I see blog people [revised?]
August 1st, 2005T. Scott Plutchak, the editor of the Journal of the Medical Library Association has an editorial titled, I see blog people (wait, keep reading!). A few quotes:
“Blog software makes it very easy to post your library’s latest news—but is anyone reading it? Is this the best way, or even a good way, to share information about the library? It certainly seems to be worth a try, but I hope that someone, somewhere, is planning a systematic evaluation of its efficacy.”
“There is plenty of junk out in the blogosphere, but there is so in every other medium. Gorman’s characterization is simply not an accurate reflection of most of what I have come across. The people who may add a comment to a particular posting have, no doubt, a tendency to shoot from the hip, and the quickness to get something online results all too often in bloated prose and flabby thinking. Too few bloggers take the time to think about that tenuous connection between thought and writing—they are too much in love with their ideas and not enough with the language. But, with a little patience, one can find much that is rewarding reading.”
It’s a great read, with great points. It’s also neutral, not one sided. Mr. Plutchak sees blogs as important, if done right, and if our users are ready. Bravo. (link via ResourceShelf)