[LM_NET] Federated searching vs. the actual databases

[Paula Yohe <paula_yohe@YAHOO.COM>]

An interesting discussion came up at a meeting the other day -- and I was 
interested in hearing a variety of view points.

Federated searching does not give the results of searching the actual database 
itself. 

Is this good or bad?
The average patron (whether a student or teacher) wants results fast and quick.

Is it more important to have them see a variety of results quickly?
As opposed to having them search a variety of databases that may or may not have 
the same search interface?

How much time does a teacher or student have to search a multitude of databases?

Are there enough media specialists that can actually sit down with every teacher 
and student to help them find what they are looking for? (And I don't mean that as 
a criticism --
I mean if there are 50 kids in the media center looking for info -- you just can't 
get to every single one and ask them exactly what they want and then steer them to 
the correct database.


Are we creating too much confusion for our users by providing multiple databases 
that they have to go to and search each one?
or are we better off using a federated search engine that may not give as in depth 
results?

Should we be pushing the vendors to make federated search products more robust?

Let's face it -- most of our patrons go straight to Google -
why it is easy --

and gives them a bunch of results ---
are they good results? maybe - maybe not

so are we better off to get them to use a federated search engine -- that at least 
gives them access to good databases that you know are good information? or try to 
force them to learn all of the various databases we have -- to be sure we give them 
the "best" results

I am intersted in hearing what others think.

Thanks
Paula


Paula Yohe
Director Of Technology/Library Media Center
Dillon School District Two
405 West Washington Street
Dillon, SC 29536
Phone: 843-841-3604 Fax:843-774-1214
paula_yohe@yahoo.com


      

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