SSDT: Google as a Librarian

In our Same Stuff, Different Tools (SSDT) series, we’ll start where most people start — Google.

I remember decades ago when we had a question, we’d call the librarian. Of course, there was no Google, no Barnes & Noble, and Dave Taylor wasn’t taking questions yet.

We’d ask the librarian our question, and often they would ask a question back — just trying to be clear about our question. We’d be put on hold a few minutes and presto! Our question was answered.

Today, we often go to Google for these questions. The answers come quicker — but only if we’re clear and specific with our questions.

When I do a Google search, the first place my eyes go on the results page is how many results appear:

If there are more than six figures, I need a more specific query. Let’s try it:

Much better!

There are other ‘thin-slice’ muscles we can build to make sure we get great information from the results Google provides — and we’ll go over some of those in future posts — but for now, know that Google is more than a "search engine." In fact, Google can be a "find engine" if you know how to change your Google inquiry.

Related Posts Elsewhere:
– How to Get Better Google Search Results
– 50 Awesome Searches Every Librarian Should Know About

#SSDT

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