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Even though many search engines are fast at work trying to index all of the content of the Invisible Web, one needs to never feel that their search should be limited to only using a search engine or only using Invisible Web resources. After all, search engines cannot find everything and while one has a better chance to find specific information using an Invisible Web resource, one needs to first find the Invisible Web resource they will eventually use.

Francine Egger-Sider and Jane Devine end their article, "Google, the Invisible Web, and Librarians: Slaying the Research Goliath" by saying, "It is up to information professional to keep Google vs. the Invisible Web in balance in the reference arena, using Google when it can provide a quick answer but keeping it at bay when more appropriate Web sources can be tapped through Invisible Web content."

This call for balance is something I can understand and wholly support. It also seems to be the consensus in the information community as well:

"[Google is the f]irst search engine I turn to if the Librarians' Index fails me."

- Carole Leita (Price 72)

"I want librarians to get in the habit of thinking, "If I can't find the answer with my search engine, maybe it's on the Web but hidden inside a database.'"

- Writer and internet trainer Marylaine Block (Smith 18)

"Once you've familiarized yourself with your collection, you can usually just reach for the appropriate book and find what you're looking for. The same holds true for invisible web resources. You have to build your own collection first, of course, but once you have it you'll know when to use them vs. going out on the web with a search engine."

- Chris Sherman (Smith 18)

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	Conclusions Even though many search engines are fast at work trying to index all of the content of the Invisible Web, one needs to never feel that their search should be limited to only using a search engine or only using Invisible Web resources. After all, search engines cannot find everything and while one has a better chance to find specific information using an Invisible Web resource, one needs to first find the Invisible Web resource they will eventually use. Francine Egger-Sider and Jane Devine end their article, "Google, the Invisible Web, and Librarians: Slaying the Research Goliath" by saying, "It is up to information professional to keep Google vs. the Invisible Web in balance in the reference arena, using Google when it can provide a quick answer but keeping it at bay when more appropriate Web sources can be tapped through Invisible Web content." This call for balance is something I can understand and wholly support. It also seems to be the consensus in the information community as well: "[Google is the f]irst search engine I turn to if the Librarians' Index fails me." - Carole Leita (Price 72) "I want librarians to get in the habit of thinking, "If I can't find the answer with my search engine, maybe it's on the Web but hidden inside a database.'" - Writer and internet trainer Marylaine Block (Smith 18) "Once you've familiarized yourself with your collection, you can usually just reach for the appropriate book and find what you're looking for. The same holds true for invisible web resources. You have to build your own collection first, of course, but once you have it you'll know when to use them vs. going out on the web with a search engine." - Chris Sherman (Smith 18) Previous Page / References Back to Homepage

Conclusions