(I realized some of the old TTW content was lost in the move. I’ll be posting a few downloads, etc to get them back up. This was a handout I used in blogging workshops 2005-2007))
Blogger’s Toolkit: Evaluating LIS Weblogs
Use Librarian’s Tools:
This is similar to evaluating sites for reference and inclusion on subject list. Questions to ponder when adding blogs to your aggregator or recommending them to colleagues:
• Author: Who is the blog author? Is that information easily accessible? Where do they work?
• Purpose: What’s the mission or goal of the blog? Is it stated? Is it a commercial venture masquerading as an informative site?
• Currency: How often are posts made? When was the last one?
• Objectivity: Is there a bias present?
• Depth: What’s the scope or level of substance? Are the posts essays? Links to other blogs that might be better?
Dr. Laurel Clyde, Weblogs & Libraries 2004:
Clyde addresses similar criteria as above and includes Web specific concerns:
• Does the blog have an appropriate format?
• Is it well organized?
• How attractive are the pages? The front page? The archives?
• Is it easy to navigate? Can you find your way back to the top page easily?
• Does it work in all browsers on all platforms?
• Has it been usability tested? Does it meet accessibility guidelines such as section 508?
• Do the links work and do they seem relevant?
• Is the order of postings useful? (Reverse chronological? Chronological? By subject?)
• Is there a method of interacting with the author? Comments? E-Mail? IM?
• Is there an RSS feed and is it easy to find? Does it work?
(Clyde, 2004, Weblogs and Libraries, Chandos Publishing, 28-31)
New Technologies: LIS Weblogs
Created by Michael Stephens www.tametheweb.com
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