
Recent Stories

This site, like most other sites on the web, uses cookies. For more information, see our privacy policy. Got it
Close

Email This

This feature is only available to registered users. Register or sign in to use it.