Similar names don't always have to be overlapping geographically for
confusion to occur. For example, when I was hired at Hamline University
Law School in 1996, I wanted to update my profile in West's Legal
Directory. It turns out that there is a lawyer named Nicholas Bryan
Carson who spells his name the same way I do (with a y). And where did
he practice? In Hamlin, West Virginia!
There is a possibility of confusion even if the subjects are not in the
same geographic area. I could easily see someone who heard second-hand
that I was at "Hamline" but not knowing the details doing a search and
finding this lawyer in Hamlin. (Especially since most people who are not
familiar with Hamline University may not know that it has an e at the end.)
Incidentally, I just did a Google search. Nicholas Bryan Carson is still
practicing in Hamlin, West Virginia.
That doesn't even begin the process. I was an electronic resources
librarian at New York Public Library, and my title at Hamline was
"Reference & Computer Services Librarian." Just Google +bryan +carson
+librarian, and the third hit will be Bryan P. Carson, the electronic
resources librarian at Middlebury College.
Bryan (middle initial M.) Carson
(From Western Kentucky University, NOT Middlebury College)
Bryan M. Carson, J.D., M.I.L.S.
Ed.D. Student
Higher Ed. Leadership & Policy, Vanderbilt University/Peabody College
Associate Professor/Coordinator of Reference & Instructional Services
Western Kentucky University Libraries
Author, "The Law of Libraries and Archives" (Scarecrow Press)
Phone: 270-745-5007 (Office), 270-991-7144 (cell)
Fax: 270-745-2275
bryan.m.carson@vanderbilt.edu - bryan.carson@wku.edu
All original content copyright 2008 Bryan M. Carson
Heather_Phillips@LB9.uscourts.gov wrote:
> In addition to that, there is always the complication posed by common
> names. Case in point: my brother was evidently bored one day and decided
> to Google my name. He discovered that there are quite a number of people
> who share my name -- including a realtors, a dancer, a graphic design
> artist, and (most memorably), a stunt woman and actress who has worked in
> movies such as "Bikini Bandits go to Hell".
>
> Now, while this example is a bit extreme -- I doubt that anyone would
> mistake me for a "bikini bandit" -- more subtle forms of confusion among
> people with the same or similar names could easily occur. And while most
> librarians are careful about provenance and the authenticity of
> information, it still isn't hard to imagine someone being credited with
> involvement in their namesake's controversial hobby, committee or project
> -- especially if other information (such as geographical location) also
> seems to overlap.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "Karen Mahnk" <kmahnk@gmail.com>
> Sent by: owner-law-lib@ucdavis.edu
> 07/31/2008 06:54 PM
>
> To
> "Hill, Byron C." <BHill@bowditch.com>
> cc
> law-lib@ucdavis.edu
> Subject
> [LAW-LIB:56253] Re: Researching background information on job applicants
> ...
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi Byron;
> Using general Internet places such as Facebook, etc. are good "getting to
> know you" adjunct tools for obtaining very, "lite" information about an
> individual, such as what organizations the subject may be a member
> of(hobbies, etc.). I stress may* because much of this sort of data is
> often unconfirmed and not always accurate - pparticularly so for common
> named subjects but also for data found on unique named individuals in this
> age of cyber-revenge, as well as attempts at anonymity.
> All internet data should be confirmed with original "official"
> supporting, quality data. For example, if a blog named an individual as
> ie. having been arrested, that could be confirmed with first hand sources
> such as local clerk records.
> I have had great success using Internet sources that were very good
> "leads" /or starting points for finding more confirmed data.
> However, I would think relying on any unofficial, Internet sources -
> especially negative issues, *could be a potential liability if it was
> found that an employer used the Internet as standard practice to screen
> applicants in any way.
>
> Karen Mahnk,
> Reference Librarian
> Lake Park Public Library
> 529 Park Avenue
> Lake Park, Fl., 33403
> 561 881-3330 Fax: 561881-3336
> kmahnk@lakeparkflorida.gov
> www.lakepark-fl.gov
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 12:00 PM, Hill, Byron C. <BHill@bowditch.com>
> wrote:
>
> I am seeking suggestions, advice, warnings, etc. on using Internet
> sites to search for information on job applicants. While we would
> continue to use a third-party service to do in-depth background checks
> when advisable, I'm wondering if searches of Google, Facebook, MySpace,
> etc. are being used as hiring tools. I understand the shortcomings of
> all these sites, but would be interested in hearing anyone's experiences
> and suggestions. Thank you.
> Byron
> Byron Hill, Librarian
> Bowditch & Dewey, LLP
> Worcester - Framingham - Boston, MA
> TEL: 508-926-3331
> FAX: 508-929-3140
> E-M: bhill@bowditch.com
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sat Aug 02 2008 - 09:00:29 PDT