Google Generation

A study out of Great Britain concerning the “Google Generation” or the young people growing up in the Internet age shows that we should be involved with training skills for information use. The study found that although young people are very familiar and comfortable with computers they show only basic search skills and lack the analytical skill to use this information. Further the traits common for younger users including impatience in searching and zero tolerance for delays in the necessary information is now common for all age groups.
Dr Malcolm Read, Executive Secretary of JISC, welcomed the publication of the report, saying: “These findings add to our growing understanding of subjects that should concern all who work in further and higher education – the changing needs of our students and researchers and how libraries can meet their needs. We hope that this report will encourage debate around these important questions. We hope it will also serve to remind us all that students and researchers will continue to need the appropriate skills and training to help navigate an increasingly diverse and complex information landscape” (Pothen).
This is a concern that we should have for all users that we serve. We must disseminate knowledge and skills to everyone that we can reach about the wonders and dangers of information available online and from all sources. Search skills and teaching users how to utilize what they find should be a high priority.

Pothen, P. (2008, January 16). Google generation is a myth, says new research. Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC). Retrieved February 16, 2008, from http://www.jisc.ac.uk/news/stories/2008/01/googlegen.aspx

Disseminating Information to Others in Our Profession

Disseminating information includes sharing among fellow professionals as well as to seek ways to share with our users. I have started a Links to Check Out and my first link is to http://www.resourceshelf.com.

“Welcome to ResourceShelf, where dedicated librarians and researchers share the results of their directed (and occasionally quirky) web searches for resources and information.”

Explore this site if you can which provides descriptions and links to various sites. A sample of the resources: under Resources—Arts and Humanities, which would be relevant to February's Black History Month, Black College History goes Online

"Documents dating back to the early 19th-century about historically black colleges can be viewed online thanks to a new digital collection available to the public. The site includes campus charters, student yearbooks, campus architectural drawings, and photographs from 10 historically black institutions".