Now, just imagine if he published a notable quantity of scathing emails -
or was arested for - - any one of a number of very sordid deeds... It would
be very unlikely that you would ever find out from a potential employer if
that influenced their decision.
Knowing that such possible confusion between your and someone with the
same/similar name could give you an opportunity to clarify who you are or
are not.
Carol Levitt's post reminds me of the "Statement of Identity" often filed
with local court clerks when there is a a possibility of confusion between
those with the same name. Perhaps having something related to internet
identity might be useful -
But where would such a document be filed? ;-)
Karen Mahnk
On Sat, Aug 2, 2008 at 11:59 AM, Bryan Carson <bryan.m.carson@vanderbilt.edu
> wrote:
> 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 Communications from our firm
>> may contain or incorporate federal tax advice. Under recently promulgated
>> US Internal Revenue Service standards (Circular 230), we are required to
>> inform you that only formal, written tax opinions meeting the requirements
>> of Circular 230 may be relied upon by taxpayers for the purpose of avoiding
>> tax-related penalties. Accordingly, this communication is not intended or
>> written to be used, and it cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding
>> tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code.
>>
>> This e-mail message is generated from the law firm of Bowditch & Dewey,
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>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
-- 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
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