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BLOGS: Rethinking Library Outreach

BLOGS: Rethinking Library Outreach. What is a Blog. “A weblog, or blog, is an interactive online journal” 1 , that allows for the exchange of thoughts between the author and the authors audience. The Growing Community of Blogs .

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BLOGS: Rethinking Library Outreach

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  1. BLOGS: Rethinking Library Outreach

  2. What is a Blog “A weblog, or blog, is an interactive online journal”1, that allows for the exchange of thoughts between the author and the authors audience.

  3. The Growing Community of Blogs • According to the website Technorati http://www.technorati.com/about/), as of September 13th, 2006, the website is currently tracking 53.9 million blogs. • In addition the website states there are about 75,000 new blogs a day and about 1.2 million posts daily, or about 50,000 blog updates an hour2.

  4. Why Should Libraries create a Blog? • Programming: Blogs create an interactive flow of information to the public. Informing them of programs, special events, and meetings. • Communication: Blogs encourage two way communication. Both patrons and librarians can exchange thoughts, comments, and concerns.

  5. Four Possible Applications of Blogs • Professional Blogs • Programming Blogs • Readers Advisory Blogs • Collection Development Blogs

  6. Professional Blogs • Professional Weblog: Exchange thoughts and ideas with other library professionals. • Communicate instantly with colleagues on current issues, problems, and questions. • Free Range Librarian http://freerangelibrarian.com/ • Library Stuff http://www.librarystuff.net

  7. Programming Blogs • Programming Blog: Provides a list of upcoming events for patrons. • Hennepin County Library http://www.hclib.org/teens/NewsFlashBlog. • Harford County Public Library http://www.hcplonline.info/weblog/hcplnews.html

  8. Readers Advisory • Readers advisory: Assist patrons in finding books that might interest them and/or provide an online book club complete with patron feedback. • Memphis Reads http://memphisreads.blogspot.com/ • Madison Jefferson County Public Library http://mjcpl.org/

  9. Collection Development Blogs • Blogs that provide a way to display new books, receive comments, and ultimately develop a library collection based on what your patrons want. • Library Thing http://www.librarything.com • Shenandoah Public Library http://www.shenandoah.lib.ia.us/

  10. Blogging for Librarian: How to Start • Create a practice blog at one of the free weblog sites. • Read literature, websites, and examine other blogs for ideas. • Examples of free blog sites: http://www.blogger.com http://blog.com/ • Sample Test Blog: http://libraryblogtest2.blogspot.com/

  11. Pitfalls of Blogs: How to avoid them • Discuss with your colleagues on having a blog that does not allow feedback and/or who is allowed to create/post new topics. • Develop your library policy to reflect library blogs and staff/patron feedback. • Keep it professional: don’t be tempted to change policy through blog postings.

  12. Advanced Blogging: Whats Next • RSS or APP Feeds: Create a Really Simple Syndication or Atom Publishing Protocol feed to allow patrons to monitor new information. • Vlog: Short for video web log/blog. • Podcasting: A way to distribute mp3 files via syndication feeds that deliver updated content to the users.

  13. RSS Feeds: A simple solution for keeping your patrons informed • RSS feeds are a must for any library blog. They allow patrons to quickly obtain new information about the library without ever having to visit the library in question. • Example of an RSS news aggregator and how it works: http://my.yahoo.com/ • Example of a inexpensive feed provider: http://www.feedburner.com/

  14. Vlogs and Podcasting:The next Library blog revolution? • Example: http://googlevideo.blogspot.com/ • Growing audience: As of September 13, 2006, over 20,890 video and podcast feeds are listed on mefeedia.com. (http://www.mefeedia.com) • Provide recordings of current and archived programming for patron viewing. • Provide information about the library, upcoming events, recorded sessions of library board meetings.

  15. Bibliography 1.Rick Margolis, “Jump on the Blogwagon”, School Library Journal, August 2005, Vol. 51 Issue 8, p11-11, 1p 2. Michael Stephens, “Blogs”, Library Technology Reports, July/August 2006, Vol. 42 No. 4, pg 15-35, 22p

  16. Websites to Review • Syndicated Feed History Information with Code.http://www.xml.com/pub/a/2002/12/18/dive-into-xml.html • Blog software reviews. http://www.idealware.org/blogging_software/ (registration for free copy required) • List of public libraries that blog. http://www.blogwithoutalibrary.net/links/index.php?title=Public_libraries • RSS software reviews. http://www.download.com/RSS-Tools/3150-9227-0.html

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