To illustrate the point made by previous posts:
http://www.abajournal.com/weekly/yale_students_start_naming_names_in_suit_over_anomymous_blog_posts
See the last paragraph in the article.
Michael Dodson
Karen Mahnk wrote:
> Now, just imagine if he published a notable quantity of scathing emails
> - or was arrested 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 <mailto: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 <mailto:bryan.m.carson@vanderbilt.edu>
> - bryan.carson@wku.edu <mailto:bryan.carson@wku.edu>
>
> All original content copyright 2008 Bryan M. Carson
>
>
>
>
> Heather_Phillips@LB9.uscourts.gov
> <mailto: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 <mailto:kmahnk@gmail.com>> Sent
> by: owner-law-lib@ucdavis.edu <mailto:owner-law-lib@ucdavis.edu>
> 07/31/2008 06:54 PM
>
> To
> "Hill, Byron C." <BHill@bowditch.com <mailto:BHill@bowditch.com>>
> cc
> law-lib@ucdavis.edu <mailto: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 <mailto:kmahnk@lakeparkflorida.gov>
> www.lakepark-fl.gov <http://www.lakepark-fl.gov/>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 12:00 PM, Hill, Byron C.
> <BHill@bowditch.com <mailto: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
> <mailto:bhill@bowditch.com> Communications from our firm may
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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 <mailto:kmahnk@lakeparkflorida.gov>
> www.lakepark-fl.gov <http://www.lakepark-fl.gov>
>
>
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