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LIBRARY NEWS <br /> 1 <br /> TIPS FOR EVALUATING INFORMATION ON THE WEB <br /> BY KATHY KELLY, HEAD REFERENCE LIBRARIAN <br /> We all love "Googling" our questions and finding the biases of the publishing entity. Check the Web page author's <br /> wealth of information available on the Internet. credentials on this subject.Anyone can publish on the Web, <br /> Students use the Web to do school research. Others look up where information is unmonitored.The author's background, <br /> health information after a diagnosis from institutional affiliation, title, and address should be avail- <br /> "" 1' their doctor. Investors look for help mak- able, and you should be able to verify this information. Look <br /> �_ ing financial decisions.Fitness plans and for additional links.Are the sites reputable or even real? Do <br /> .: -.-, diet information are easily found.The they work? Did you find this page by linking from a trusted <br /> w Arai immediate availability of this information source? <br /> I 11 <br /> gives us the tools to cope with issues in Internet search engines and databases that the Library <br /> p g d the d y <br /> our busy lives. However,just as you check Consumer Reports subscribes to both offer a wealth of information but differ in <br /> or other guides before making purchases,you need to evalu- several ways. Search engines look for information in a variety <br /> ate Web information before taking it to heart or acting on of ways, and it is not always clear what these are. <br /> it. Many pages you find from a general search engine such as tb Search engines may give top space in their results <br /> Google are self-published or published by commercial enter- to advertisers. Databases include an explanation <br /> prises. It is important not to accept everything at face value. of the arrangement of their results,which is <br /> Start by looking at the URL. Check the domain to see if often a chronological listing. <br /> the information comes from an educational (.edu), nonprofit Search engines search some but not all of the <br /> (.org), commercial (e.g., .com, .net), government(.gov), or Worldwide Web. Databases search information <br /> foreign source, and be sure it is appropriate for your use.The that has been published in a given list of publica- <br /> publisher is the agency or person operating the server com- tions. <br /> puter and is usually named in the first portion of the URL. Search engines often return thousands of pages <br /> For example, the URLs www.morningstar.com or www.nci. for you to wade through. Database companies <br /> nih.gov indicate that the information comes from Morning- employ professional indexers who use subject <br /> star or the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National headings and standard terminology to make <br /> Institutes of Health (NIH). Is this organization suitable for searching more accurate and specific. <br /> addressing your topic? Is it recognized in this field of study? With Internet service from your home computer,you can <br /> Would information from this source likely be biased? If the access most Louisville Library databases at no charge. <br /> URL contains a personal name following a tilde (-), there is Today, information is available from many sources. In <br /> no source other than this person vouching for the contents. doing research on any topic, the main point to remember is <br /> Check the Web page itself to see links such as"About never to use information that you cannot verify. Learn to be a <br /> this site," or"About us," or"Our sponsors," or"Philosophy." critical consumer of information in all forms. <br /> These will give you additional insight into the goals and <br /> HOMEWORK CENTER CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS <br /> VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AVAILABLE ON THE WEB <br /> he Youth Services Department needs volunteers for <br /> the Homework Center.We are looking for adults or D on't forget to check the Library Web site to view <br /> photos of daily and weekly construction site <br /> high school students who are available • <br /> from 3:00-5:00 PM one day per week, ;'1 activity and progress. <br /> Monday through Thursday, beginning There is a link on the Library <br /> September 6. 4c, home page at www.ci.louisville• s <br /> Volunteers are asked to monitor co.us/library. The photos can irr■ss.sc.z..... .,students and guide them in completing their assignments.We also be accessed from the Library_ � J <br /> are particularly interested in volunteers with skill in math- Construction link on the City's P Y tY �` <br /> ematics. home page. <br /> Please contact the Youth Services desk at 303.335.4821 if <br /> ou would like to volunteer. <br /> August/September 2005 5 <br />