The Blogs Reviewed

Library Blogs: There seem to be a wealth of library blogs available…I guess it is in the nature of librarians to start a blog to test the technology, or to share information with others. So naturally they turn to a blog…BUT… Like most things on the internet it takes some time to determine what is good, and what is not good, so here is the list recommended by Dr. Haycock and drawn from the LISNews Blog

Here's the LISNews Ten Blogs to Read in 2008. Check out the announcement for details about each one.

The Annoyed Librarian
David Rothman
iLibrarian
Judge a Book by its Cover
Law Librarian Blog
Library Stuff
Marylaine Block
Off The Mark
ResearchBuzz
Stephen's Lighthouse

I will be following and reviewing the first five blog sites…I tried to take a bloggy kind of approach to blend in with the crowd. Hope you enjoy.

The Law Librarian Blog

There are no pictures on this blog…but don’t let that stop you if you are interested in Law Libraries, because this site is filled with useful information. Unlike the other blogs I have been following for the past four weeks, the Law Library Blog is hosted by two editors, and an additional ten plus contributing editors. Each editor has their title proudly displayed underneath their name, and each entry is fairly straightforward and academic, as opposed to the wordy, editorialized rants, reviews, friendly displays, and funny video-clip having counterparts…this blog is really for Law Librarians-full stop…Well with the exception of their Friday Fun days! Even law librarians need fun.

So if you are interested in Law Libraries check out these posts!

Find amazing resources: Refreshed Ohio Supreme Court Web Site - New URL, Downloadable Audio

Find Great Opportunities: Teach Research in China!

So if you are interested in Law Libraries, make sure you check out this top-rated site!

Pure Fun…No academic value I can see, but wow, what a great site. When it comes time to weed a library you will see a large scope of volumes that are appropriate for this blog. This blog really and truly throws the gauntlet for what should be weeded.

The posts are generally hilarious and detail the blogger’s love of library book sales, and the social network they depend on to keep the funny book jackets and covers coming in to amuse us.

I think this site really details a sense of humor and fun that is not specific to libraries, but really has current, future, and past librarians rolling in the bookstacks.

So grab your horn-rimmed glasses, a cup of tea, a cat, and enjoy this great site.

Want to know the latest in the Library 2.0 phenomenon? Look no further than the extremely helpful and user-friendly blog ilibrarian. Described by the author as; “News and resources on Library 2.0 and the information revolution.” Here are three examples of Library 2.0 blog posts that I found really helpful!
A Librarian’s Guide to Creating 2.0 Subject Guides
Hottest Facebook Groups for Librarians
18 Different Kinds of Blog Posts
Looking for help on a Library 2.0 topic? Here is a complete list of all the topics that have been tagged in the ilibrarian site. Seeing the complete list really helps realize the scope of this project!
3D Worlds
Academic Library
Advocacy & Promotion
Blogs
Books
Browsers
Change & Innovation
Collaboration
Conference
Copyright
Creativity
Culture & Society
Design
E-Books
Folksononmy
Gaming
General
Guides
IM
Information Archives
Information Literacy
Information Overload
Interviews
Learning Spaces
Libraries
Library 2.0
Library Services
Lists
Literature
Mac
Marketing
Mashups
Media
Microblogging
Mobile
OPAC
Open Access
Open Education
Open Licenses
Open Source
Philosophy & Practice
Podcasts
Presentations
Privacy
Public Library
Reports
RSS
School Library
Screencasting
Search
Second Life
SMS
Social Networking
Social Software
Tagging
Video
Virtual Reference
Web 2.0
Web 3.0
Widgets
Wiki

Although the Medical Profession is a mystery to me, David Rothman is unraveling this mystery through his informative posts. He also peppers his blog with funny youtube videos, helpful links, and his personal opinions regarding new technologies…If you are looking at medical librarianship as a career David Rothman will perhaps help you along your way.

David describes himself as such…


“After working at managing information as a Business Analyst for Target and a a Business Systems Analyst for eBenX/SHPS, David Rothman now works as the Information Services Specialist at the Community General Hospital Medical Library, managing the day-to-day operation of the CGH Medical Library.”


The one feature that seems to wow everyone about David’s site is the Google operated search engine that you can find medical evidence, or handouts for teaching classes, and writing papers…this is a truly fantastic feature and really demonstrates what the difference between a old-fashioned Librarian, and today’s mysterious title Information Scientist.

Check out David’s site for a great list of medical wikis, consumer health articles, history of medicine search engines, and so many more tools of the Medical Librarian trade.

The Annoyed Librarian

Looking for an alternative view on Librarianship…a truth-teller, and naysayer extraordinaire? Looking for someone who did not buy in or sell out to the image of drinking tea, and quietly shelving books? If so then check out the Annoyed Librarian blog. She describes herself as such…

“The Annoyed Librarian is possibly the most successful, respected, and desirable librarian of her generation. She has no other interest than to bring her wit and wisdom to the huddled librarian masses yearning to breathe free. The Annoyed Librarian is a free spirit and you are lucky to have her. Fan mail may be addressed to: annoyedlibrarian@gmail.com”


Librarianship: the Best Career
Librarians, Amuse Us to Death!
Budget Tips for Hard Times

Written in a manner that approaches our chosen profession with wit, wisdom, and anecdotes, the Annoyed Librarian makes for a good read while your budget is being cut, or patrons are well, annoying you…