©ollectanea

University of Michigan is making a 5 page description of "Google Book Search Tips available on their website. Pretty amazing on several levels.

The first thing that struck me was the subject of the book search UMich uses to illustrate book search: texas longhorns. Of course the results are about Texas also, but it's rich and famous Texans and the fabulous fortunes they've won and lost. Hmmm.

Aside from that chuckle, at least for me, the document is really helpful as it shows in detail what features the book search provides, how to use it to best advantage, and if you're at UMich, how to double-check your results against Michigan's catalog, Mirlyn. I want to say right now that I think this is a really good thing. I've heard so many people say things that indicate that there's a lot of misunderstanding about what Google Book Search does and how it works. So clearly, this is needed and kudos to UMich for doing it, but...

The tips then go on to discuss searching for journal titles. Here it gets really complicated and this is where I suspect a lot of eyes will glaze over. Mine did. This explanation encapsulates a classic library search problem. If searching a library resource through a library database or catalog is so complicated that it takes 5 pages to explain how to do it effectively, well, you know you're going to lose a whole lot of your audience. I know, I know, you're thinking, "but there's so much good information you can find through these complex, complicated, difficult search interfaces that take 5 pages to explain." UT is rumoured to have 28 pages of explanation for how to use our new search interface. Sorry my alma mater, and beloved employer, but I've never confirmed this rumour. It's probably one of those tall Texas tales, but I can't even go look at something that might take that long to explain. I know it's not our fault. It's the product we have, one of the best we can get. But, well, we know this is a problem, don't we?

So, how could it be that Google, known for ease of use, practically identified with quick, simple, uncluttered search with amazing success (success being defined as "good enough for government work" -- ironic isn't it?), could have a search feature, now that it's gotten into books, that takes 5 pages to explain?

I always sigh when I think about how cool Google-think is, the culture of creativity and get it done, all that, and how I wish for us a little more of that culture. Now they are becoming more like us (even if only in a small way)? Is this really a good move? Are books and journals just too complicated to search simply?