So while ChunkIt! may have some useful applications for search engines that offer no useful features for search refinement, it may not work as well for library databases that do offer a nice range of methods for students that do need to quickly move from very broad to more narrow results.

What works in the rest of the world will get applied to library services whether we like it or not. If ChunkIt takes off and becomes a ubiquitous tool in our users browsers, they will most likely turn to it rather than using any tool-specific functions — no matter how good those tool-specific functions are. Our challenge, it would seem to be, would be to feed information to ChunkIt’s tool (again if ChunkIt gets a deep enough penetration) in such a way as to maximize ChunkIt’s ability to return good results to our users.

I agree with you wholeheartedly that this reflects a need for more user education. I would like to add something you touched on, which is that this also brings up the issue of student perceptions of the library.

I recognize that many students don’t know about the great search options in many databases, but, my broader concern is that the students don’t even realize that they don’t know that better searching exists. If someone is ignorant of their ignorance (even if it’s through no fault of their own), how would they know to ask a librarian to begin with? I have tried to use every “teachable moment” opportunity that I have with a student – as I’m sure others do, but I still feel it isn’t enough.

I think there is a great deal of publicity and outreach that can be done to help students see how the library – and, even better, the librarians – can help them. Of course, even as I type that, I will admit that more publicity and outreach may not fully address the issue either, as I can see that better user-centered design is another avenue with so much potential. I’m sure others can think of more than I can.

I’m not saying I know the answer. I’m just saying that, while user education will go a long way (and I am perfectly willing to do as much of that as I can), I don’t know if user education is enough to change public perception if we can’t get someone to ask a librarian – or even visit the instruction materials we provide on our sites – so that we can begin to educate them.

I wanted to add this because this is a frustration I have felt for a while, and your post made me want to step on the soapbox for a minute. I’ll step off now. Thanks to those who listened.

Thank you for sharing this. I even signed up for the Beta account to try this out since I’m an inquisitive librarian as well.