Librarian's Guide to Online Searching

by Suzanne S. Bell

To succeed as searchers, all librarians require both a basic idea of how databases are put together, and a repository of concepts and techniques to draw upon. With such essentials well in hand, the searcher can plunge into almost any database that comes along and master its intricacies (and idiosyncrasies) in relatively short order. Bell's conversational style, coupled with her Searcher's Toolbox, promises increased flexibility and adaptability. This book will prove a handy guide for librarians in every conceivable information environment and across all levels of experience.

Genres: Nonfiction, Library Science, Reference, School, Textbooks, Librarianship, Research

288 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2006

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This edition is well written and the author succeeds in keeping the content lively with a number of humorous insights. Unfortunately this type of book suffers from two unavoidable weaknesses. First, the content becomes dated quickly, and after only three years many of the database descriptions are now far removed from reality. By all means skip this edition and head straight for the third edition released in April 2012.

Second, unless you work for a very large and well funded academic library, you won't have access to many of the databases described in this book. It might be worthwhile to browse the table of contents before buying to predict how much of the book will be relevant to you. The chapters on general search strategies, database evaluations, and bibliographic instruction are useful, but you can find the same discussions in other general library science textbooks.

Assigned for the course SLIS 5615 - Electronic Databases and Information Services.

[Librarian Jessie (BibliophileRoses) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of the three textbooks I read this semester, this one was by far my favorite. Everything was extremely easy to comprehend, and some of it was knowledge I has previously acquired. In addition, it provided informative information on websites often accessed by librarians and scholars, and the best ways to utilize them for exact and quick results. I believe that this textbook will be one I hold dear within my future degree for years to come.

[Maryposa · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I'm going to spend 3 months of my life getting through this damn thing, I'm at least going to make sure it's counted in my reading challenge. I think I fully understood approximately two chapters.

[Genesee Rickel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful! I was able to easily follow along with the examples and often found myself discussing the content with colleagues. My class isn’t done but we are now through this book. I imagine I’ll be referencing it from time to time going forward.

[Rachel Smalter Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I had to read an entire book on subscription library databases, well then I'm glad this one was it. It could have been much worse.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a textbook about online searching, it was much more readable than I thought it would be.

[Joan]

The other text for my Rutgers Principles of Searching course.

[Annalise Nakoneczny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was much more informative than I thought it would be. Online searching is v complicated

[Billy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written exploration of a wide variety of databases used in academic and research settings. Brown manages to inject some bits of levity into what could otherwise be very dry subject matter, making this much more readable than it might appear to students seeing it on their syllabi. Its only real weakness is that this edition (sixth) is already two years old as I write this, and some COVID-related observations are already dated due to the changing nature of the world and the field. Still, this is far and away the best textbook I've read for this master's program, though I suppose that's not a terribly high bar. Either way, I'd recommend this one.

[Tammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great guide to develop database skills. I had many AHA moments and although I wished I had read this book sooner, I am glad I read it now. It is well-written, easy to follow, the search exercises are great (because you have to apply the skills you've acquired, including the ones you just covered), and there's even an online portion which offers additional (updated) information. Overall, a great resource. Highly recommended! I would even say the recommended grade level could be as early as high school.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Librarian's Guide to Online Searching is a good textbook. The book introduces the concept of information databases. It also lists and describes current major online databases that are available. Databases can be free or they are available for pay. The majority of them are available through a university but you have to be employed or a student to use most of them. Yes, the book includes Google and Google Scholar. In fact, it lists the major benefits and limitations of each database.

A useful book.

[Annie Oosterwyk · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first couple of chapters and then found it hard going.
The section about databases and how they are constructed was very interesting. It made me question many of the resources I and my students use and whether or not they could be structured in a better way. It seems that once again, cost determines usability.
Looking at other reviews, I question whether this type of resource should be printed? Currency is so important in the tech/library field.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives really good descriptions of databases that users can follow along with. However, if your library doesn't own that particular edition of the database then it can be confusing as to what the author is saying. This was a textbook for one of my library science classes but the exercises in the book need to be updated or helped because some can be confusing or boring.

[Laura Buller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great informational and tutorial text. This provides examples which are current and also demonstrates proper software and digital follow-through for online searches. There are many exercises and questions for practice, covering all the libraries. The updated screenshots help tremendously in understanding where to place information and how to find it as well.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly explains the different types of databases and provides practical advise for using them and helping patrons with reference questions. Enjoyed her style of writing. Easy to read and understand.

[Scott McCord · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good librarian book. Very good researcher's book. It might be dated in a year or so, if it does not get updated. But it will probably go into another edition before I finish this review. And that will be good.

[Heather Bolwar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bell's writing style was such that her textbook was not dry. I found the required chapters to be engaging and I feel that I learned more from Bell's text than I did the other two required texts for the same course.

[Mia]

Only recommended if you're going to "library school" otherwise it's a bit dry. ;)

[Robin]

I used this book some in one of my classes, and would not use it again. I will not be finishing this one any time soon, and would recommend finding a more current and dynamic text.

[Larry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only read a couple of chapters. I don't really care for when a professor requires you to buy a book then ignores it.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't actually finish this, since it was due back, and in any case I wasn't learning much that was a revelation to me. The first chapters were a good introduction to databases, though.

[Muhammad Siregar · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice book

[Kandrea Cheney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an important tool for all librarians to have on hand!

[Melber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed but good refresher on how to do online searches, how to conduct good reference interviews to point students or patrons to the right resource, and how to prepare for class instruction.

[Melanie Kilsby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clear and helpful.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some typesetting/factual errors, but it was clearly a well-organized practical resource for librarians.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

the reason i added the "school" shelf.

[Michal · Rating 4 out of 5]

mehh...read it for my masters and it was okay

[Cathy Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

For Online Searching course