Reaching Out: Ask A Librarian and KnowItNow.org

If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn’t be called research. ~Albert Einstein

Comparing Experiences

When I started my search for information, I had a destination—I needed to write that paper. Along the way, I hoped to find information that would be professionally useful, which I might even apply to my job in the high school library. I wanted a strategy for working within the confines of school Internet filters. But ultimately, I wanted to finish the assignment efficiently and proficiently.

With these goals, I started with tried-and-true search techniques. Basically, I did what I always do. When reflecting at the end of the Information Awareness Report, I knew that I sacrificed depth and quality in my harried pursuit to answer my questions. I got the job done, but after chatting with the reference professionals at Ask A Librarian and KnowItNow.org, I realize I could have gotten the job done better without sacrificing and perhaps even increasing my efficiency. I had settled for good enough before enough was enough.

Each professional asked me what I had already tried. From there, I asked specifically for information on editorials, journals, and websites relating to my topic. The information I received was new to me and relevant. Check out my results by going to my Delicious account and searching the tag Asked.for.help. In addition, I had human interaction while researching. The help was friendly, and I enjoyed sharing the experience. Optimal learning is not isolated but collaborated.

Critical Analysis: Ask A Librarian at Kent State University

This conversation took fifteen minutes on a Thursday afternoon. However, the first time I logged on to chat within the Kent State site, the chat box is small, and it was difficult to scroll through the chat. The librarian suggested I could enlarge the box, but I could not get it. The reference person provided a web site from ALA that I had not used. I was too frustrated with the chat box, and I closed the chat. Then I initiated the inquiry again through Google chat, and it was much easier.

This next reference worker asked what I had tried. After five minutes, she suggested two online journals from Library Journal.com and offered instructions on how to search and which terms to use. I found three good articles on the legalities of the issue that I had not considered, and these were editorial in nature.

After the chat, I was given a transcript via email. I appreciate the transcript because it allowed me to review and make sure I had bookmarked every site and followed every lead. The chat was quick, which has not always been my experience with chat formats. The reference worker was fast and friendly, and I felt as if my search was enhanced.

Critical Analysis: KnowItNow.org

I began my search on a Thursday afternoon. I tried four times over the course of three hours to initiate a request. The message each time said I was first in the queue, but I never received a response. After the third attempt, I left a message inquiring why I could not get through. I received an email several hours later that said they are sometimes too busy, but that does not mesh with the indication I was first in queue. Finally, on my fifth attempt, I was introduced to Amanda in Defiance.

Amanda was friendly. She liked my topic. She was impressed with what I had done so far. Our conversation lasted twenty minutes, and she kept corresponding with me as she worked. Right away, she suggested the National Center For Education and Statistics. I had never heard of such a site, and my initial Google search did not lead me there. It's an outstanding government site!

Amanda continued by offering search terms that were working for her as she was perusing the site. There were articles and studies with statistics. I was impressed. Next, she recommended two library blogs with posts on the topic. This is my favorite and worth it just for the laugh:

I asked Amanda for help with databases. I wanted to know which journals would be helpful and how to find them. I have used Kent State databases, but I wanted her opinion and insight. I told her where I went to school, and she went to Kent's library site and recommended several databases, including Library Literature and Information Sciences Full-Text. Then, she gave me instructions on how to access them. I was also provided a transcript of this conversation via email. Despite the difficulty in connecting, I left this encounter knowing more and feeling more confident.

Conclusion

I have only used an online librarian one time before, but this was more in-depth. I truly believe--

• I will use these services again.
• I will show them to my students.
• This is not a time-consuming or cumbersome strategy.
• The strategy could work equally well at the beginning, middle, or end of a search.
• Humans can make great search engines.