Formatted in a scholarly manner this blog is unlike the other four I subscribed to. While the posts often stem from personal issues the authors (posts are written by multiple authors and the website has submission guidelines) have performed a great deal of research for each post. The entries are long with lots of links to other resources and further readings. Each of the posts shows multiple points of view regarding the subject at hand. For example when discussing part-time employment, the author looked at it from both the employer's standpoint and the employee's. When taking a look at Facebook the author included both the pros and cons as well as general information about the service. All the topics address important issues which would be relevant to a librarian today.
This blog is personal in nature dealing directly with what is happening in the author's library and world. Posts are short and not at all scholarly in nature. Instead the author provides real world examples of problem solving through example. While there are sometimes links to other resources, there is no bibliography like there is for In the Library with the Lead Pipe.
Fairly short posts covering a wide range of topics including: general technology, book reviews, and videos. The author writes from a personal perspective and only provides a few links to other resources. The posts are not directly linked to library services, but instead offer items that might be of interest to librarians.
This is a resource oriented blog dealing with issues effecting libraries. The posts look at products, software, websites, and other technology that could be beneficial to librarians. There are lots of additional resources and links to further reading. The lengths of the posts tends to vary, but is generally on the shorter side.
A web and technology based blog with fairly short posts. King advertises his blog as being about “Social Web, Emerging Trends, and Libraries” and that's exactly what it is about. Posts are generally based on personal experience and are giving helpful advise to others. King has tried out everything he posts and is therefore able to give tips to readers. The actual website for the blog has more information and features than just the RSS feed, including lists of presentations, books, and even a videoblog. King even used his blog to effectively apologize for misinformation given and a post that was not received well by his readers. He used his experience as a learning tool for others.
The official blog for the Young Adult Library Services Association. Posts from many different authors addressing relevant issues in YA Library Service and libraries in general. Also includes information about conferences, elections, and voting. Posts often contain great resources for librarians to utilize at their libraries or at home.
This is a sister to the main YALSA blog. The Hub focuses on teen materials and posts book and manga reviews, interviews with authors, Tweets of the Week, and top book lists. Posts are written by multiple authors and are usually quick and easy to read.
A technology and information blog, Stephen includes infographics, lists, presentations, and generally lots and lots of data. Subject matter is all relevant in some way to libraries. The blog gives lots of information regarding e-books, social networking, and any other technology resource viewed as relevant. Posts vary in length but often get straight to the point. Lots of links and other resources for further reading are almost always available. Blog also includes “Friday Fun” posts which gives readers videos, photos, or other infographics that usually still deal with technology but in a more humorous manner.
I personally enjoy reading posts that include a bit of humor and the author's personality, while still ensuring the important information is given. Photos, videos, and links to more information is always a positive for me as well. It's important when reading a blog that you trust the author is giving you information that is accurate. I love to see an author apologizing and correcting mistakes in the public format. While it might be embarrassing it lets me know that they are concerned about disseminating the correct information regardless of their own personal discomfort.
For me a successful blog will not just give me two or three sentences about a new technology and then a link to their website. I want to know why they find it of value, what they've learned from trying it, and any information about how it's being used by the general public. Another aspect that I find important is the personal nature of blogs. In the Library with the Lead Pipe is a great example of combining both scholarly information with a personal writing style. While the posts on this blog may be a bit long for me to read in the morning with the rest of my RSS feeds, it contains a great deal of valuable information that doesn't read like a boring research paper.
I also think it's important to note that library blogs don't have to only be about what's going on in the library. Instead most of the library blogs I've subscribed to talk about technology, resources, and general topics that would be of interest to any information professional. The blogs that are the most popular for me not only give information about these new resources but then also discuss how they might be valuable in the library.
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