Insane Information Filtering
Everyone knows that it can be a challenge to find authoritative resources on the Web. Unlike a library, where resources have already been filtered so that users can trust them, the web puts responsibility for judging authoritativness on the users’ shoulders. But at Brigham Young-Idaho, the library is just cutting out access to search engines altogether. This is taken from the library website.
* Every computer in the McKay Library can access any website so
long as it is not filtered or is not a search engine. Simply type the
URL in the address box.
* To use a search engine, such as Google, you must use a computer
near the 1st floor Reference Desk. Ask at the desk if you need
assistance. We recognize that the web can be a valuable source of
information, so we have a few computers where search engines may be
used. Rarely are these work stations unavailable.
* Surfing the web for quality information takes a lot of time. The
Library has about 500 computers, but there are more than 11,000 students
on campus. Because of the scarcity of reliable research information on
the web, and the time it takes to find it, most students would have a
difficult time finding an open computer if search engines were allowed
on them.
* Part of the Library’s mission is to help students find
authoritative, research-quality information. To accomplish this goal we
subscribe to more than 100 full-text databases that can quickly and
efficiently provide the resources you need.
This is ludicrous. Google and other search engines are excellent SUPPLEMENTARY tools for academic databases. I realize that there is a lot of junk on the web, but Google affords patrons a quick search for particular sources (e.g. I love LexisNexis, however, Google is much faster for current news article searches). Sucks to be a BYU student…
I feel sorry for BYU students anyway…not even taking this into account!
my little sisters crazy ass friend, who would rather pretend to be mormon than deal w/ the fact that she’s a lesbian, goes to this school.
they’re also not allowed to have regular cable tv in their dorm rooms.