Blogs and Blog Readers

The next step in my librarian education is to learn how to get connected and stay "in the know" when it comes to education and library science.

One of the best ways to do stay connected is to find a feed reader (RSS Feed) that fits your needs. Feed Readers are aggregators that keep your favorite sites and links collected in one spot. Many feed readers available today are free of charge and connect to so many different media outlets and news sites that a personalized collection is merely clicks away. I've found Feedly to be one of the easiest to navigate and I really enjoyed the layout and feed options, but here are some other options for your own curated online experience:

1. FeedReader Online: This very simple interface lets you create a free account and build your own personal list of links and websites that fit your specific needs. Easy to navigate and create, it gives a simplified and non-complicated way for people to collect their favorites.

2. Feedly: Feedly offers free and paid versions of their website. They let you pick topics to follow that are customizable. Users can set up key word alerts, link to their twitter, and follow topics on reddit through feedly's options.

3. Inoreader: Inoreader can save both specific web pages and articles. This site is easy to navigate and is created to help you discover new things to read based on your preferences.

4. Feedspot: is more like a social feed reader. It makes you follow 10 topics when you first sign up and has a very affordable paid version. You can try the paid version free for 7 days before deciding if you would like to use it, and they have monthly rates ranging from $2.99 a month to $4.49 a month. Feedspot links with social media and lets users builder their own preferences.

5. Newsblur: This RSS feed claims to be the 'oldest surviving RSS feeder' online, and has many fun features for customization. Users can use the training filters to specify exactly what they do and do not want on their feed. They can link to social media for sharing, and the feeds created by users can be shared with non Newsblur members through Blurblogs.

Searching through these sites helped me to find new and innovative ways of staying connected and linking my social media with my blog interests. I was also able to find some really interesting blogs. Here are the first 5 that caught my eye:

1. Kathy Schrock's Kaffeklatsch: This is the only one I already followed before the RSS feed search, but I had to share. I was new to the idea of a "Bloom's Digital Taxonomy" and certain digital teaching methods, and her explanations helped. I found her blog through her website, and have loved all of the posts since. She is a director of technology for schools, and shares the most amazing digital information.

2. No Shelf Required: I think the best part of this is the fact that it is for libraries of the future. The entire concept is that libraries and education are not limited to the shelves. Dr. Roncevic has a PhD and shares information about digital content on this blog. Very informative and innovative.

3. Ms. O Reads Books: What I love most about Ms. O is that she shares REAL teaching moments, and her voice is so authentic. Her ideas and teaching experiences really enhance the lessons and help add to my own ideas for teaching and working with students.

4. The Trapped Librarian: Mrs. Trapp is an elementary school librarian. Normally I would try to find a middle school librarian to follow, but was very intrigued with her blog. The things she shares are truly great for a current or future librarian to keep in their "personal library" of tips and tricks for the media center. Her tag itself shows that she is a passional librarian because she states "I'm here to help you make the library the center of your school." Way to go!

5. Murray Hill Middle School: This blog is directly from the school, so it shows off what the students do/have while also sharing fun things about a middle school library. It's run by Ms. Jones who shares about the kids, school, and community. I love the 'realness' of this blog, and can't wait to dive deeper into the items shared.

I'd love to hear about your favorite blogs so I can add them to my new RSS feed. Also, after much exploration and debate, I've decided to dust off my old tumblr (which was partially dedicated to Dr. Who and partially dedicated to my love of Friends and Outlander) (also, by dust off, I mean delete and restart entirely) so that I can share books, memes, quotes, and ideas about library science and education. I really had no idea Tumblr had grown into so much more than a place to share gifs of your current fandom. If you'd like to follow me on Tumblr (which is brand new and doesn't have much yet) please feel free to do so! Do you have a Tumblr? Let me know!