Infodiet

The Infodiet: How Libraries Can Offer an Appetizing Alternative to Google. By: Bell, Steven J., Chronicle of Higher Education, 00095982, 2/20/2004, Vol. 50, Issue 24

This article is about the current problem libraries around the country are having in this new “Google” era. The problem that many libraries are facing, are dwindling numbers due to more and more students turning to Google for their academic answers, rather than their local or university library. The big problem is that the database manufacturers are spending more time competing with the other companies, and not enough time developing easy, navigable databases for the people actually using them. Another huge problem with these databases is that by trying to be so competitive with eachother, they are putting as many “full text” articles up on their databases as they can, often from questionable journals. This is leading to students searches of the databases not being much better than a Google search in terms of academic credibility.

Ultimately it is up to the faculty and professors to try to wean students off of their Google search habits. By giving assignments prohibiting the usage of Google, or simply educating the students on how to go about searching the databases easily, such as our Library class, the students will be more inclined to want to use resources other than the almighty Google. One such idea in the works is the “RedLightGreen” project. It has a single search box interface like Google, but upon searching, gives students suggestions to other terms that may lead to a more relevant search. These new databases also give students the option to put the material they find on the databases into several types of citation formats, which will drastically cut down on the time spent at the end of the paper referencing.