In cruising around the five assigned
blogs, I noticed:
1. Some were written
by men (David Lee King and The Distant Librarian), some by women (Librarian by
Day, The Librarian’s Commute), and one had multiple authors from both sexes (In
the Library with the Lead Pipe).
2. Some are written
more like the blog is their diary about their library-related musings (DLK and
L by D,and to a lesser degree The Commuting Librarian)
3. Some have posts
that provide personal information, not library related at all. The Distant
Librarian’s most recent post was about time with his family at a Calgary event.
David Lee King mentions his friend’s tumour of the “manly parts” in one of his
posts. King also likes to talk about himself a lot.
4. Some seem to
be there to pass information along, but not necessarily discuss it (Distant
Librarian) and others love to discuss and offer opinion (DLK and L by D), and some find the middle road (The Commuting Librarian and
In the Library with the Lead Pipe)
5. Some are
very web, digital, and emerging technology based: DLK and L by D. These blogs
are also the most visually interesting to browse, with lots of images and eye
catching post titles.
6. The posts of
In the Library with the Lead Pipe are actually articles (including references
and review by at least one peer)
7. Some of the blogs are much more complex and organized than others. DLK, L by D, and In the L with the L P have original and descriptive top horizontal menus; not just links to Twitter, Facebook, etc., but also updates from various social media sites; posts organized into categories; voluminous tags; "Popular Posts" and "Popular Comments" lists; etc.
8. Others are downright boring to look at: The Commuting Librarian and the Distant Librarian (note I said boring to look at, not to read).
9. There is a variety of librarianship represented by the different blog authors and, therefore, a variety of different focuses for the blogs: academic (Distant Librarian and Librarian's Commute), reference (Librarian's Commute), digital (DLK and L by D), emerging technologies (DLK and L by D), a bit of everything (In the L with the L P)
10. There is are also a wide variety in 'job titles' amoung the authors: reference and instruction librarian (Librarian's Commute), digital services director (DLK), public services systems librarian (Distant Librarian), and In the L with the L P has posts written by a library directors, reference librarians, an outreach librarian, and a scholarly communications librarian,
7. Some of the blogs are much more complex and organized than others. DLK, L by D, and In the L with the L P have original and descriptive top horizontal menus; not just links to Twitter, Facebook, etc., but also updates from various social media sites; posts organized into categories; voluminous tags; "Popular Posts" and "Popular Comments" lists; etc.
8. Others are downright boring to look at: The Commuting Librarian and the Distant Librarian (note I said boring to look at, not to read).
9. There is a variety of librarianship represented by the different blog authors and, therefore, a variety of different focuses for the blogs: academic (Distant Librarian and Librarian's Commute), reference (Librarian's Commute), digital (DLK and L by D), emerging technologies (DLK and L by D), a bit of everything (In the L with the L P)
10. There is are also a wide variety in 'job titles' amoung the authors: reference and instruction librarian (Librarian's Commute), digital services director (DLK), public services systems librarian (Distant Librarian), and In the L with the L P has posts written by a library directors, reference librarians, an outreach librarian, and a scholarly communications librarian,
My faves out of this bunch.......
Librarian by Day and David Lee King. I found these blogs to have the most
‘personality’ and were the most fun to read, but for different reasons. Even
though I like fishing through DLK’s blog - I have to do lots of fishing: the guy likes to talk and talk and talk (or video
blog). But I think he’s got some innovative ideas (like libraries using
something like the ‘free song’ cards they give out at Starbucks) so I’m willing
to put up with the long - windedness I find in many of his posts. Librarian by
Day, on the other hand, I find a really entertaining read. She is modern and
funny and a good writer. She covers a wide variety of topics on which to muse,
as is evidenced on her “Popular Posts” tab. I really enjoy the way she has
organized her blog, including her categories list, and the Popular Posts tab. I
also really appreciate the links she provides to her presentations on
Slideshare. Both of these blogs do more than pass along info.They organize it and bring attention to it in interesting ways: video blogs, creative post titles, creative lists of posts, etc. They also offer food for thought with their creative ideas and library related insights. They seem to have a natural way of setting themselves apart from other blogs. They also come across as being quite the experts in their fields. I feel like they are someone I should be listening to.
In the Library with the Lead Pipe deserves honorable mention as I think the idea of multiple authors and a 'peer reviewed' article - like format is great - if only for the references! It is definitely a blog I will keep in my reader.
Although the Distant Librarian and Librarian's Commute do not appeal to me aesthetically or in the style of writing (kinda boring), I will still be keeping each in my reader. The Distant Librarian actually provides resources to many conferences/events that I have been unable to attend (in Canada). The Librarian's Commute has a focus on reference librarianship - just like me, and I do find some of her posts worth reading (even though the blog itself is plain toast - like).
In the Library with the Lead Pipe deserves honorable mention as I think the idea of multiple authors and a 'peer reviewed' article - like format is great - if only for the references! It is definitely a blog I will keep in my reader.
Although the Distant Librarian and Librarian's Commute do not appeal to me aesthetically or in the style of writing (kinda boring), I will still be keeping each in my reader. The Distant Librarian actually provides resources to many conferences/events that I have been unable to attend (in Canada). The Librarian's Commute has a focus on reference librarianship - just like me, and I do find some of her posts worth reading (even though the blog itself is plain toast - like).
My
personal faves...
Librarian in Black. In her own words, her blog, “was born out of my displeasure at having to wade through dozens of websites, blogs, & RSS feeds related to librarianship, technology, web services, and current trends to find those few posts that applied to my work. I hope this site can continue to help others find information on library web & digital services.” I first encountered this blog in one of my first MLIS classes, LIBR 200 with Boyd. Her tagline says it all: Amazingly informed & therefore properly opinionated. I think she rocks. I love sarcastic wit and dry humour. I also find these qualities tend to be associated with very smart people. All things I find in the Librarian in Black. And she’s not scared to swear.
Agnostic, Maybe. Andy Woodworth, a librarian in NJ writes on the “the neverending reference interview of life.” This librarian is hilarious and out spoken on may topics relating to libraries, public libraries in particular. From overpriced ebooks (see the post on Hatchette), to copyright, to words of wisdom to new MLIS students, AndyW. writes with wit, humour, and common sense.
The ‘M’ Word - Marketing for Libraries. This blog is mentioned on library top ten blog sites all over the place and on the favorites list of many of the above authors. I am always looking for new and creative ways to engage the academic community with the campus library(ies). This blog has fantastic ideas and incredibly helpful insights on how to properly market libraries. Because of the digital age and all the new ways to retrieve information it has born, libraries need to be 'in the know' on how to market themselves to the public in effort to remain relevant in the public's eyes. This blog should on any librarian's reader who is interested in keeping the library relevant to the majority.
Librarian in Black. In her own words, her blog, “was born out of my displeasure at having to wade through dozens of websites, blogs, & RSS feeds related to librarianship, technology, web services, and current trends to find those few posts that applied to my work. I hope this site can continue to help others find information on library web & digital services.” I first encountered this blog in one of my first MLIS classes, LIBR 200 with Boyd. Her tagline says it all: Amazingly informed & therefore properly opinionated. I think she rocks. I love sarcastic wit and dry humour. I also find these qualities tend to be associated with very smart people. All things I find in the Librarian in Black. And she’s not scared to swear.
Agnostic, Maybe. Andy Woodworth, a librarian in NJ writes on the “the neverending reference interview of life.” This librarian is hilarious and out spoken on may topics relating to libraries, public libraries in particular. From overpriced ebooks (see the post on Hatchette), to copyright, to words of wisdom to new MLIS students, AndyW. writes with wit, humour, and common sense.
The ‘M’ Word - Marketing for Libraries. This blog is mentioned on library top ten blog sites all over the place and on the favorites list of many of the above authors. I am always looking for new and creative ways to engage the academic community with the campus library(ies). This blog has fantastic ideas and incredibly helpful insights on how to properly market libraries. Because of the digital age and all the new ways to retrieve information it has born, libraries need to be 'in the know' on how to market themselves to the public in effort to remain relevant in the public's eyes. This blog should on any librarian's reader who is interested in keeping the library relevant to the majority.
To me, successful blogs are...
First, they have to have topical information of interest to someone, or more to the point, to many. But the truly successful blogs will disseminate that information in an interesting, creative, and original manner. I
don’t just want to be passed information, I want someone to discuss it, stick
their neck out and give an opinion about it. An informed opinion, though. Not
just someone’s rant for the sake of ranting. And I don't mind a bit of personal info/background AS LONG AS IT IS RELEVANT (note to DLK: keep your friend's balls out of your blog). Of less importance than the main content/subject matter, is the extra info that can be found on successful blogs and the 'browse-ability' of the blog. Links to the author's favorite blogs, posts organized by topic, lists of popular posts, as well as links to the author's presentation materials are all items that will keep me coming back.
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