weblogs opportunities for special libraries

Weblogs Opportunities for Special Libraries

Darlene FichterUniversity of Saskatchewandarlene.fichter@usask.ca

Saskatoon, SK

June 17, 2004

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?

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)

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…

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?? worldwideCan you guess what South American country

is a hotbed for blogs?

Blogs and RSS are in the limelight

Lots of media hype Google bought Blogger Blogging conferences Tracks at law and library

conferences

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

Live Demo

Create a new blog Name it

Choose a design template Post an entry

www.blogger.com

Exploring weblog features

Let’s take a look beSpacific.com

Accurate, focused law and technology news

By Sabrina Pacifici www.bespacific.com

Date

Headline

Topics

Permanent Link

Archives

Blogroll

Syndicate

Email Subscription

Other features

Draft mode Off line editing Spellchecking Timed release Long entries Comments Multiple blogs Track back

Toolbar or bookmarklet

Integrated news reader

10 ways libraries use blogs

1. News Recommend internet sites & tools

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

Get interactive

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

Staff

4. Communication & Collaboration Staff development

Fact sheets on new electronic resources Reference desk binder?

Database Trials and comments Database of login info

Share knowledge - KM

Best practices – “know-how” Use for a committee, enable the

“comment feature” Presentation Blogging for Knowledge

Exchange

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

10 ways …

7. Professional / personal development Reflective nature, adds focus

8. Résumé Professional blog Write about your interests and what you find

interesting

Reveal your expertise

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

Syndicate your content: RSS

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

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?

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

Comparison Chart of Installed Software

http://www.asymptomatic.net/blogbreakdown.htm

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]

Thank you! Darlene Fichter

University of Saskatchewan Library darlene.fichter@usask.ca