1. Weblogs Opportunities for Special Libraries Darlene Fichter University of Saskatchewan darlene.fichter@usask.ca Saskatoon, SK June 17, 2004

2. 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?

3. 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)

4. 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…

5. 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?? worldwide Can you guess what South American country is a hotbed for blogs?

6. Blogs and RSS are in the limelight Lots of media hype Google bought Blogger Blogging conferences Tracks at law and library conferences

7. 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

8. Live Demo Create a new blog Name it Choose a design template Post an entry www.blogger.com

9. Exploring weblog features Let’s take a look beSpacific.com Accurate, focused law and technology news By Sabrina Pacifici www.bespacific.com

10. Date

11. Headline

12. Topics

13. Permanent Link

14. Archives

15. Blogroll

16. Syndicate

17. Email Subscription

18. Other features Draft mode Off line editing Spellchecking Timed release Long entries Comments Multiple blogs Track back Toolbar or bookmarklet Integrated news reader

19. 10 ways libraries use blogs 1. News Recommend internet sites & tools

23. 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

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

27. Staff 4. Communication & Collaboration Staff development Fact sheets on new electronic resources Reference desk binder? Database Trials and comments Database of login info

29. Share knowledge - KM Best practices – “know-how” Use for a committee, enable the “comment feature” Presentation Blogging for Knowledge ExchangeBlogging for Knowledge Exchange

32. 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

33. 10 ways … 7. Professional / personal development Reflective nature, adds focus 8. Résumé Professional blog Write about your interests and what you find interesting

34. Reveal your expertise

35. 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

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

37. 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?

38. 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

39. Comparison Chart of Installed Software http://www.asymptomatic.net/blog breakdown.htm http://www.asymptomatic.net/blog breakdown.htm

40. 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]full text online

41. Thank you! Darlene Fichter University of Saskatchewan Library d arlene.fichter@usask.ca d arlene.fichter@usask.ca