Stephen Abram, librarian blogger extraordinaire and creator of Stephen’s Lighthouse, once asked “What is the proper term for a group of librarians?” My favorite answer was “a volume of librarians” — hence the name of this blog.
In my fantasy blog — about which I’m blogging now — I would like to create virtual discourse among a volume of librarians who share something in common.
It will be a bit like the Inside Science Resources blog in that I’d like it to be mostly invited posts. However, my blog will be more discussion based.
When I was a librarian at the Space Telescope Science Institute, I was a member of an informal group called the “DC Metro Science Librarians” I miss those guys! We met a few times a year to compare notes and show-and-tell. I’d like to create a similar community, but virtually and with a blog. One could even imagine a community which would both blog and communicate via Zoom a few times a year. In this day and age it is harder to travel to conferences, thus my desire to interact with others in this fashion.
Blog target group ideas:
- Librarians in standalone polytechnic libraries who do not belong to a larger university system
- Librarians undergoing career shifts such as myself.
- All of the librarians within 5 square miles of my work site who I have not yet met, mysteriously.
- Any other ideas? Share them please.
First discussion question:
Gentle reader, ponder first this question and tell me what you think:
Is it possible to blog about problems in your workplace? Or should you save such discussions for other less public forums?
I’m trying to figure out how to reply directly to another person’s post.
F. Nana– the links being bigger was a feature of the theme I was using. It went away after I changed themes. I liked it too!
Jill, thanks for sharing the “Inside Science Resources” blog. It was helpful to see how it works when others are invited to submit posts to one blog. I do like that idea in that various viewpoints and expertise can be shared on a specific topic. Extended an offer to the readers of your blog to gather a few times a year virtually, even for those in a 5 mile radius, is a great way to build community and maybe that is who can contribute to the blog further.
Thanks for making the font to the links larger (I am still trying to figure that out!).
Now on your question on discussing work-related issues in a public forum – that is tricky. If there are “technical” issues that could be interesting but you might need to mask where you actually work. When it comes to people issues, the same applies but I do think those should be less in the public sphere unless you can create “personas” and if the blog is about handling people issues in the workplace.
Hi Jill,
I agree with Camila, I think it depends. If they are most philosophical issues, like how do I keep my High School students from stressing so much about grades, I think it can foster a positive conversation. Are LibGuides antiquated? Another possible question. If it’s a personal complaint then I would not share.
Hey Jill, I really enjoyed reading your blog. Personally, I believe that it is a huge no-no to bring workplace issues onto the internet. I believe that if you are not happy within a company, you should voice your frustrations to the higher ups within the company and if there is no positive solution, you should leave the company to get out of a negative work environment. Many times in society today we see people putting their entire life on the Internet which often ends up damaging either their reputation of the company’s which is not beneficial for either party. I do believe though if the blog is asking for advice within the workplace, there is no issue with helping others out and informing them about the daily life of someone in the workplace. Great engaging question!
Hi there! I would say that it is not wise to blog about problems in the workplace. However, it really depends how vague you are when describing your complaints, and if the complaints are about the career itself or about another person in that work environment. It also depends on the nature of the blog; if it is one that simply perpetuates hateful thoughts and opinions, mayyyybbbeee not the best idea. But if the blog simply asks for advice, or maybe even puts out experiences that other people identify with on a daily basis, that would be a better, more positive space for people to come together, and feel safe and supported.