Critical Mistakes

Today I was given free range to choose any database in order to explore the "unknown” and write of my discoveries. Although I just recently promoted the "Literature Resource Center" I could barely help myself when I saw the "Salem Press Literature" database. At 11am I have Dr. de Rosset's class—hence upon arrival for today’s volunteer time, being seeped in T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” I was on a “literary” kick. Doing as most patrons/browsers do, I just clicked on the link—and dove into the depths of Salem Press Literature. Trying to find more information about T.S. Eliot I was clicking on the Authors tab and my search would come up empty! I clicked on the “About” section and read how recently a critical insight of T.S. Eliot had just been added to the “Salem Press Literature” database collection. Yet this so called “T.S. Eliot” insight was nowhere to be found—how insightful! hahaha

Frustrated as all get out, I decided to go back to the original link on the eResources for the Chicago campus. I then read the blurb ABOUT Salem Literature—which I should have done before even entering the unknown world of Salem. 

I must state, I’m horribly embarrassed at my ignorance! The about blurb clearly states that Moody has access only to Critical Insights regarding: The Metamorphosis and Pride and Prejudice with a Critical Insight of the author Flannery O’Connor. If I had stopped and read BEFORE entering the “unknown” I wouldn’t have had to scour for something that was not even accessible! Today I learned my lesson. Before jumpin’ the gun and getting excited about a new database—STOP AND READ THE ABOUT BLURB BEFORE CLICKING THE LINK! Also, if you want to be more informed than the average browser (aka me) you could scope out the “Literary Research” libguide! Prepared by Amy Koehler and Jenny Greening this libguide gives you the knowledge to profitably peruse. In the end it all worked out, because I’m a fan of Metamorphosis and thoroughly enjoyed reading about Kafka’s upbringing and how “ordinary” his life actually was despite his bizarre stories. 

P.S. From our neighbor's @ Open Books!