There's Much More to Search & Discovery than Google
Jinfo Blog

By Lynn Strand

Abstract

Co-producer of the Research Focus "Source Expertise - What It Means in a Google World", Lynn Strand, highlights articles and reviews exploring what sets information professionals apart from Google.

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The Jinfo Research Focus, "Source Expertise - What It Means in a Google World", is bringing together search experts to share their tools, experience and products that they use in our increasingly "Google-ified" world.

Google is quickly becoming an action verb... it is now practically synonymous with the word "search". I've actually trained my kids to say "librarian it" instead of "Google it". It's important to me that they realise there is much more to the search and discovery function than just Google.

Using a wide array of tools and products when researching is a hallmark of information professionals' skills and expertise. It is what sets us apart from Google. We have the power to go further than Google and the power to get ahead of Google. 

Going Beyond a Simple Internet Search

In our Research Focus, we are reviewing some great tools and products that go beyond what a simple internet search can return:

• ProQuest Summon is subject to in-depth study by Scott Vine

• Scott also provides a great explanation of the differences between federated search and discovery

• We've started publishing a product review of Northern Light's SinglePoint portal.

Watch out for the webinars that are coming up and book your place to reserve your seat:

• 24th May: "Balancing 'Generalist' and 'Specialist' Expertise" will focus on how to provide the best mix of skills which build capacity for workload management and specialists who can offer internal customers the kind of service not otherwise available

• 21st June: "Three Ways to Influence Strategy with Source Expertise" will deal with the importance of supplying your knowledge and supporting the company at strategic level by providing useful insights.

Articles and reviews coming soon in the Focus:

• Market Landscape - Discovery Systems
• Market Landscape - Enquiry Systems
• Product Review of Primo Ex Libris 
• Watch for more articles on building your skill set as an "internal consultant" in your organisation
• We are also looking forward to upcoming articles on big data and some of the perils of relying on just one search discovery tool.

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