[Publib] Questions not asked or Casey Controversy

[Robert L. Balliot]

Greetings,

James B. Casey , your proposed human resource review method seems highly
controversial .

Although you can find information on Google , it is based on a search
algorithm and affected by paid key words. One is determined by machine, the
other by money Mr. Jim Casey .

Librarians are supposed to consider authority, accuracy, currency, content,
bias, and coverage. It is very easy to do a "Google" search and rely on a
plethora of results, but it certainly does not determine the truth or
validate the nature of controversy . You can be sure, however, that the
results are affected by money and key words, such as controversy . 

James B. Casey , as a result of this controversial method and as a result of
this posting, your name will, ironically, will appear at the center of what
appears to be a controversy in a "Google" search .  Will you apply for
a job and a review of your name yield controversy in the future?  Should
the unqualified results of a Google search be consider? 

A Google image search could also be used to discriminate based on race
and body image, Mr. Casey . 

When I taught Internet searching in the 90's, it was always prefaced
with the understanding that the results can be extremely biased. I
hope that most librarians continue to use their skills when conducting
research.

*************************************************
Robert L. Balliot
1-401-441-5763
Skype: RBalliot
Bristol, Rhode Island
http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm
*************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of James Casey
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2007 11:19 AM
To: Sam; Pub Lib
Subject: RE: [Publib] Questions not asked

For higher level executive positions (Director, Department Head, etc.),
particularly when the candidate may be from another state, it is often
essential to do a "Google" search to learn about what issues may have
arisen in past or current jobs that may not come up during the interview
process.  If a director candidate may have been at the center of some
controversy, been dismissed or faced charges for misconduct, this kind
of information sometimes comes up in the electronic media or in out of
state papers.  Again, bad press doesn't automatically mean that the
candidate should be disqualified from consideration, but you don't want
to be "surprised" after the new person is hired or on board.  

James B. Casey --- My own views
Director -- Oak Lawn Public Library
ALA Council Member