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  According to the website Technorati as of September 13 th, 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 hour 2.

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.

Four Possible Applications of Blogs  Professional Blogs  Programming Blogs  Readers Advisory Blogs  Collection Development Blogs

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  Library Stuff

Programming Blogs  Programming Blog: Provides a list of upcoming events for patrons.  Hennepin County Library  Harford County Public Library s.html s.html

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  Madison Jefferson County Public Library

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  Shenandoah Public Library

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:  Sample Test Blog:

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.

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.

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:  Example of a inexpensive feed provider:

Vlogs and Podcasting:The next Library blog revolution?  Example:  Growing audience: As of September 13, 2006, over 20,890 video and podcast feeds are listed on 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.

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

Websites to Review  Syndicated Feed History Information with Code.  Blog software reviews. (registration for free copy required)  List of public libraries that blog. es es  RSS software reviews.