weblogs opportunities for special libraries
DESCRIPTION
June 17, 2004. Saskatoon, SK. Weblogs Opportunities for Special Libraries. Darlene Fichter University of Saskatchewan [email protected]. Overview. What are blogs? How you can use them? Focus on library, intranet, and employee blogs, not “personal” blogs - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Weblogs Opportunities for Special Libraries
Darlene FichterUniversity of [email protected]
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]
