OPAL: Weblogs & Libraries
Presentation by Michael Stephens
(notes taken by Starr Hoffman)
6.15.06
Here are the notes in MS Word format: Library2-0ExtravaganzaNotes_6-15-06.doc
Some examples of Library Blogs
H20boro Lib Blog (public library)
Waterboro Public Library
http://www.waterborolibrary.org/blog.htm
- hosted by Blogger
WPLBookClub (public library, book club)
Waterboro Public Library
http://wplbookclub.blogspot.com/
- hosted by Blogger
- continue discussion of books online (after the monthly meeting in person)
Moraine Valley Community College (academic library)
http://www2.morainevalley.edu/default.asp?SiteId=10&PageId=231
- 4 different blogs, 1 interface
- the 4 blog titles:
- library news
- resources & search tips
- construction updates
- Frankenstein exhibit (temporary, event-driven blog)
blogwithoutalibrary.net
http://www.blogwithoutalibrary.net
- information on how to create a library blog
- provides a wiki listing library blogs, divided by type
- also provides examples of intranet blogs
Black History Month Blog
Virginia Commonwealth University (academic library)
http://blog.vcu.edu/blackhistory/
- only post to it during February of each year
- temporary but recurring (event-driven)
SJCPL Lifeline (public library)
St Joseph County Public Library
http://sjcpl.lib.in.us/blogs/lifeline/
- uses for news
Student Reflections on Night by Elie Wiesel
(blog by school librarian)
http://nightwiesel.blogspot.com/
- HS students in Michigan
- also cooperative with class in NY state
- place for students to discuss the book
- article in School Library Journal
Collaborative Blogs
- ALA TechSource (association/publishing blog)
- LibraryGarden
- techessence.info (with Meredith Farkas)
Other Association Blogs
- California Library Association Blog
- AASL (American Association of School Librarians)
- ACRLog (Association of College & Research Libraries)
Librarian Blogs
- Feel-Good Librarian
- (many others)
- for Starr Hoffman’s selections see:
Jakob Nielson’s “Weblog Usability: Top Ten Design Mistakes”
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/weblogs.html
10.17.05
- no author bios
- no author photos
- need both of these for the “human” factor
- nondescript post titles
- should be memorable
- links don’t say where they go
- “classic hits” posts are buried
- should have their own link on the side navbar
- calendar/archives = only navigation
- use categories
- irregular publishing frequency
- create an “information policy”
- could be daily, Tu/Th, weekly
- topics not mixed
- forgetting that you write for your future boss
- more relevant for librarian blogs, not library blogs
- being Googled—be sure that information won’t hurt you
- just hosted by Blogger
- get your own domain name
Hennepin County Library
- good example of librarian photos & bios
- Library 2.0 is about connections
- photos/bios give “humanity” to these librarians
Planning Steps
- who will blog?
- one person, staff, librarians, multiple users
- where will it live?
- Blogger, webhosting service, own domain / hosting
- what will you blog about?
- be specific about the content you plan to create
- can create several different kinds of content on one blog
- will you enable commenting?
- try it! you can always turn it off later
- training staff
Who will Blog?
- takes responsibility & time
- maybe place in someone’s job description
- “creates content for library website”
- look for people with interest, commitment, and dedication
- need writing & editing skills
- desire to reach out to users
Possible Content / Purpose
- news / information (communicate with your community)
- create transparency & presence
The strongest virtual communities have an in-person component.
| community = conversation + communication |
Some Related Publications by Michael Stephens:
- “Web 2.0 Best Practices for Social Software in Libraries” (TBP in July 2006)
- “Recent Research in Virtual Communities”
http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=11258
- online learning is enhanced by cohort & F2F (face-to-face) meetings
- cement online relationships by meeting in person
- similar to bloggers meeting at conferences
Transparency
- share how the library works
- share how resources are used
- share projects
- example: tell the community why they need a new library branch
- internal: communicate to staff what people do (LAN / IT, for instance)
Best Practices in Library Blogs
- read & evaluate as many library blogs as you can
- tametheweb.com pdf on best practices: “Evaluating LIS Weblogs”
- note what features you like / dislike
- great first step
Voice / Mission
- what is your library’s goal for this blog?
- how do you want to say it? (voice / tone)
- are you ready to speak & listen?
- leave blog up awhile before announcing it; test it out
- how will you promote it?
- need to respond to comments
Focus on Content
- create interesting & useful posts
- if you’re asked the same question 3x’s at the reference desk, perhaps that topic merits a post
- for instance, “Where is freshman orientation being held?”
Design
- create a seamless environment with your library website
- use same colors, layout, font, etc.
- use one “brand” or “wordmark” for your library name and be consistent
- choose a style guide (more on this later)
- usability: test a lot
- stay on top of tech advances
- (CSS, anyone?)
- consider making the blog the top page of your library’s site
- look at it in several browsers
- look at it on a PC and a Mac
Share Authorship
- 1-10 people
- spreads out writing duties
- need to agree on voice & mission (see previous)
Post Often & Succinctly
- not huge blocks of text
- write informally, but error-free (unlike IM)
- make users want to return / subscribe
Develop a Style Guide
- use the same guide for website, blog, and print resources (such as subject guides)
- example: print all titles in bold and italic: Pride and Prejudice
- continuity: use the same library name and/or abbreviation
Train Staff to Blog
- give them time to blog!
- give them handy “tag sheets”
- discuss what makes a good post
- if you are the administrator or director of the blog project, read it
- …and praise them
Incorporate your library blog into the library website.
Create Feeling of Transparency
- blog about projects, plans, & events
- “listen” to user comments
- respond
Ann Arbor District Library
- their front page is a blog
- have 6 or 7 different blogs on this site
- they talk with users through comments
- provide book reviews, thoughts, events, etc.
The Cluetrain Manifesto (business book)
by Christopher Locke, Rick Levine, Doc Searls, David Weinberger
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0738204315/002-5836999-6300804?v=glance&n=283155
The Catalog as Blog
Lamson Library
http://maisonbisson.com/blog/post/11133/
http://www.plymouth.edu/library/opac/record/1248313
- OPAC using WordPress (WPopac)
- users can tag
- create own keywords instead of formal subject headings
- folksonomy (more on this in Social Software session)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folksonomy
- unique, static URL for each item in the catalog
Subject Guide as Wiki
St. Joseph County Public Library
http://www.libraryforlife.org/subjectguides/index.php/Main_Page
- users can enter comments, adding their own suggested resources
Question/Answer Session
| (NOTE: paraphrased!) |
Has LIS scholarly publication changed as a result of blogging?
No; I would like to see professional blogs count as professional publication.
What about v-logs, audio-blogs, and podcasts? Will these eventually replace text blogs?
These new technologies are great, but text will likely endure.
What about corporate library blogs?
Difficult to view; usually behind a firewall.
Tips & Comments
Search Technorati to find popular library / librarian blogs.
Citing cycles in the biblioblogosphere
Second Life “photo” of Michael Stephens:
http://www.opal-online.org/Stephens200606photo2.jpg
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