In walking around most public library’s Internet or computer areas I’m struck by one fact: few if any people seem to make great use of standard library databases (e.g. N.C. Live). This theorem could probably be lodged at users of academic libraries beyond students doing research for a mandatory class paper. But come to think about it, I’m not sure if a majority of librarians bother with searching or looking at the treasures found in the databases (e.g. NCLive, JSTOR, Lexis Nexis) their particular library/library system has paid for. This is not surprising given that I have heard some librarians publicly brag “I don’t like to read”. I personally relish reading the content of some of these databases; particularly professional library literature databases like Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts.
Part of the reason most library databases are step children to the dominant Google search engine has to do with the fact that most Integrated Library Systems and library web sites don’t employ seamless and competent search engines. Library databases used by reference librarians in their daily tasks must compete with library regulations, staff contacts, community programs, library news and other miscellaneous stuff. In comparison all Google’s website contains is a very minimalist search box.
Thus, maybe as a way to get us librarians and information specialists to think differently relative to the search/research conundrum, I highly recommend Douglas C. Merrill’s Getting Organized in the Google Era. Merrill, former CIO of Google gives the reader and librarian insight into how the human brain organizes data and uses ideas and information. Merrill has professional and personal experiences to back up his book’s thesis: he has a Phd in cognitive science and he is dyslexic. For the record most of the world’s geniuses, arts luminaries, scientists and unintentional millionaires has dyslexia. It is said some dyslexics are able to also see ideas and images spatially and three-dimensionally—a trait inherently lacking in non-dyslexic.
For librarians not interested in reading Merrill’s entire thought provoking treatise I recommend at least reading pages 83-89 which provides an overview about using Google search engine techniques.
Below are a few Google type search techniques.
Use quotations marks around a phrase—quotes around search parameters search the exact phrase. (Ex. “book publishing”).
Search using adjectives—place the tilde ~ symbol after search strings. (Ex. “waffle irons”~expensive) Conversely, if you use OR in the search the results will be narrowed considerably.
Get specific ranges—use the ellipsis (…) three periods. (ex. “waffle iron”$50…$200) You have just located a waffle iron costing between $50 and $200.
Telephone numbers—trying to figure out which neighborhood kid is calling and hanging up type in phonebook and the number of the caller. (Ex. phonebook: 919-667-9230). Need to find your college roommate put in the name and possible locale of the person you are looking for. (ex. phonebook: John Bridges, Cary NC).
Flight Status—checking the flight status of the candidate coming in for an interview just type in the airline and flight number. (ex. American 435).
Definition of words—type word to be defined in parenthesis. (ex. “predicament”).
Current weather conditions—type the word weather and the location. (ex. “weather Durham, NC”)
Locate an address—put in street address and geographical location. (ex. 1201 Fayetteville St. Durham, NC).
Find a movie—type in title of movie and zip code. (ex. Avatar 27701).
Calculator—* is multiply (x) and / is divide. (ex. 3*9+2=29).
Convert Currency—(ex. 10 yen in dollars).
