Blogs & RSS Readers SCLS Staff

What is a blog? Contraction of the term Web Log Usually maintained by an individual Regular entries –Commentary –Descriptions of events –Other materials – like graphics or video Displayed in reverse chronological order

More Info on Blogs Project Play, Week 2 Why and How to use Blogs to Promote your Library Services by Darlene FichterWhy and How to use Blogs to Promote your Library Services Common Craft: Blogs in Plain EnglishBlogs in Plain English WebJunction article: Blogs for LibrariesBlogs for Libraries

Why blog? Announce events, programs, services React to an article, criticism, or praise Convey your message and identity Involve your community Close the feedback loop –Give results of fundraising or survey From Mobilizing Generation 2.0 by Ben Rigby, page 21

Poll Questions Do you have or contribute to a blog? Does your library have a blog? Do you read blogs (that you know of)? Do you subscribe to any blogs via or RSS feeds?

Sample Blogs Ivy’s blog –Share pictures, stories, updates with relatives and friends around the world –People can comment on blog postings –Posting pictures easier and faster than ing them CuteOverload –Started as a personal blog and became a phenomenon

SCLS Blogs SCLS Blogs Online Update Get in the Van Grants Know More LINK Update Technology Planning Teen Read O8 Wicked Cool Coming Soon! TechBits CE Programs

Library Related Blogs MADreads Unshelved Librarian.net Free Range Librarian LibrarianinBlack The Shifted Librarian –Many more can be found on the Blogging Libraries Wiki Blogging Libraries Wiki

How to blog Determine your audience –Community? Staff? Family & friends? What type of content do you want to share? –MADreads vs Check it OutMADreadsCheck it Out Who is the writer? All staff? Just the director? Schedule?

How to Blog, part 2 Software –Some blogging software is free – but they often have paid versions with more features –A few examples Blogger (from Google) TypePad WordPress MovableType

SCLS can help! Contact Rose Ziech, Web Services SpecialistRose Ziech Can help you set up a TypePad account to get you started See the Blogs pageBlogs

RSS and Newsreaders Project Play, Week 3 RSS = Really Simple Syndication –Like broadcast syndication for your favorite tv shows but for blogs CommonCraft: RSS in Plain EnglishRSS in Plain English RSS for Librarians by Stephen CohenRSS for Librarians This icon is becoming the standard for RSS =

RSS Icons

Subscribing to feeds You may already be doing this… Do you have a MyYahoo page? Or a customized page from your Internet Service Provider? Here’s my ATT/Yahoo page – all this content is from RSS feeds Aggregators

Using Google Reader Need a Google account Add subscriptions Organize them Bookmark Google Reader Check feeds regularly –Can get addictive –I’ve started checking once per day

Let’s add this blog Seth Godin’s blogblog

Why use a feed reader? After initial set up, can save you time Keep current on various topics Alternative to (in some cases) From Kerri H. – – is the important things that need immediate attention –Blogs can wait – not an immediate need, like the icing on the cake

What next? Sign up for a blog reader – or two Try them out and choose which one works for you Subscribe to some blogs Read them – add to your daily or weekly schedule Share them – if you find something of interest, talk about it on your own blog But, don’t feel guilty if you don’t get to them – can mark all read!

Questions? Comments? Thanks for coming!