I’m also not 100% sure of how this was said at the Unconference – I think it might have been presented as a quote of someone else, so I don’t know the original context, but it seemed like people took it at face value, and I don’t remember anyone challenging it. But whatever the exact wording was I definitely remember reacting to it.

What I don’t get is that fundamentally as librarians we (are supposed to) recognise that different info needs, contexts, subject areas etc dictate the use of different search strategies, tools, info sources, evaluation of results etc. And we then have the opportunity to help users understand this and teach them the skills to make their own decisions about what constitutes good information and good information sources for their needs.

But are we only OK with this within the bounds of our own collections? Step outside of that and we’re happy to (terrified not to?) support blanket dismissals of amazingly useful info sources? I find this attitude sooo frustrating and I think it damages our credibility.