1. Publishing independent authors from around the world…

2. 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

3. 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

4. CREATING A WEBLOG  It’s as easy as 1-2-3…  Create an account (www.blogger.com)www.blogger.com  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!

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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: http://annoyedlibrarian.blogspot.co m/)

8. 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 http://www.infotoday.com/mls/nov03/fichter.sht ml. http://www.infotoday.com/mls/nov03/fichter.sht  Google (2008) Create a blog in three easy steps. Retrieved February 8, 2008 from https://www.blogger.com/start. https://www.blogger.com/start  Joyce, C.A. (140 th ed.) (2007). The world almanac and book of facts 2008. New York: World Almanac Books.  Stone, B. (2002). Blogging: Genius strategies for instant web content. Indianapolis, IN: Pearson Education.