Publishing independent authors from around the world…
A website where one can publish their own thoughts and have a world wide audience Items and updates are usually displayed in reverse chronological order A place for journal entries, political thoughts or general commentary
HISTORY (1991-Present) Basic weblogs show up around 1991 In 1999, weblogs become mainstream through the release of automated blogging websites (i.e. Blogger & Blog*Spot) Blogging explosion after 9/11/01 Blogger becomes the second most visited website (123,892)* * Number of visitors, in thousands, who visited Website at least once in July 2007
CREATING A WEBLOG It’s as easy as 1-2-3… Create an account ( Name your blog (Librarians are the coolest...)Librarians are the coolest... Choose a template (or if you’re into HTML, create your own!) Type in your information/comment Click Publish!
ACCESS & DESIGN CONTROLS Would you like your blog accessed by the world or just your friends? Have total control over what posts to keep, trash or hide Get creative with custom colors, fonts, drag & drop page elements and photos Need to have access from your cell phone? Blogger-On-the-Go Some new phones come with this feature automatically
BLOGS & LIBRARY PROFESSIONALS New way to market programs and services New way to involve other “types” of users Subscription options Go directly to user’s mailbox Automatic archival abilities Daily, weekly, yearly Search capabilities User’s can search old archives for information
SO WHAT?? Top 3 reasons to create a blog… Connect with new people…possibly new library users?? Get Creative!! Be Heard!! (for some alternative views & fun regarding libraries visit: m/)
REFERENCES Fitchter, D. (2003). Why and how to use blog’s to promote your libraries services. Computers in Libraries, 17, 6. Retrieved March 19, 2008 from ml. Google (2008) Create a blog in three easy steps. Retrieved February 8, 2008 from Joyce, C.A. (140 th ed.) (2007). The world almanac and book of facts New York: World Almanac Books. Stone, B. (2002). Blogging: Genius strategies for instant web content. Indianapolis, IN: Pearson Education.