Google in the library
August 16, 2004
RESOURCE SHELF -- In the September 2004 Playboy, Larry Page acknowledges that libraries are more than about out-of-date information. He realises that smart librarians decide what to purchase, what to include in a web collection and what to get rid of. Collection development and judging info quality are important skills for a librarian. Libraries also provide access (in many cases for free) to databases and other electronic tools containing fresh information--often more current data than offered by Google.
It's important to give librarians more credit than they get in the Google interview with Playboy. Librarians have been using online information, building products to make access possible, and digitizing material long before Google and the web. Google is merely one tool available in a good library. Even though many visitors to a library start their research with Google.
It's also important to credit libraries for holding the line against the BSA, MPAA, and RIAA. The American Library Association is distributing its own balanced material to classrooms concerning copyright. The material will deal with insignificant and oft-overlooked details like fair use.
Resource Shelf -- "Google, Playboy and Libraries"
SEC -- Google interview in Playboy
Slashdot -- "Librarians to the rescue"
Katie Dean -- "Librarians to the rescue"
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