Required Reading: 6 Indispensable Library Technology Blogs
Technology is becoming increasingly important in all public services, but especially libraries. Libraries are sources of not only books but also information, so their importance in our society isn’t waning. As libraries discover better ways to deliver information via new media platforms and improve operational efficiencies, they will have a greater impact on a broader population. The library, unlike the book industry, is not in competition with technology. In fact, technology represents an opportunity for libraries to evolve, innovate and inspire a new generation of readers and curious minds. Librarians and technologists will need to collaborate more than ever to keep libraries open, accessible and useful.
Here are six library technology blogs that do a great job of providing resources and information to the people who run America’s libraries. It is by no means a complete list, so please let us know about your favorite library technology blogs in the Comments section.
TechSoup for Libraries
This blog is part of a larger network of IT resources and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This particular blog focuses keenly on the most current technology issues facing libraries. For example, recent posts covered responsive web design, how technology can empower people with disabilities and tips for improving digital literacy.
Visit the blog: http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/blog
Denver Public Library Technology Blog
Denver’s public library is more than 120 years old, but it’s still on the cutting edge of information technology. It offers technology classes to Denver residents, and a staff member recently blogged about improvements to the library’s Wi-Fi. This blog is great for librarians who are looking for fresh ideas and technologists who want to find out what industry leaders are up to.
Read the blog: http://denverlibrary.org/category/blog-categories/technology-blog
Disruptive Library Technology Jester
Run by Peter E. Murray, a technologist and a librarian trained in systems analysis, the Disruptive Library Technology Jester blog has a tagline that sums up the site perfectly: “We're disrupted, we're librarians, and we're not going to take it anymore.” This blog is an enormously valuable resource for the 21st-century librarian.
Read the blog: http://dltj.org
ALA TechSource Blog
The American Library Association is probably the single best resource for librarians in the country, and their technology-specific blog measures up. Five authors contribute on a regular basis, creating a diverse and well-rounded source of modern solutions for today’s problems.
Read the blog: http://www.alatechsource.org/blog
American Libraries Magazine
This blog is published by the American Library Association and is a fabulous resource for experienced librarians and casual enthusiasts alike. The site isn’t updated daily, but it does highlight some of the most interesting and important news in the library community.
Read the blog: http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news
Free Range Librarian
Blogger and librarian K.G. Schneider spent time writing for ALA TechSource and served as the Internet Librarian columnist for American Libraries. She writes with energy, and, although not every post is focused on library technology, her musings are worth your time if you are at all interested in the future of libraries. Read the blog: http://freerangelibrarian.com
Here are a few other blogs suggested by our readers:
- Code4Lib
- The Digital Shift
- Walking Paper
- Matthew Reidsma
- Library as Incubator Project
- New York Public Library Labs
- The Ides
- Special Projects Library Action Team (SPLAT)
- Pasadena City College's Student Library Technology Blog
- LibraryTechTalk
- Tame The Web
- Phil Bradley's Blog
- iLibrarian
Do you have a blog you would like to see on this list? Send us a tweet to let us know.
