BLOGS:BLOGS:

Rethinking Library OutreachRethinking Library Outreach

What is a BlogWhat is a Blog

““A weblog, or blog, is an interactive online A weblog, or blog, is an interactive online journal”journal”11, that allows for the exchange of , that allows for the exchange of thoughts between the author and the thoughts between the author and the authors audience. authors audience.

The Growing Community of BlogsThe Growing Community of Blogs

According to the website Technorati According to the website Technorati http://www.technorati.com/about/), as of http://www.technorati.com/about/), as of September 13September 13thth, 2006, the website is currently , 2006, the website is currently tracking 53.9 million blogs. tracking 53.9 million blogs.

In addition the website states there are about In addition the website states there are about 75,000 new blogs a day and about 1.2 million 75,000 new blogs a day and about 1.2 million posts daily, or about 50,000 blog updates an posts daily, or about 50,000 blog updates an hourhour22..

Why Should Libraries create a Why Should Libraries create a Blog?Blog?

Programming: Blogs create an interactive Programming: Blogs create an interactive flow of information to the public. Informing flow of information to the public. Informing them of programs, special events, and them of programs, special events, and meetings.meetings.

Communication: Blogs encourage two way Communication: Blogs encourage two way communication. Both patrons and communication. Both patrons and librarians can exchange thoughts, librarians can exchange thoughts, comments, and concerns.comments, and concerns.

Four Possible Applications of BlogsFour Possible Applications of Blogs

Professional BlogsProfessional Blogs Programming BlogsProgramming Blogs Readers Advisory BlogsReaders Advisory Blogs Collection Development BlogsCollection Development Blogs

Professional BlogsProfessional Blogs

Professional Weblog: Exchange thoughts Professional Weblog: Exchange thoughts and ideas with other library professionals.and ideas with other library professionals.

Communicate instantly with colleagues on Communicate instantly with colleagues on current issues, problems, and questions.current issues, problems, and questions.

Free Range Librarian Free Range Librarian http://freerangelibrarian.com/http://freerangelibrarian.com/

Library StuffLibrary Stuff

http://www.librarystuff.nethttp://www.librarystuff.net

Programming BlogsProgramming Blogs

Programming Blog: Provides a list of Programming Blog: Provides a list of upcoming events for patrons. upcoming events for patrons.

Hennepin County Library Hennepin County Library http://www.hclib.org/teens/NewsFlashBlog.http://www.hclib.org/teens/NewsFlashBlog.

Harford County Public LibraryHarford County Public Library

http://www.hcplonline.info/weblog/http://www.hcplonline.info/weblog/hcplnews.htmlhcplnews.html

Readers AdvisoryReaders Advisory

Readers advisory: Assist patrons in finding Readers advisory: Assist patrons in finding books that might interest them and/or books that might interest them and/or provide an online book club complete with provide an online book club complete with patron feedback. patron feedback.

Memphis Reads Memphis Reads http://memphisreads.blogspot.com/http://memphisreads.blogspot.com/

Madison Jefferson County Public LibraryMadison Jefferson County Public Library

http://mjcpl.org/http://mjcpl.org/

Collection Development BlogsCollection Development Blogs

Blogs that provide a way to display new Blogs that provide a way to display new books, receive comments, and ultimately books, receive comments, and ultimately develop a library collection based on develop a library collection based on what your patrons want.what your patrons want.

Library ThingLibrary Thing

http://http://www.librarything.comwww.librarything.com Shenandoah Public LibraryShenandoah Public Library

http://www.shenandoah.lib.ia.us/http://www.shenandoah.lib.ia.us/

Blogging for Librarian: How to StartBlogging for Librarian: How to Start

Create a practice blog at one of the free weblog Create a practice blog at one of the free weblog sites. sites.

Read literature, websites, and examine other Read literature, websites, and examine other blogs for ideas. blogs for ideas.

Examples of free blog sites: Examples of free blog sites: http://www.blogger.comhttp://www.blogger.comhttp://blog.com/http://blog.com/

Sample Test Blog: Sample Test Blog: http://libraryblogtest2.blogspot.com/http://libraryblogtest2.blogspot.com/

Pitfalls of Blogs: How to avoid themPitfalls of Blogs: How to avoid them

Discuss with your colleagues on having a Discuss with your colleagues on having a blog that does not allow feedback and/or blog that does not allow feedback and/or who is allowed to create/post new topics.who is allowed to create/post new topics.

Develop your library policy to reflect library Develop your library policy to reflect library blogs and staff/patron feedback.blogs and staff/patron feedback.

Keep it professional: don’t be tempted to Keep it professional: don’t be tempted to change policy through blog postings.change policy through blog postings.

Advanced Blogging: Whats NextAdvanced Blogging: Whats Next

RSS or APP Feeds: Create a Really RSS or APP Feeds: Create a Really Simple Syndication or Atom Publishing Simple Syndication or Atom Publishing Protocol feed to allow patrons to monitor Protocol feed to allow patrons to monitor new information.new information.

Vlog: Short for video web log/blog. Vlog: Short for video web log/blog. Podcasting: A way to distribute mp3 files Podcasting: A way to distribute mp3 files

via syndication feeds that deliver updated via syndication feeds that deliver updated content to the users. content to the users.

RSS Feeds: A simple solution for RSS Feeds: A simple solution for keeping your patrons informedkeeping your patrons informed

RSS feeds are a must for any library blog. RSS feeds are a must for any library blog. They allow patrons to quickly obtain new They allow patrons to quickly obtain new information about the library without ever information about the library without ever having to visit the library in question. having to visit the library in question.

Example of an RSS news aggregator and Example of an RSS news aggregator and how it works: how it works: http://my.yahoo.com/http://my.yahoo.com/

Example of a inexpensive feed provider: Example of a inexpensive feed provider: http://www.feedburner.com/http://www.feedburner.com/

Vlogs and Podcasting:The next Vlogs and Podcasting:The next Library blog revolution?Library blog revolution?

Example: Example: http://googlevideo.blogspot.com/http://googlevideo.blogspot.com/ Growing audience: As of September 13, 2006, Growing audience: As of September 13, 2006,

over 20,890 video and podcast feeds are listed over 20,890 video and podcast feeds are listed on mefeedia.com. (on mefeedia.com. (http://http://www.mefeedia.comwww.mefeedia.com))

Provide recordings of current and archived Provide recordings of current and archived programming for patron viewing.programming for patron viewing.

Provide information about the library, upcoming Provide information about the library, upcoming events, recorded sessions of library board events, recorded sessions of library board meetings. meetings.

BibliographyBibliography

1.Rick Margolis, “Jump on the Blogwagon”, School Library Journal, 1.Rick Margolis, “Jump on the Blogwagon”, School Library Journal, August 2005, Vol. 51 Issue 8, p11-11, 1pAugust 2005, Vol. 51 Issue 8, p11-11, 1p

2. Michael Stephens, “Blogs”, Library Technology Reports, July/August 2. Michael Stephens, “Blogs”, Library Technology Reports, July/August 2006, Vol. 42 No. 4, pg 15-35, 22p2006, Vol. 42 No. 4, pg 15-35, 22p

Websites to ReviewWebsites to Review Syndicated Feed History Information with Code.Syndicated Feed History Information with Code.

http://www.xml.com/pub/a/2002/12/18/dive-into-xml.htmlhttp://www.xml.com/pub/a/2002/12/18/dive-into-xml.html

Blog software reviews. Blog software reviews. http://www.idealware.org/blogging_software/http://www.idealware.org/blogging_software/ (registration for free copy required)(registration for free copy required)

List of public libraries that blog.List of public libraries that blog.http://www.blogwithoutalibrary.net/links/index.php?http://www.blogwithoutalibrary.net/links/index.php?title=Public_librariestitle=Public_libraries

RSS software reviews. RSS software reviews. http://www.download.com/RSS-Tools/3150-9227-0.htmlhttp://www.download.com/RSS-Tools/3150-9227-0.html