BlogIT: Blogging in the Library ConsiderIT with Colleagues: Teaching with Technology at UNC-Chapel Hill Suchi Mohanty and Jean Ferguson April 2, 2004

What Is a Blog? A dynamic website Generally written by one author or select group of authors Frequently updated, often daily Sometimes has a theme –Food –Law –News –Technology

What Is a Blog? Links to web sites related to the theme or of interest to the author Entries listed in chronological order, with most recent entry first Entries are dated and signed by author Entries are archived and sometimes searchable

Librarian vs. Library Librarians Who Blog About Themselves –42short: –Abada Abada : Librarians Who Blog About Libraries –librarian.net: –ResourceShelf:

Librarian vs. Library Libraries That Blog –UL: –Waterboro, ME Public Library:

House Undergrad Blog Purpose –Publicize library events –Publicize library-related issues –Reach out to remote users –Create a fun space for students to interact with the library

House Undergrad Blog Content –Library events –General announcements –New resources –News postings on library and academic issues –Fun stuff that amuses us and perhaps will amuse our patrons

House Undergrad Blog Authors –Reference librarians –SILS Graduate students working at the Reference Desk

House Undergrad Blog Value –Complements the Undergraduate Library’s mission of testing new technologies –Provides users with an informal place to find information about the library

House Undergrad Blog Challenges –Updating regularly –Responsibility of quality of links Citation Machine: –Maintaining interest –Developing a theme –Lack of ‘lead’ blogger

Future of Library Blogs Informal method of communication Could be interactive with use of comments or other method of user feedback Good forum for library advocacy Could create a community of core library users for gathering public opinion Fosters ties to other libraries or communities with similar interests