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Weblogs Opportunities for Special Libraries

June 17, 2004. Saskatoon, SK. Weblogs Opportunities for Special Libraries. Darlene Fichter University of Saskatchewan darlene.fichter@usask.ca. Overview. What are blogs? How you can use them? Focus on library, intranet, and employee blogs, not “personal” blogs

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Weblogs Opportunities for Special Libraries

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  1. June 17, 2004 Saskatoon, SK Weblogs Opportunities for Special Libraries Darlene Fichter University of Saskatchewan darlene.fichter@usask.ca

  2. Overview • What are blogs? • How you can use them? • Focus on library, intranet, and employee blogs, not “personal” blogs • What features should you look for?

  3. What is it? Blog/ Weblog is • A web page containing brief entries arranged chronologically • Can be a a journal or diary, ‘What’s New’ page or links to other web sites “To me, the blog concept is about three things: Frequency, Brevity, and Personality.” Evan Williams (creator of Blogger)

  4. Terminology • Blogger – person who maintains a blog • Blogging – the act of creating a blog • Blogrolling – moving form blog to blog • Blogrolodex – a listing of other blogs • Blawgs, Klogs, Trackback, Ping, Permalink, Blogarrhea…

  5. Blogging explosion • 2000-2003 • Tools that made it easy to publish • No need to know HTML • No need to know FTP • Add / edit content anywhere, anytime • Dozens of features – dynamic, quick and easy to develop • Millions?? worldwide Can you guess what South American country is a hotbed for blogs?

  6. Blogs and RSS are in the limelight • Lots of media hype • Google bought Blogger • Blogging conferences • Tracks at law and library conferences

  7. Blogger.com 1. Login in to an account on • www.blogger.com 2. Create a new entry. 3. “Post and publish” 4. Display the entries in a “news” column on a subject directory

  8. Live Demo • Create a new blog • Name it • Choose a design template • Post an entry • www.blogger.com

  9. Exploring weblog features • Let’s take a look • beSpacific.com • Accurate, focused law and technology news • By Sabrina Pacifici • www.bespacific.com

  10. Date

  11. Headline

  12. Topics

  13. Permanent Link

  14. Archives

  15. Blogroll

  16. Syndicate

  17. Email Subscription

  18. Other features • Draft mode • Off line editing • Spellchecking • Timed release • Long entries • Comments • Multiple blogs • Track back • Toolbar or bookmarklet • Integrated news reader

  19. 10 ways libraries use blogs 1. News • Recommend internet sites & tools

  20. Promote it! 2. Marketing • Promote library events and programs • Promote new materials • New Books • New Videos • Let visitors subscribe via email • Distribute headlines (RSS) • My Pick: Announce movies, • link to trailers, reviews

  21. Get interactive 3. Talk back • Books you like • Let users post reviews and comments • Library consortia collaborative space

  22. Staff 4. Communication & Collaboration • Staff development • Fact sheets on new electronic resources • Reference desk binder? • Database • Trials and comments • Database of login info

  23. Share knowledge - KM • Best practices – “know-how” • Use for a committee, enable the “comment feature” • Presentation Blogging for Knowledge Exchange

  24. IT and budget crunch? 6. Automate web drudgery • Web site links • Track web site links under review for adding to catalog or best sites • Tips: • Enable the comment button. • Choose a blog that archives by “topic” and use it for your links • Digital document repository

  25. 10 ways … 7. Professional / personal development • Reflective nature, adds focus 8. Résumé • Professional blog • Write about your interests and what you find interesting

  26. Reveal your expertise

  27. Solve email overload 9. Kill Inbox Glut with Blogs and RSS • Project Tracking and Management • Provides a record in one place for a team of decisions, next steps • Points for discussion or comment • Episodic information • New Books • Acquisition spending reports

  28. Syndicate your content: RSS 10. Use a blog to maintain your what’s new page, then syndicate your content with RSS to the portal

  29. Corporate Libraries: Special Considerations • Inside the firewall • Local installation (link in resources handout to comparison of programs) • Sharing with some employees outside the main office/firewall • Look for blog posting via email • Look for email notification • Usually email will travel in/out • Hosting blogging applications do have “private” options” • Is this enough?

  30. Hosted vs. Installed Blog Software • Hosted • Be sure to choose a “free” service where you can FTP your files locally, OR export them • Avoid loosing your files when free service closes • More advice on choosing: • Blogging Software for Intranet Applications. ONLINE, January 2003

  31. Comparison Chart of Installed Software • http://www.asymptomatic.net/blogbreakdown.htm

  32. Finding out more • Weblogs Compendium • www.lights.ca/weblogs/ • Library Weblogs • www.libdex.com/weblogs/ • Why and How to Use Blogs to Promote Your Library's Services,Marketing Library Services, Nov/Dec 2003 [full text online]

  33. Thank you! • Darlene Fichter University of Saskatchewan Librarydarlene.fichter@usask.ca

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