You may remember a few weeks ago when that exciting "Top 25 Bloggers" list came out and yours truly was #18. Several bloggers immediately stepped up to criticize the methodology behind the list, claiming their blog wasn't fairly represented because they didn't know how to use Technorati or they had never heard of an Alexa Rank or their dog had eaten their Bloglines subscribers. If it's not one thing, it's another. Some people seemed to think that because small niche blogs like Library Stuff or Information Wants to Be Free weren't on the list, then it must be flawed. Some people, no doubt, were a little miffed to appear on the same list as me. Whatever.
I had my doubts about the list as well, because a couple of those blogs are excruciatingly boring, even for librarian blogs, and I just couldn't believe they were the top 25 of anything. And then there was the little matter of the AL being merely #18. I've been an alternative voice in librarianship since 1876, and #18 was the best I could do? I knew there must be a problem.
Fortunately, we have Meredith Farkas to fix problems like this. She conducted a rigorous, definitive, statistically valid survey asking readers to name their three favorite blogs. I haven't checked the details too closely, but I think something like half a million librarians responded. Maybe not that many, but it was a lot. And now she's reported the results. And guess what?
The AL's #1, baby! Woo hoo! Now this is more like it!
What can we learn from this, Meredith asks? "Well, seeing which blog is #1 (and that it wasn’t even all that close) tells me that a cynical view of the profession speaks to a lot of people. Nearly 1/4 of all participants in the survey voted for the Annoyed Librarian." I more or less quit reading after the phrase "wasn't even all that close," but I'm sure we've learned something from this. What we've learned is:
The AL's #1, baby!
Meredith tries to sugarcoat all this for the unfortunates who didn't make any cut at all. "A blog might not be a 'favorite' but might be one of those key useful blogs that just about everyone subscribes to," she writes. Sure, but maybe it'll be a "favorite" with your mom. Oh, and she offers this consolation: "Really, if you enjoy blogging, if you’re meeting your goals, or if you’re connecting with the folks you want to connect with, then you should be happy." Of course you should be happy. But you won't be as happy as I am, because, have I mentioned:
The AL's #1, baby!
First of all, I'd like to thank Meredith for the hard work making all this possible. I consider this the library blog survey to end all library blog surveys. I would also like to thank the crew of researchers, editors, and copywriters who make up my support team--without you guys I'd be nowhere! Of course, I would also like to thank all the little people I've had to step on in my rise to greatness. Thank you, little people.
I know there are probably some embittered blogging librarians out there who resent my rise to greatness, and to them I say, I forgive your envy and pettiness. Generosity of spirit comes easily when you're #1.
Finally, I'll leave you with one observation. It's lonely at the top, but at least the view's nice.
About Me
- AL
- The Annoyed Librarian is possibly the most successful, respected, and desirable librarian of her generation. She has no other interest than to bring her wit and wisdom to the huddled librarian masses yearning to breathe free. The Annoyed Librarian is a free spirit and you are lucky to have her.
24 comments:
Dang, I hate having a mainstream interest. I think I will have to start reading ALA approved blogs.
It's unanimous.........we're all annoyed.
The Emperor Has No CLothes!
Yessss, Blogmistresss, the plannn iw working, it's WORKING. Soon, you will control everything. And their little dogs too!
--Taupey, Minion Delux
Here's something I had to do a double-take on:
A library school linking to the AL!!
http://ccb.lis.uiuc.edu/yswebsite/useful/usefulurls.htm
regarding, anonymous 4.08-- there must be a tiny groundling at work over at GSLIS/UIUC
I blog but I am not meeting my goals which include buying the AL martinis and taking her on foreign trips.
Such is life.
I always thought AL should be up there.
I really like it (except when I don't).
Congrads and a model for us all.
I've crawled out of my little niche to say "congratulations" and give a rousing Bronx cheer!
AL, you've been using altogether too many exclamation points lately (!). Are you on a happy pill or something?
I don't know! Maybe it's the new meds!
On the AL being linked from a library school, I notice it's from the youth lit site. Those YA librarians have more of a sense of humor than some others, else they'd never be able to work with all those teenagers.
Anonymous 2:41PM
Yep, we're all annoyned. It's official!!
Was that 1876 A.D. or B.C.
Just KIDDING!
After all, librarians do have a sense of humor.
And...
Congrats! :)
Congrats, AL, for being #1 (as always)!
Now there needs to be a survey of the most beautiful librarian bloggers (a survey that you will surely win).
"What else can we learn? Well, seeing which blog is #1 (and that it wasn’t even all that close) tells me that a cynical view of the profession speaks to a lot of people. Nearly 1/4 of all participants in the survey voted for the Annoyed Librarian. Or maybe it tells us that people who read my blog like it and like the other blogs on this list. Hard to know. With only 218 participants, this can by no means be considered a representative sample. But I think think we can still learn things from these results."
I THINK THAT WE LEARN THAT THE ANNOYED LIBRARIAN IS THE BEST LIBRARY RELATED BLOG [AND THE ONLY BLOG THAT I LOOK FORWARD TO READING] THANKS AL! KEEP UP THE GOOD "WORK"
ur teh L337 xhaxorx AL
"tells me that a cynical view of the profession speaks to a lot of people."
Way to distance yourself from the problem and discredit the content of this blog. No, there cannot possibly be some serious problems with the profession. Many of us who frequent AL don't hate our jobs, but have worked with unsupportive colleagues, attended some horrible presentations, etc. AL's blog is a call to arms!
Congrats on being #1. You ROCK! I missed the voting though. I don't have an annoyed librarian blog, but I still would've liked to voted for my blog too. :)
http://talkingbookslibrarian.blogspot.com/
but of course it's probably still not as good as yours! :)
Again, congrats!
Well, seeing which blog is #1 (and that it wasn’t even all that close) tells me that a cynical view of the profession speaks to a lot of people.
Many people are cynical about their professions. Librarian are just more apt to blog about it (and patrons give us a lot of fodder).
AL, I would drink your bath water.
I demand a recount! Oh and my blog IS my mom's favorite!
You'll always be one of my favorites, Brian!
Give em heaps, AL. You make me laugh so much and tell it like it is. You are like the kid who told the truth in th emperor's new clothes
Al you forgot to thank your mum, dad, millions of rellos and friends and the cat for your nomination as well as the little people
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