Publishing independent authors from around the world…

• A website where one can publish their own thoughts and have a world wide audience

• Items and updates are usually displayed in reverse chronological order

• A place for journal entries, political thoughts or general commentary

HISTORY (1991-Present)

Basic weblogs show up around 1991 In 1999, weblogs become mainstream through

the release of automated blogging websites (i.e. Blogger & Blog*Spot)

Blogging explosion after 9/11/01 Blogger becomes the second most visited

website (123,892)** Number of visitors, in thousands, who visited Website

at least once in July 2007

CREATING A WEBLOG

It’s as easy as 1-2-3… Create an account (www.blogger.com) Name your blog (Librarians are the

coolest...) Choose a template

(or if you’re into HTML, create your own!) Type in your information/comment Click Publish!

ACCESS & DESIGN CONTROLS

Would you like your blog accessed by the world or just your friends?

Have total control over what posts to keep, trash or hide

Get creative with custom colors, fonts, drag & drop page elements and photos

Need to have access from your cell phone? Blogger-On-the-Go Some new phones come with this feature

automatically

BLOGS & LIBRARY PROFESSIONALS

New way to market programs and services New way to involve other “types” of users Subscription options

Go directly to user’s mailbox Automatic archival abilities

Daily, weekly, yearly Search capabilities

User’s can search old archives for information

SO WHAT?? Top 3 reasons to create a blog…

Connect with new people…possibly new library users??

Get Creative!! Be Heard!!

(for some alternative views & fun regarding libraries visit: http://annoyedlibrarian.blogspot.com/)

REFERENCES Fitchter, D. (2003). Why and how to use blog’s to

promote your libraries services. Computers in Libraries, 17, 6. Retrieved March 19, 2008 from http://www.infotoday.com/mls/nov03/fichter.shtml.

Google (2008) Create a blog in three easy steps. Retrieved February 8, 2008 from https://www.blogger.com/start.

Joyce, C.A. (140th ed.) (2007). The world almanac and book of facts 2008. New York: World Almanac

Books. Stone, B. (2002).Blogging: Genius strategies for

instant web content. Indianapolis, IN: Pearson Education.