The Infodiet

This article, written by Steven Bell, relates very closely to the current education that our class is receiving in our library class. Bell writes on the availability of information to college aged students, and how they find information for not only school research but every day life questions. When one asks another a question about something and their peer does not know the answer, typically they will say, “Google it!” This is the issues that Bell writes on, and he humorously relates all the issues to fast food. Students want quick fast answers. So, instead of doing a well though out and extensively researched paper for school, students use Google for their resources. The library pays thousands of dollars every year for subscriptions to journals so they are available for students. Most students do not take advantage of these resources simply because it is too difficult to utilize the libraries resources. Once again students want quick easy answers. The problem with a Google search is referenced as “Infobesity.” Google results are broad and not trust worthy like the scholarly academic information that you will find in the library.
I feel that it is true that if the library research process was easier than more students would use the library. Although, I agree with some of what Bell writes that students working on research papers should be well though out and should not be easy. Students need to learn how to research and work hard. On the other hand for every day answers to just about anything, it is hard to go wrong with just “Google it!”