How scholars work: Panning for gold in libraries

Today's scholar is connected closely with other scholars and spends much time reading. The time spent searching is integrated into the research process, so it is hardly identified as separate. Today's scholars spends most of their time reading, then digging, then reading some more. They browse online and in libraries to find material to read. They travel to libraries and archives to find hidden treasures to read. For the humanists, libraries are places to have access to books and journals. For social scientists, libraries are purveyors of the data they need - journals and databases with current or archived data. Both the humanist and the social scientist use a wide array of sources and resources and cannot verbalize the search strategy. They are digging for the gold that is the published word. They are reading to write, and writing leads to more reading.