scholarly journals Searching where for what: A comparison of use of the library catalogue, Google and Wikipedia

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (110) ◽  
pp. 65-82
Author(s):  
Vivienne Waller
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Search Queries ◽  
Reference Services ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Library Catalogue ◽  
Google Search

There is a widespread concern amongst librarians that Google Search and Wikipedia are making library reference services and even library collections redundant. There is however, little research on the types of subjects that people look up on Google, Wikipedia and library catalogues. This exploratory analysis draws together the results of transaction log analyses of the subjects of Google and library catalogue search queries and the subject of search engine queries that took users to Wikipedia. As well as comparing the subject of search queries, it estimates the extent of use of each information resource. Hence this paper contributes to research on current information-seeking and the role of public libraries in online information provision.

The Impact of a Highly Publicized Celebrity Suicide on Suicide-Related Online Information Seeking

Crisis ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Arendt ◽  
Sebastian Scherr
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Search Queries ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Celebrity Suicide ◽  
Online Information Seeking ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Background: Research has already acknowledged the importance of the Internet in suicide prevention as search engines such as Google are increasingly used in seeking both helpful and harmful suicide-related information. Aims: We aimed to assess the impact of a highly publicized suicide by a Hollywood actor on suicide-related online information seeking. Method: We tested the impact of the highly publicized suicide of Robin Williams on volumes of suicide-related search queries. Results: Both harmful and helpful search terms increased immediately after the actor's suicide, with a substantial jump of harmful queries. Limitations: The study has limitations (e.g., possible validity threats of the query share measure, use of ambiguous search terms). Conclusion: Online suicide prevention efforts should try to increase online users' awareness of and motivation to seek help, for which Google's own helpline box could play an even more crucial role in the future.

The Public Library's Role in Enabling E-Government

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 18-32
Author(s):  
Cherry-Ann Smart
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Social Role ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Public ◽  
Rich Countries

In most developed countries, linking citizens with e-government through Information Communication Technology (ICT) is an important social role for public libraries. Public libraries partner with government agencies; acting as intermediaries to bridge government with citizens in a way which adds value. In developing countries, public libraries have not attained that intermediary level. Instead, the role of public libraries is constrained to performing a tangential role to e-government. This includes its focus on the provision of access to information. As Caribbean governments progress further with e-government implementation, public libraries may need to expand their role beyond information provision to help citizens in their adoption of e-government, as well as enhance their service provision to them. This highlights some of the digital divide issues that developing countries experience versus information rich countries (i.e., developed nations) such as the United States of America. Thus, the digital divide is not only about access to ICTs; it also now includes citizens' capacity to use ICTs. This paper examines the capacity and role of the public libraries in Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica in enhancing e-government efforts.

Undergraduate Students Information Behavior in the Changing Technological Era

2014 ◽  
pp. 211-226
Author(s):  
Naifa Eid Al-Saleem
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
Sultan Qaboos University ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Google Search ◽  
Academic Year

There has been a great deal of research conducted to investigate the information-seeking behavior of difference group of users. A search of current literature, however, reveals few studies dealing with information-seeking strategies of undergraduates in the electronic era. This chapter presents the results of a preliminary study of information-seeking among 675 undergraduates at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). The study was designed to 1) explore undergraduates’ information-seeking behavior with e-resources; 2) identify the role of faculty members and librarians in assisting undergraduates to attain search skills; and 3) discover the differences between undergraduates in terms of their age, gender, academic year, and college. The study results indicated that only 3% of undergraduates use the electronic services and databases subscribed to by the SQU main library. In addition, the results showed that 57.7% of the undergraduate students at SQU used the Google search engine for their initial search. There is a statistical difference between undergraduate students in terms of their age and use of e-resources. Finally, this study found the role of faculty members and librarians in assisting undergraduates to learn search strategies is almost absent.

scholarly journals Linking physicians’ medical practice information needs, resources and barriers to job satisfaction

2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 1134-1153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petros Kostagiolas ◽  
Panagiotis Gorezis ◽  
Konstantina Martzoukou ◽  
Dimitrios Deligeorgis ◽  
Dimitris Niakas
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Medical Practice ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Overall Job Satisfaction

Purpose Medical doctors seek information in order to satisfy their demanding everyday work practices and professional development endeavours. Information seeking is a continuous goal-related process that has impact on how they perceive and experience their job. The purpose of this paper is to explore the association of doctors’ awareness of medical practice information needs (MPIN), their frequency of using online information resources and the barriers they encountered during information seeking with their overall job satisfaction. More specifically, the research examined the mediating role of these information seeking related variables (information needs, online scholarly resources and information barriers) on doctors’ overall job satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach The study employed a questionnaire survey of 138 medical doctors working within the context of a University Hospital in Greece. The survey took place between February and March 2014. To test the hypotheses the authors conducted regression analysis, hierarchical moderated analysis and bootstrapping using SPSS macro developed by Preacher and colleagues. Findings The statistical analysis found that higher awareness of MPIN had an indirect effect on doctors’ overall job satisfaction when they used online information scholar resources. In addition, this indirect effect was contingent on information-related barriers. Originality/value This study provides evidence for supporting the pivotal role of doctors’ information seeking preferences in fostering job satisfaction. This is an understudied research area that deserves a unique focus particularly with the constantly expanding medical information space that has impact on doctors’ medical practices and professional activities.

scholarly journals An author report: Elfreda Annmary Chatman

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 844
Author(s):  
Murat Erkan Eren
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Small Communities ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Women In Prison ◽  
Information Poverty ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviors

The main aim of this report is to become familiar with Elfreda A. Chatman and her major works and theories. She has contributed information science by producing several theories such as “the theory of information poverty,” “the normative behavior theory” and “the theory of life in the round” and implemented many studies about information seeking behavior of ordinary people. Although her major is library and information science, she focused on women in prison, the feminist movement, poor workers and janitors at large universities by using an ethnographic perception. She emphasized their information seeking behaviors in small communities and tried to describe their approach about information poverty. Also, she studied public libraries and the role of mentorship of the library leaders. The findings she found in her studies are useful not only for information science but also other disciplines such as sociology and psychology.

scholarly journals BIBLIOTECÁRIOS COMO ESPECIALISTAS EM SEO: reflexões a partir do Google = LIBRARIANS AS SEO EXPERTS: reflections from Google

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Antonio Carlos Picalho
Keyword(s):  
Search Engine ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Search Engine Optimization ◽  
De Se ◽  
Current Context ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Google Search

No contexto atual da sociedade em que se insere as unidades informacionais e demais espaços de atuação do Bibliotecário, é necessário que este profissional desenvolva cada vez mais competências e busque se adequar ao meio e às inovações, principalmente tecnológicas. Pensando nas competências adquiridas durante a sua formação e nas atribuições inerentes ao cargo, é possível estabelecer correlações entre os principais requisitos necessários para atuar como especialista em Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Este artigo teve por objetivo trazer algumas reflexões sobre a atuação do Bibliotecário nessa área, a partir dos conhecimentos inerentes à profissão. Para isto descreveu-se o processo de uma pesquisa realizada no buscador Google e como o SEO funciona e interfere nesse meio. Na forma de uma revisão narrativa e pesquisa exploratória visando aumentar a familiaridade dos pesquisadores da área para com o tema, um quadro comparativo das atividades do profissional de biblioteconomia para com o profissional que atua com técnicas de SEO foi desenvolvido. Considera-se ao final do estudo que o Bibliotecário tem totais condições de se especializar na área e contribuir significativamente a partir do uso de habilidades inerentes a um profissional da informação.AbstractIn the current context of society in which informational units and other spaces ofactivity of the Librarian are inserted, it is necessary that these professionals develop more and more skills and seek to adapt to the environment and to innovations, especially technological ones. Thinking about the skills acquired during their training and the attributions inherent to the position, it is possible to establish correlations between the main requirements needed to act as a specialist in Search Engine Optimization (SEO). This article aimed to bring some reflections on the role of Librarians in this area, based on the knowledge inherent to the profession. For this, it was described the process of a search carried out in the Google search engine and how SEO works and interferes in this environment. In the form of a narrative review and exploratory research aimed at increasing the familiarity of researchers in the area with the subject, a comparative table of the activities of the librarianship professional with the professional who works with SEO techniques was developed. It is considered at the end of the study that the Librarian is fully able to specialize in the area and contribute significantly from the use of skills inherent to an informationprofessional. 

Information seeking and/or identity seeking: libraries as sources of cultural identity

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 12-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Szabolcs Dancs
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Identity ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multicultural Environment ◽  
Personal Process

Purpose What are the responsibilities of libraries, if there is any, in the personal process of constructing cultural identity? The purpose of this paper is to find answers to this question and pose several others such as: Can the author define a standard for creating group identity, for instance, by involving or integrating tools and experiences from the area of bibliotherapy? How can libraries support their patrons to work with their tradition, on their tradition, i.e. to create their own cultural identity? Design/methodology/approach The author provides with proposals to develop library services to meet new expectations that are raised by the increasing importance of bridging communities of different cultural backgrounds. Findings By expanding the scope of bibliotherapy, the author might assist in solving social problems and international tensions. The author should consider the possibility of running projects involving historians, culture experts and bibliotherapists to build a shared digital corpus and design specific tools for research and constructing common narratives. To find common cultural references in a multicultural environment is a challenge that requires openness in many fields. Public libraries are mainly at the frontline. There are some old responsibilities that need to be refined under the changing circumstances; new tasks and principals might emerge. Originality/value Despite the role of libraries in creating cultural identity is emphasized by a couple of relevant IFLA and UNESCO documents, there are no specific guides on methods to implement. A few ideas have been outlined in this paper about how libraries could contribute to bringing cultures together and challenge prejudices and stereotypes.

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