Lorne Chase
Columns
August 26, 2008 10:00 AM
Lorne Chase
Most of you use a search engine such as Yahoo!, Dogpile or Google when searching for information.
These are ideal for helping you navigate the vast and complex Internet universe, but they may not be the best way to conduct research.
Now before you accuse me of bias, let me say I use search engines as much as the next person.
Sure, information is available on the Internet, but are you finding the right information? Teachers and educators are discovering the extent of research for many students is a superficial online search with facts gleaned from sites such as Wikipedia, which allows anyone to add content and is known to contain errors.
What’s the difference between using search engines and the library?
Search engines give you quick information, while the library provides more scholarly research and the expertise of reference staff to point you in the right direction, online or on the shelves.
Time-saving searches
When you’re doing research, you don’t want to wade through a lot of material. Try a Google search for “income tax planning”, for example, and you get 852,000 results.
The same search of library database Canadian Business and Current Affairs returns 759 results, all from reputable newspapers, magazines and newswires.
Access to reputable
information sources
Search engines are free to anyone with access to a computer, but they don’t have any quality control that verifies the information you find.
The library subscribes to paid online databases because its content is compiled and reviewed for accuracy.
And all you need is a library card to access it. For more information, call 905-953-5110, ext. 4770 or visit www.newmarketpl.ca
Lorne Chase is marketing and communications co-ordinator for the Newmarket Public Library.