Information Research: an international electronic journal

Information Research is one of the premier Open Access journals covering Information and LIS subjects. The January issue includes, among a wide diversity of topics, several papers about the information needs and behaviors of various groups: a paper by Paulina Junni looks at the role of the internet in the information seeking behaviors of Master's candidates; Zahed Bigdeli examines the information habits and needs of Iranian Engineers; and Eric M. Meyers, Lisa P. Nathan, and Matthew L. Saxton study the "Barriers to information seeking in school libraries."

IR was one of the early adopters of the electronic format, growing out of the print publication Information Research News. Editor Tom Wilson has been publishing IR electronically since 1995, starting from a three-paper "trial issue" in April of that year. The journal is now in its 12th year and going strong!

Hawksworth's guide to search engines

Scott Hawksworth at Degree Tutor has written the Librarian's Ultimate Guide to Search Engines. He says:

I feel that it is a helpful starting point for anyone -- librarian, professor, or student -- wanting to get a lot more out of web search.

The article includes a glossary along with an overview of the most popular search engines and some of the new Web 2.0 engines.

LIS top 25 for 2007

Von Totanes, Filipino Librarian and member of this journal's Editorial Board, reports that, at least according to one expert, librarianship has a bright future:

According to "Get-Ahead Careers for 2007" by Marty Nemko (U.S.News & World Report, 18 December 2006), "Even though anybody can do a Google search, for instance, librarians will be needed more and more to help us navigate all that digital information."

The article lists Librarian as one of the top 25 careers for 2007. Compared to other careers on the list, it is one of the lowest paid, but it is given an "A" for Quality of Life (and a "C" for Prestige). Architect, by comparison, has a slightly lower median salary and only a "B" for Quality of Life (though an "A" for Prestige).

December Poll results

Our December Poll closed with a total of 245 votes. Final results:

42% thought the quality varies, but online courses can be good;
25% have never experienced an online course;
21% thought online courses are usually just as good; and
12% thought they are almost never beneficial

Our January Poll asks:

When asked to provide patron information to the FBI, librarians should:

A. Never provide it -- it violates patron confidentiality

B. Sometimes provide it -- it depends on the reason for the request

C. Always provide it -- it's the law and they wouldn't ask if it wasn't import

D. Provide it, but violate the gag order

You can join the discussion on either topic at our community forum discussion board.