SurvivingSurviving the Internetthe Internet

Strategies for the High-Tech Reference Strategies for the High-Tech Reference DeskDesk

Or, How I Learned to Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Stop Worrying and Love

the Webthe Web

Digital Digital ReferenceReference How did we get into How did we get into

this situation? this situation? Librarians vs. patron Librarians vs. patron

information seeking information seeking behaviorbehavior

Survival tool sitesSurvival tool sites

First, a Mental Model of the First, a Mental Model of the WebWeb Where did it come Where did it come

from? from? What is its history?What is its history? How does it work?How does it work?

Transmission Transmission Control Control Protocol / Protocol / Internet Internet ProtocolProtocol

TCP/IP allows communication across platforms.TCP/IP allows communication across platforms. Acts like the transporter in Acts like the transporter in Star TrekStar Trek: A Web : A Web

page breaks up into “packets”, disappears, then page breaks up into “packets”, disappears, then reassembles at its destination.reassembles at its destination.

Web Born in 1990Web Born in 1990 Tim Berners-Lee invented Tim Berners-Lee invented

it at CERN (European it at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Organization for Nuclear Research), near Geneva.Research), near Geneva.

Designed for physicists to Designed for physicists to share information.share information.

Marc Andreessen invented Marc Andreessen invented the first graphical browser, the first graphical browser, Mosaic, in 1993 at the Mosaic, in 1993 at the University of Illinois.University of Illinois.

World Wide Web World Wide Web Has Grown Has Grown ExponentiallyExponentially 2001 survey shows that Internet is 2001 survey shows that Internet is

the only thing in 50 years that has the only thing in 50 years that has attracted the young away from attracted the young away from televisiontelevision

Clifford Lynch re: Melvyl: “For these Clifford Lynch re: Melvyl: “For these users, anything not in the database users, anything not in the database effectively does not exist.”effectively does not exist.”

Who Uses the Who Uses the Web?Web?

Russian MafiaRussian Mafia Islamic extremistsIslamic extremists Homeless guys in librariesHomeless guys in libraries

Information Seeking Information Seeking BehaviorBehavior

Humans are Humans are irrational and irrational and lazylazy

Humans Humans “satisfice”, “satisfice”, settling for “good settling for “good enough” enough”

Is this bad?Is this bad?

““The Convenience The Convenience Catastrophe”: Roy TennantCatastrophe”: Roy Tennant Patrons are happy with a quick and Patrons are happy with a quick and

mediocre answermediocre answer Patrons can’t distinguish between Patrons can’t distinguish between

types of librariestypes of libraries If they see the Internet as the If they see the Internet as the

answer to most of their questions, answer to most of their questions, does that make librarians obsolete?does that make librarians obsolete?

Librarians Think in BooleanLibrarians Think in Boolean

We focus on finding We focus on finding the “Right Answer”the “Right Answer”

Obsessive compulsive Obsessive compulsive tendencies are plusses tendencies are plusses in the library worldin the library world

We feel offended We feel offended when patrons value when patrons value convenience over convenience over accuracyaccuracy

We must acknowledge our We must acknowledge our resistance to changeresistance to change We librarians have We librarians have

many years of many years of education and education and training.training.

Still, the public does Still, the public does not understand or not understand or respect our expertise.respect our expertise.

Do remote services Do remote services make us feel even make us feel even more extraneous than more extraneous than we already do?we already do?

Patrons Expect Patrons Expect ConvenienceConvenience Remote service Remote service

nullifies the nullifies the restriction of restriction of offering service offering service at a particular at a particular time and placetime and place

Banks have itBanks have it Public can buy Public can buy

books with it: books with it: Amazon.comAmazon.com

Panic FactorPanic Factor

Once we offer our skills Once we offer our skills for free on the Web, for free on the Web, we open the doors to a we open the doors to a flood of new flood of new unsophisticated users.unsophisticated users.

How can we cope?How can we cope?

Our Reputation at Our Reputation at StakeStake

Can we combine speed with accuracy in Can we combine speed with accuracy in answering questions on the Web?answering questions on the Web?

Will we end up with egg on our face?Will we end up with egg on our face?

Our Public Still Needs Our Public Still Needs UsUs

Our role changes Our role changes from intermediary from intermediary to teacherto teacher

Patrons still need Patrons still need searching skillssearching skills

They need critical They need critical thinking skills thinking skills more than evermore than ever

Five Quality PointsFive Quality Points AuthorityAuthority: What are the : What are the

author's credentials? author's credentials? CurrencyCurrency: Is the page up-: Is the page up-

to-date?          to-date?           Accuracy/BiasAccuracy/Bias: Hidden : Hidden

agenda?                           agenda?                           CommercialismCommercialism: Are : Are

they trying to sell they trying to sell something?something?

Scope/CoverageScope/Coverage: Does : Does the information answer the information answer your question--and in your question--and in enough depth?enough depth?

The Three World Wide WebsThe Three World Wide Webs

The Open WebThe Open Web Anything that can be found Anything that can be found

with a search enginewith a search engine FreeFree

The Gated WebThe Gated Web Databases that cost Databases that cost

moneymoney The Invisible WebThe Invisible Web

Databases that can only be queried Databases that can only be queried through a particular page or “front end”through a particular page or “front end” Cannot be “seen” by search enginesCannot be “seen” by search engines

Example: “American Memory”Example: “American Memory”

Three Basic Web Survival Three Basic Web Survival ToolsTools GoogleGoogle [http://www.google.com/] This is an [http://www.google.com/] This is an

uncannily precise search engine. Use for almost uncannily precise search engine. Use for almost everything, including spell checking and finding everything, including spell checking and finding quotes.quotes.

Librarians Index to the InternetLibrarians Index to the Internet [http://www.lii.org] You need quality information [http://www.lii.org] You need quality information from the Internet? You will find it here, from the Internet? You will find it here, searchable, classified, annotated, and signed.searchable, classified, annotated, and signed.

About.comAbout.com [http://about.com] This is a great [http://about.com] This is a great place to get the hobbyist’s view of “popular” place to get the hobbyist’s view of “popular” topics on the Web. topics on the Web.

GoogleGoogle::It It IsIs Magic!Magic!

Yes, thank you,Yes, thank you, Google Google

http://www.lii.orghttp://www.lii.org Librarians Librarians

evaluating sites evaluating sites for librariansfor librarians

SearchableSearchable

Librarians’ Librarians’ IndexIndexto the Internetto the Internet

Enthusiasts Enthusiasts power power

About.comAbout.com

Ready ReferenceReady Reference The Internet Public Library (IPL)The Internet Public Library (IPL)

[http://www.ipl.org] Every link in this searchable [http://www.ipl.org] Every link in this searchable collection have been carefully selected, collection have been carefully selected, cataloged, and described by a member of the IPL cataloged, and described by a member of the IPL staff. Use their reference section for current links staff. Use their reference section for current links to quality resources. Visit “Youth Resources” to to quality resources. Visit “Youth Resources” to answer those pesky homework questions.answer those pesky homework questions.

InfoPlease AlmanacInfoPlease Almanac [http://www.infoplease.com/] This is a great [http://www.infoplease.com/] This is a great destination for quick answers to many questions. destination for quick answers to many questions. Find maps, definitions, and brief biographies Find maps, definitions, and brief biographies here.here.

Merriam-Webster OnlineMerriam-Webster Online [http://www.m- [http://www.m-w.com/dictionary.htm] It’s a dictionary and a w.com/dictionary.htm] It’s a dictionary and a thesaurus. Keep it open always.thesaurus. Keep it open always.

People FindersPeople Finders SuperPages SuperPages

[http://www.superpages.com/] [http://www.superpages.com/] Use Verizon’s interface to do Use Verizon’s interface to do nationwide searches of white nationwide searches of white and yellow pages.and yellow pages.

Worldpages.com Worldpages.com [http://global.wpz.com/] Click [http://global.wpz.com/] Click into the phone books of over 235 into the phone books of over 235 countries through this interface.countries through this interface.

The UltimatesThe Ultimates [http://www.theultimates.com] [http://www.theultimates.com] The UltimatesThe Ultimates will run a name will run a name through several telephone through several telephone directories without forcing the directories without forcing the user to retypeuser to retype..

Search SystemsSearch Systems [http://www.pac-info.com] [http://www.pac-info.com] Here is a directory of links Here is a directory of links to over 1,250 searchable, to over 1,250 searchable, freely accessible public freely accessible public record databases.record databases.

KnowX KnowX [http://www.knowx.com] [http://www.knowx.com] Search its business, Search its business, people, and professional people, and professional license databases for free. license databases for free. If you find your person, If you find your person, pay a minimal fee to view pay a minimal fee to view detailed results.detailed results.

Full Text OnlineFull Text Online On-line Books PageOn-line Books Page

[http://digital.library.upenn.edu/books/] This definitive, [http://digital.library.upenn.edu/books/] This definitive, searchable directory to books freely readable over the Web searchable directory to books freely readable over the Web will help you find any copy of a classic you might need. will help you find any copy of a classic you might need. Search by author, title, or Library of Congress subject Search by author, title, or Library of Congress subject heading.heading.

FindArticles.comFindArticles.com [http://www.findarticles.com/PI/index.jhtml] Need articles? [http://www.findarticles.com/PI/index.jhtml] Need articles? Search this free archive of full-text articles dating back to Search this free archive of full-text articles dating back to 1998 from more than 300 magazines and journals.1998 from more than 300 magazines and journals.

MagPortal.comMagPortal.com [http://magportal.com/] MagPortal collects [http://magportal.com/] MagPortal collects and classifies links to those newsletters and magazines that and classifies links to those newsletters and magazines that offer current, interesting, yet free content on the Web.offer current, interesting, yet free content on the Web.

Business InformationBusiness Information Hoovers OnlineHoovers Online [http://www.hoovers.com] This is [http://www.hoovers.com] This is

the best site for reliable, and often free, business the best site for reliable, and often free, business information on the Web.information on the Web.

Thomas RegisterThomas Register [http://www.thomasregister.com/]In return for a free [http://www.thomasregister.com/]In return for a free registration, find out who manufactures what where registration, find out who manufactures what where in the U.S.in the U.S.

Yahoo! FinanceYahoo! Finance [http://finance.yahoo.com/] This is a [http://finance.yahoo.com/] This is a comprehensive portal for current and historical comprehensive portal for current and historical company data, investment information, stock quotes company data, investment information, stock quotes from major U.S. and Canadian exchanges.from major U.S. and Canadian exchanges.

CorporateInformationCorporateInformation [http://www.corporateinformation.com] Register for [http://www.corporateinformation.com] Register for free to find information about companies in 65 free to find information about companies in 65 countries.countries.

Law ResourcesLaw Resources NoloNolo [http://www.nolopress.com/] For 30 years, Nolo [http://www.nolopress.com/] For 30 years, Nolo

Press has been “putting the law into plain English”. Press has been “putting the law into plain English”. Use their “Law Centers” for free information on Use their “Law Centers” for free information on everyday legal topics.everyday legal topics.

FindLawFindLaw [http://www.findlaw.com] This is the first- [http://www.findlaw.com] This is the first-stop, premier law resource on the Web. It features a stop, premier law resource on the Web. It features a legal subject index, access to cases and codes, legal subject index, access to cases and codes, information about law schools, law reviews, and legal information about law schools, law reviews, and legal associations and organizations.associations and organizations.

Legal Information Institute at Cornell Legal Information Institute at Cornell UniversityUniversity [http:// www.law.cornell.edu/] This is the [http:// www.law.cornell.edu/] This is the research tool of choice to find the text of laws. Find research tool of choice to find the text of laws. Find state laws, federal laws, and laws from around the state laws, federal laws, and laws from around the world. world.

Medical ResourcesMedical Resources

The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and TherapyThe Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy [http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual] Completely [http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual] Completely searchable, this online publication lists the causes, searchable, this online publication lists the causes, symptoms, and prognosis of just about everything symptoms, and prognosis of just about everything that can go wrong with you. Too hard to that can go wrong with you. Too hard to understand? Check out its sister site, understand? Check out its sister site, The Merck The Merck Manual Home EditionManual Home Edition [http://www.merckhomeedition.com].[http://www.merckhomeedition.com].

MayoClinic.comMayoClinic.com [http://www.mayohealth.org/home] The famous [http://www.mayohealth.org/home] The famous Mayo Clinic in Minnesota offers this resource, which Mayo Clinic in Minnesota offers this resource, which gives reliable, general information about many gives reliable, general information about many different ailments and conditions.different ailments and conditions.

Medical ResourcesMedical Resources

InteliHealthInteliHealth [www.intelihealth.com/] This consumer health [www.intelihealth.com/] This consumer health site from the Harvard Medical School aims to offer you the site from the Harvard Medical School aims to offer you the Web’s most comprehensive collection of consumer health Web’s most comprehensive collection of consumer health information from the best possible sources. Features the information from the best possible sources. Features the Merriam-Websters Medical DictionaryMerriam-Websters Medical Dictionary online online [http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9276/9276.[http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9276/9276.html?k=navx408x9276].html?k=navx408x9276].

MEDLINEplus Health InformationMEDLINEplus Health Information [http://medlineplus.gov] The National Library of Medicine [http://medlineplus.gov] The National Library of Medicine has assembled its resources onto one attractive portal has assembled its resources onto one attractive portal designed for general health consumers.designed for general health consumers.

RxList.comRxList.com [http://www.rxlist.com] RxList lets you search [http://www.rxlist.com] RxList lets you search by drug name, imprint code, or keyword then offers direct by drug name, imprint code, or keyword then offers direct access to Taber's Medical Encyclopedia from the result access to Taber's Medical Encyclopedia from the result page. page.

StatisticsStatistics

FedStats: One Stop Shopping for Federal FedStats: One Stop Shopping for Federal StatisticsStatistics [http://www.fedstats.gov] "More than 70 [http://www.fedstats.gov] "More than 70 agencies in the United States federal government agencies in the United States federal government produce statistics. This site provides easy access to produce statistics. This site provides easy access to the full range of statistics and information produced the full range of statistics and information produced by these agencies. by these agencies.

University of Michigan Documents CenterUniversity of Michigan Documents Center [http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/index.html] This [http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/index.html] This is central reference and referral point for is central reference and referral point for government information, whether local, state, government information, whether local, state, federal, foreign, or international.federal, foreign, or international.

Sites for StudentsSites for Students Biography.comBiography.com [http://www.biography.com/] Use this site [http://www.biography.com/] Use this site

to "search over 25,000 of the greatest lives, past and to "search over 25,000 of the greatest lives, past and present." present."

Science Fair CentralScience Fair Central [http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/] Visit the [http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/] Visit the Discovery Channel's guide to science fair projects. Get Discovery Channel's guide to science fair projects. Get guidance to the steps required in an experiment, get ideas, guidance to the steps required in an experiment, get ideas, and search their links and suggested books for data. and search their links and suggested books for data.

QuickMathQuickMath [http://www-sci.lib.uci.edu/HSG/RefCalculators.html] Type in [http://www-sci.lib.uci.edu/HSG/RefCalculators.html] Type in an algebra or calculus problem and have the MathScript an algebra or calculus problem and have the MathScript server calculate results for you.server calculate results for you.

FinAid: The Financial Aid Information PageFinAid: The Financial Aid Information Page [http://www.finaid.org] Here is a comprehensive page of [http://www.finaid.org] Here is a comprehensive page of student financial aid links. student financial aid links.

Travel SitesTravel Sites QIXOQIXO [http://www.qixo.com] [http://www.qixo.com]

Here is a metasearch engine for Here is a metasearch engine for travel, a “bot” that aggregates travel, a “bot” that aggregates data from at least 27 data from at least 27 independent travel sites, independent travel sites, including Expedia, Orbitz, the including Expedia, Orbitz, the airlines' own sites and smaller airlines' own sites and smaller sites specializing in travel to sites specializing in travel to certain destinations.certain destinations.

MapBlastMapBlast [http://www.mapblast.com/] [http://www.mapblast.com/] MapBlast, was one of the first MapBlast, was one of the first mapmakers on the Web. If you mapmakers on the Web. If you know the address, you can get a know the address, you can get a map and directions for over 200 map and directions for over 200 countries, including the Slovak countries, including the Slovak Republic.Republic.

Weather UndergroundWeather Underground [http://www.wunderground.com/] [http://www.wunderground.com/] This site offers forecasts where This site offers forecasts where others fear to tread. Cuba, for others fear to tread. Cuba, for example.example.

Onanda.comOnanda.com [http://www.oanda.com/c[http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic] Get your onvert/classic] Get your current and historical current and historical currency conversion currency conversion rates here.rates here.

Indo.com: How Far Is Indo.com: How Far Is It?It? [http://www.indo.com/dis[http://www.indo.com/distance/] Type the names tance/] Type the names of any two cities into the of any two cities into the search boxes on this search boxes on this Indonesian travel site, Indonesian travel site, and it will tell you the and it will tell you the distance between them distance between them (as the crow flies) in (as the crow flies) in miles, kilometers, and miles, kilometers, and nautical miles (in case nautical miles (in case you will be swimming).you will be swimming).

Other Useful LinksOther Useful Links

ConsumerSearchConsumerSearch [http://www.consumersearch.com] Need to buy a [http://www.consumersearch.com] Need to buy a new “durable good”? This site pulls consumer advice new “durable good”? This site pulls consumer advice from various consumer review sources into one from various consumer review sources into one place. Read their “Full Story” report or jump to the place. Read their “Full Story” report or jump to the “Fast Answers” section. “Fast Answers” section.

Kelley Blue BookKelley Blue Book [http://www.kbb.com/] Find the [http://www.kbb.com/] Find the value of old and new cars on this site.value of old and new cars on this site.

Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database [http://www.imdb.com/] [http://www.imdb.com/] Visit this site for an amazing amount of information Visit this site for an amazing amount of information about everything cinematic. about everything cinematic.

Keeping Up With Web Keeping Up With Web ChangeChange

Librarians' Index to the Internet: New This WeekLibrarians' Index to the Internet: New This Week [http://www.lii.org/search/file/mailinglist] Sign up for [http://www.lii.org/search/file/mailinglist] Sign up for LII’s current awareness service for keeping track of LII’s current awareness service for keeping track of great new Web sites! Every week, the Librarians' great new Web sites! Every week, the Librarians' Index to the Internet will e-mail you a list of the best Index to the Internet will e-mail you a list of the best ten to twenty Web sites newly added to this high ten to twenty Web sites newly added to this high quality, searchable resource.quality, searchable resource.

Yahoo! What's NewYahoo! What's New [http://dir.yahoo.com/new/] Get [http://dir.yahoo.com/new/] Get the scoop on new, hand-picked sites added to the scoop on new, hand-picked sites added to Yahoo!Yahoo! in the last week.in the last week.

ResearchBuzz ResearchBuzz [http://www.researchbuzz.com/] Tara [http://www.researchbuzz.com/] Tara Calishain covers the world of Internet research. Have Calishain covers the world of Internet research. Have her entertaining newsletter sent to your e-mail weeklyher entertaining newsletter sent to your e-mail weekly

Keeping Up With Web Keeping Up With Web ChangeChange

SearchDay NewsletterSearchDay Newsletter [http://www.searchenginewatch.com/searchday/sear[http://www.searchenginewatch.com/searchday/searchday.html] Chris Sherman, Associate Editor of chday.html] Chris Sherman, Associate Editor of Search Engine Watch, keeps us informed about Web Search Engine Watch, keeps us informed about Web searching trends in a companionable way.searching trends in a companionable way.

BusinessWeek Online: TechnologyBusinessWeek Online: Technology [http://www.businessweek.com/technology/] [http://www.businessweek.com/technology/] Designed so that non-technical managers can stay Designed so that non-technical managers can stay abreast of helpful new technologies by investing abreast of helpful new technologies by investing fifteen minutes weekly reading these stories.fifteen minutes weekly reading these stories.

If All Else FailsIf All Else Fails

LibDexLibDex [http://www.libdex.com/] Need [http://www.libdex.com/] Need to direct remote patrons back to their to direct remote patrons back to their home turf? Search home turf? Search LibDexLibDex to find the to find the Web pages of libraries around the Web pages of libraries around the world.world.

And And We Become We Become Masters of the Masters of the Medium and the Medium and the Machines!Machines!

A Few Simple A Few Simple Tricks . . .Tricks . . .

We Not We Not Only Only

Survive, Survive, We We

Triumph!Triumph!

Questions?Questions?