WebJunction

The library world has gotten into blogging in a big way. If you have any doubt, check out this inventory of library blogs:
http://www.libdex.com/weblogs.html

Setting up RSS feeds for a selection of library blogs is a great way to keep abreast of the flood of news and changes affecting libraries, whether it’s about new technologies, shifting policies, expanding services, ….. The problem is how to choose your short list of blogs without inviting the flood of information that you are trying to rise above.

I ran into that problem when I compiled a list of blogs relevant to new technologies for libraries –[url http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=7598 ]Tech-focused Library Blogs[/url]. It did not take long at all for the active filter-feeding bloggers to discover the article and circulate it around the blog circuit, with delight from those who made the short list or dismay from those who didn’t. Here’s a [url http://librarianinblack.typepad.com/librarianinblack/2004/10/techfocused_lib.html#comments ]sample of comments[/url] from one site.

So, I’m asking the WJ audience to add your two cents here. What blogs do you read regularly? Which ones give you the most useful information for your work in libraries?

Or do you agree with this essay?
[url http://hyperenough.com/tlm/archives/000112.html#000112 ]I hate library weblogs[/url]
(this link found on [url http://openstacks.net/os/archives/2003_11.html ]Open Stacks[/url] blog)

I've ditched my old library blog, but will be restarting one soon. The new one will be focused on our building project -- updates on where we stand, pictures, etc. We're very early in the project, so there's not much to report now, other than we have purchased land and removed the house that was on it.

I think we need to have two definitions here: "Library blogs" and "Blogs by librarians." Libary blogs, to me anyway, should be about library news. Blogs by librarians (which I do have a personal one about my parody writings and other stuff) can include patron horror stories and personal-ish information.

I just started the new blog, at http://www.livejournal.com/users/wlib/

The only thing I have up so far is pictures of the house on a lot we purchased (next to an empty donated lot) being demolished. The second picture I so wanted to subtitle it, "Hulk smash!" You'd understand why if you'd seen the bulldozer driver. ;)

I like the "blogs by librarians" too, once you realize the different focus. In fact, my personal blog started out focusing on some parody writing I do, sometimes drifting to library commentary. Turns out the library commentary was popular with some on my friends list, so I make more comments on it now.

http://www.feedreader.net/

is a Web-based reader with the same name as the downloadable Feedreader
software that you might consider using instead. It cuts down on maintenance/download problems and can be used from any
computer with a Web browser. From the looks of things, this is a fairly
new site/service. The directory is a bit thin, but has some "name brand" (Yahoo, Ziff-Davis) links.
Using it would be similar to the difference between thin client and PC.

Rush

It seems to me that a many libraries and librarians are jumping on the "blogwagon" because it seems like we need to constantly demonstrate that we use "cool" technologies. If the purpose of a library weblog is to share news with the user community is a weblog the best way to do that? I think the answer is no - at least for now. Why? More people are getting familiar with blogs, but many are still unfamiliar with RSS and news aggregator technology. A blog without a news aggregator is like a web site without a browser. How do libraries with blogs think their user communities will read the blog? Do you think your users will find whatever it is you blog about so fascinating that they'll want to visit your blog everyday? Probably not? Do most libraries even have enough of interest to keep a blog updated regularly? Take a look at some library blogs. Most have gone weeks or months without updating (I guess the people who start them lose interest or realize it takes work to create a good blog that will keep readers coming back) or have just a few entries per month. Doesn't it make more sense to post news on the library home page or to just email it to your subscribers. Now, if the use of aggregators was more universal, then I might see more value to a library blog. For now, I think there are better things we could be doing with our time - such as helping our user communities to understand what our resources are and why they need to use them (and not just search engines). Personal blogs maintained by librarians? That's a whole other can of worms. Most are pretty bad - but there's no harm in experimenting if that's what you want to do. However, most are not sustainable. They don't start with a great idea, they don't have worthwhile content that keeps readers coming back, and there not created in a way that makes them easy and brief to update every day. So I don't hate library blogs, I just think they don't make a whole lot of sense right now. Let's face it, what makes blogging fun is that people read your blog - and if no one is reading it (and BTW - has any library blogger actually bothered to find out if the user community needs a library blog) - what fun is it?

Our library in VT is going to be starting a blog, as soon as I figure it all out. THe main purpose is to replace our "Announcements" page and to keep an archive. Plus our teens want a place to post recommendations.

BTW, I've been attempting to participate on All Aboard for a while, but could never remember to check the boards. Why has that changed? I noticed the XML tag at the bottom of the page and now I get all posts sent to RSS/Bloglines!!!!