Note to my readers: this post is the result of an assignment for a class on information technology at the University of Kentucky (LIS637) as part of my MSLS studies. The assignment was to evaluate two library blogs in light of principles set forth in a reading list.
Two library blogs are here evaluated: the Ann Arbor District library in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the James P. Boyce Centennial Library in Louisville, Kentucky. Many of the principles set forth in the reading were most applicatory to unaffiliated blogs written by individuals rather than to blogs affiliated with institutions such as libraries, but many of the principles were universally helpful for evaluating blogs of every type. When referring to specific principles mentioned on specific sites in the reading list, the following abbreviations are used.
- BW: Writing Good Blogs, via Blogwidow
- WD: Web Design, via About.com
- WJ: Blogs for Libraries, via Webjunction
- SB: Blogging Strategy 101, via Scoutblogging
- DM: Design Mistakes, via Useit.com
The Ann Arbor District library (AADL) is a public library well-known for its innovation. Indeed, the primary reason why I have frequented the blog is for some of the unique and creative ideas they have implemented in recent years — even if some of them are difficult to find now (what happened to the mock catalog-card on which online users can scrawl?). Evaluating the blog-related aspects of their site has furthered my impression of them as an online library presence that “gets it.” The AADL site contains a great deal of information, but the various pages and views do not feel overly complicated by miscellaneous information (BW). The use of the blog for library news (WJ) is utilized effectively for the events blog. The links are plentiful, relevant (BS) and always explain where they go (DM). It is updated frequently and appears to contain up-to-date information. Commenting is welcomed, though it understandably requires user log-in before comments can be left. The comments are publicly readable. Questions are not typically posed in order to generate discussion.
The blog of the James P. Boyce Centennial Library, however, serves a different purpose. Rather than attempting to be a place for online discussion or conversation (SB), this library is using Wordpress primarily as a content management system of sorts. An RSS feed is indeed published for the library news, but comments are disabled because it is not intended to be a conversational medium. An XML icon is not displayed (WD), but a prominently-placed feed icon is placed at the top right. Topics in the blog are indeed mixed (DM) in that it includes news of a wide-ranging nature. The CSS of the site is quite well designed such that the blog’s pages are consistent and easy to navigate.
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