Going beyond Google: The Invisible Web in Learning and Teaching

Citation

Cloete, L. (2009), "Going beyond Google: The Invisible Web in Learning and Teaching", Online Information Review, Vol. 33 No. 5, pp. 1010-1011. https://doi.org/10.1108/14684520911001990

The deep web or invisible web refers to all the information available on the web that cannot be found by using general‐purpose search engines. Librarians and other information specialists are mostly aware of the fact that the invisible web is estimated at 500 times the size of the visible web and that search engines only retrieve about 25 per cent of the information available on the web. Whilst specialists are skilled in searching the invisible web and retrieving relevant information sources, the average library user is oblivious of the wealth of information available via the invisible web. Such users believe that the web is fully accessible via the general‐purpose search engines, and that what they do not retrieve on the visible web does not exist. The purpose of this book is to introduce the invisible web and demonstrate how students, library users and researchers should be taught to utilise it.

The book is divided into three parts and seven chapters. Part 1 explains the division between the visible web and invisible web. Some of the aspects include the characteristics of the invisible web, the relationship between search engines and the invisible web and the use of the web for research. Part 2 addresses finding and utilising the contents of the invisible web. The focus is on teaching students about the invisible web, internet search strategies and tools for searching the invisible web. The chapter on tools provides useful links to general subject directories, databases and specialised search engines. The myth that all information accessible via the web is free is also dealt with by emphasising the importance of subscription databases. Part 3 explores how the gap between the visible and invisible web is being narrowed by general‐purpose search engines, next‐generation library catalogues and other initiatives.

The book does not provide in‐depth guidance for searching, but serves more as a guideline and reference source about the invisible web. It is also by no means exhaustive in its coverage of sources on the invisible web. Appendix A provides a list of selected additional readings for those who wish to pursue the invisible web in more depth. Chapters also include references that can serve as lists for further reading.

The book is particularly aimed at librarians and teaching staff involved in information literacy education and training. The emphasis is on the searching habits of students, library instruction and techniques for teaching the invisible web. Appendix B provides a list of tools for teaching the invisible web. These tools include audio and video materials, tutorials, guides and blogs. Most users of the web should find valuable references, facts and practical suggestions in this book. The book is written in an easy‐to‐follow style and on a level accessible to a wide audience. Going Beyond Google: The Invisible Web in Learning and Teaching is a timely publication reminding us all that there exists a wide world of information sources available at our fingertips.