I discovered over the last several months that library students are assigned to read my blog. Occasionally, when I search for what folks are saying about libraries in general, or this blog specifically, I discover these posts on class or individual student blogs. While I often got email responses to the print columns I wrote, I never expected this kind of critique.
Students are disturbed that my blog sometimes waxes personal or is boring, especially if that particular week they are assigned to comment on a pressing professional issue. I could keep to the letter of mission I established (or change my mission) but hard as I try, I cannot keep the most important moments of my life–my son’s college graduation, for instance–outside of this space.
It is my blog. If it bores you, with all due respect, please move on. Find one that is more interesting. I won’t be hurt. I know there are way better blogs out there.
At a recent conference, a session moderator noted that one speaker’s book was negatively reviewed in an Amazon post and hoped that the many others who appreciated the book would post their positive reviews as balance in Amazon or their own blogs.
As you know, a great number of bloggers–myself included–are blogging these conferences. I love that I can read reports of the workshops and speeches I miss or read others’ takes on the workshops I attend. These days I am a little less loose, just a little more self-conscious at these sessions. I’ve heard a number of speakers–myself included–preface their talks with words like, “please don’t bash me in your blog.”
It’s funny, I always (mostly alway) enjoy reading the print evaluations of my conference sessions. I learn much from them and I like to think I grow from reading them. But, there were also a couple of very nasty comments over the years that made me angry or brought me to tears. When my husband caught me reading the pages and crying, he grabbed them and tore them up and I felt much better.
I know I talk too fast. I know I tawk funny. I know I don’t know everything about everything and I admit to my imposter syndrome straight up most every time. I know that my colleagues who also put themselves out there are sometimes less than perfect, but I almost always learn from them.
I am a great respecter of First Amendment freedoms. But bloggers out there, be a little kind and remember that there are real people behind these blogs and real people who read about themselves in your blogs.
Times are indeed shifting. The information consumer is also the information producer. When we blog professionally, I hope we can be kind, as well as sharp and professional.
You cannot tear up a nasty blog post.
17 responses so far ↓
i like your blog!
Thank you, Aaron. And I wish you the very best in your career shift (I made the same one). Please let me know if I can help in any way.
An interesting point to think about now and then. I personlly don’t blog on the spot, but I will write up conference reports in some form, mostly for myself. Overall, I always feel pretty relaxed. If people find my blog, and they stay long enough to read something they find interesting, good. But if they prefer a better blog, and the powers that be know there are better ones (like this one. I have no qualms sending people here), hey, go for it. In a way, Ranganathan is alive and well in blogging: every blog its reader and every reader its blog kind of thing. As for nasty commenters, that is what the remove button is for. I am all for freedom of expression, but I also like a little civility. Best, and keep on blogging.
If anyone deserves our gratitude and praise, it’s Joyce Valenza. Just review the posts on this blog in the past month. Not only has Joyce provided detailed, insightful summaries of ALA and NECC (conferences that many people are not able to attend), but she has also readily shared and documented important developments taking place in her own library media center (for example, the student-produced instructional video series, her end-of-the-year report, the booktalk trailers). Joyce herself points out that if a posting on a particular day does not meet someone’s informational needs, the reader can simply click on the links to other recommended blogs, conveniently posted on the NeverEnding Search site. In fact, one of these additional blogs (Doug Johnson’s posting for June 28) rightfully names Joyce “among the half dozen smartest and hardest working people in all library-land.”
Keep up the outstanding job that you are doing, Joyce, and thank you!
Sometimes people want all the answers - as if anyone has all the answers. And that is where THEY are flawed. We are all learning through the conversation — everyone — readers and writers. I enjoy reading what you are contributing.
Joyce, Thank you for the time and information you provide through your blog. Blogs should reveal our personalities - and from your blog, I know you are not only passionate about teaching/learning & libraries, but also your family. Keep blogging and enjoy your summer!
i, too, have seen you read those nasty comments (which are RARE!)- and you know what i always tell you:
you put all of yourself into these presentations and you should never doubt what you do. you’ve made fans all over the world with the work that you’ve presented and if anyone wants to criticize you, they can forward them through me and i will respond to each personally.
you rock.
Hi Joyce,
I’ve been reading you for a while and last night I heard the Edtech Talk podcast on libraries and I just loved it. I knew you were going to sopeak and I looked forward to your mellifluous voice as I always do when I hear you. The other month I had a similar experience as my blog is sometimes set for student teachers to read and review, and I found a negative one. Like you I believe you just have to grow a thick skin, but not before have composed several imaginary blog posts in reply trying to defend my blog. But its all part of the mix and pwoplw have a right to their opinion I guess. Love your work
Joyce - Much as I adore library school students, sometimes I think they fear they will not get credit from their professors if they don’t find something to criticize and sound “intelligent” about. I remember doing something similar (about 100 years ago) when I had to critique and compare professional journals. But big difference there — I wasn’t commenting on flesh-and-blood people and I wasn’t sharing my words with the world at large.
I have learned more from you (and stolen more from you) than I can say. I have full dibs on the imposter syndrome label! Listen to your daughter, okay?
Students *assigned* to read your blog are criticizing you, because you (gasp) dare to be human ??!!
As the sage sayeth: fuggedaboutit.
Ask those students what they’ve accomplished so far…hell, ask who their professor IS. There are always some small-minded people who think that criticizing others makes them look smarter. It only betrays their own lack of achievement.
Dear Joyce,
I agree with you, especially when attending workshops and talks, we must be professional in our commenting. Opinions are one thing– public ridicule is another.
Some of the blog entries I have read covering sessions that I, too, attended at NECC, are both negative and off the mark.
Now, granted, without a knowledge base in the topic at hand, the attendee may not come away with what they are looking for.
However, I feel, rather than “dissing” the speakers in their blogs, the attendess should feel free to follow up with the speaker via e-mail, and ask more questions and ask for further clarification so they can truly understand what went on during the talk.
It is all about learning more about the topic in order to grow, and then, once the attendee has the knowledge base, a thoughtful, professional dialogue can occur.
Kathy
I love reading your blog and looking at your website. As a new librarian, I read your blog to see what I should be doing and learning about. Please don’t let the negative aspects of being well-known impact your generous sharing of knowledge, learning, and yourself. It is needed and truly appreciated.
Joyce,
I can’t imagine anyone commenting negatively about your blog or about you! I appreciate your blog, your school library website, your books–I could go on and on! I am getting a late start in life at being a librarian (I started my first year this past year at the age of 48), and you have been a lifesaver. I have lived by your Power Tools book and information I have learned from you. I met you at the TASL meeting in Knoxville in November, and I want you to know that you are one of my heroes–it even says so on my MySpace! Keep up the great work!
Joyce,
I am one of those professors who assign students to read your blog. I do so because it is a model of outstanding work, thinking outside the box, and professional excellence. My students are Joyce Valenza fans and so am I. If you can trace any of the negative comments to my students ISPs, let me know and I’ll contact some Italian friends in Queens to handle it.
Nancy
It’s disheartening to hear that some students can’t even be counted on for good manners, much less an appreciation of the fine (and extensive) work on this blog.
Most of us who review this site regularly come away a bit more knowledgable and aware each time we do so, but constantly appreciative of the quality of the work, and effort involved.
It’s the best blog I’ve found for trying to stay on top of the rapidly-changing technical/educational world.
Just don’t read the nasty ones! I now know you are famous and have read a whole host of blogs saying you were wonderful at Alan November’s BLC this year. Count me in as a fan!
As a new educator to the blogging world, I really appreciated your post. I am very conscious of what I’m writing and also of the comments I leave for others. There are those blogs that I’ve read (and I’m trying to read A LOT of other blogs) and not found interesting, so I just move on. It seems logical that different posts will appeal to different people, and isn’t that the point? Your post is important because it TEACHES how to behave appropriately while commenting. As a newcomer, I’ve wondered if my posts are appropriate, interesting, well written and it’s the positive encouragement left in the comments that keeps me writing. Thank you for your wonderful and educational post. I will add you to my bloglines.