Why do you search?
Seems like such a simple question, doesn't it? You search because...- you want to find something
- you do not know where that something is
- you need specific information
- you need to find a website, a person, or a place
Once there, you type your keywords, you click "go" or "search" and what do you get? Search results - a list of websites provided by the search engine that are said to be connected with the words you typed into the search engine. The order and quality of the search results differ with every search engine.
What do you do next?
You glance at the search results. The results contain mostly fragments of words and phrases. You see words, titles of websites at times, even images or news headlines. You glance again at the list, perhaps advancing to the second or third page or further. You also see advertisements.Then what?
You follow links. You decide, "I'll try this website." Best case scenario: it's the website you need, providing the information you wanted.Worst case? It's not only the wrong site, but now you have unwanted content on your screen. Alarmed, confused, annoyed, or mildly inconvenienced, you retreat.
You return to search results. Perhaps you followed a "sponsored link" (an ad) or simply reached "the wrong site."
Plodding Along...
You continue sifting through the results. Perhaps you alter your keywords, develop a new search strategy, or use another search engine entirely. If that works, then that's wonderful! Well done!But what if it doesn't? What if, after several honest attempts, your search continues to fail?
Not Finding It
You want to find something but you aren't finding it. Let's assume you already understand that not all information is on the Internet. We will also assume you have a fair amount of experience with search engines in general. You have found websites in the past with minimal effort, but not this time around.That the Internet grows and changes every second, that search engines generally can "see" only a relatively small percentage of that information, that you do not have time to search indefinitely - these factors converge at one simple fact: you could use a little help.
That's where libraries come in, and we're happy to tell you there are better ways to find what you need!
Reconsidering Your Search Strategy (or Lack of One)
Let's reconsider why you searched the Web instead of checking somewhere else. Here are some possibilities, among others which might have prompted you to search online:- You thought it would be easy.
- You thought it would be fast.
- You believed you could find all the information you needed online.
- You could not get to your local library.
- You could get to your local library but did not know or believe they could assist you.
A Few Good Questions
Here are some basic yet important questions worth considering:- What are you looking for, really?
- What kind of information do you need, and can it actually be found online?
- How much information do you hope to find? How complete and comprehensive does it need to be?
- How much do you value or question the authority behind the information you encounter?
- Would it matter if "just anyone" provided the information you seek, or would you prefer an expert or qualified person to tell you what you want to know?
- How current should the information be? Is it acceptable for it to be months to years old?
- Does your life or future depend, in some way, on the information you are looking for?
- Why would you waste time looking for something that was already found?
Already found? That's right! Middletown Thrall Library has, for many years now, conducted countless Web, database, newspaper, and other searches for information of all kinds.
We know searching, how difficult it can be--even when we know where exactly to look!
And we completely empathize with you as a researcher in this modern age of information overload.
We know you would likely prefer to spend your research time working with the information you want to use with rather than sifting through irrelevant search results. Search engines can be used more effectively (see our handout Search Smarter, Better), but they are just one of many tools available to you!
You Have Options!
You're not limited to searching. You can ask a librarian. And you can inquire about or browse our library's collections.We invite you to start at our library--or any public library--and see for yourself how much time librarians can save you.