1. How Libraries are Using Web Logs Public Libraries in the USA July 2005 Presentation for MLA 2005 Jennifer Crispin

2. Weblog "a website that is updated frequently, with new material posted at the top of the page.” Rebecca Blood, Weblog Historian

3. Overview of Previous Research Blog Without a Library Cites and Insights Weblogg-ed Most research combines library blogs with blogs by librarians

4. Criteria for Inclusion US Public Library Blog Format or Software

5. Sources Libdex- –23 Weblogs –13 Active Open Directory –10 Weblogs –3 Active Blog Without a Library –101 Web Logs –69 Active

6. What is Active? Post(s) after June 30, 2005 Some “active” weblogs had no posts in July

7. Points about Data Collection Not as user, but as researcher July 2005 is random choice

8. Weblogs Weblogs 31 States 101 Libraries 136 Weblogs

9. Active Compared to Inactive

10. Active Weblogs 29 States 88 Libraries 89 Weblogs 808 entries in July 2005 Ave. 9 entries per weblog

11. Active Libraries: Start Date 37 in 2005 31 in 2004 9 in 2003 1 in 2002 1 in 2001 4 undetermined

12. Active Blogging Libraries by State

13. Active Weblogs, by State

14. Host Information 44 on Blogspot 36 hosted by Library 9 on Other –Typepad, Livejournal, lishost, etc

15. Blogging Software 58 on Blogger 12 on Movable Type 5 on Word Press 14 on Other

16. Blogging Software

20. Audience

21. Topics Book Reviews (42 of 89) New Book Information (42 of 89) Library Staff News (32 of 89) Library Events (65 of 89) Community Events (31 of 89) Other (25 of 89)

22. Outstanding Web Logs Oldest Consistently Updated Web Log –Wilton Library Lines http://www.wiltonlibrary.org/liblines/librarylinesindex.asp Most entries in July 2005 –Sellers Library Teen Page, 67 http://sellerslibraryteens.blogspot.com/ Most comments in July 2005 –Sellers Library Teen Page, 14 http://sellerslibraryteens.blogspot.com/

23. Missouri Library Web Log Missouri River Regional Library Expansion Blog http://www.mrrl.org/expansion/blog/ Started April 2005 20 entries 24 comments

24. Is a Blog Right for Your Library? Don’t start a blog because your colleagues elsewhere think it’s cool. Start a blog if it’s right for your community.

25. Things a Library Blog Must Have Street address. Other contact information Link to library page Names of authors. Consistent Updates!

26. Blogs Take Time 20 minutes a day Job duty Spread the work

27. Cautions 404 Pages Abandoned Comment spam Represent the library

28. Abandoned Blogs Why so many? Lack of time Lack of interest Blogging librarian moves

29. Blog Software http://www.blogger.com http://www.movabletype.org http://www.wordpress.org

30. Blog Directories http://www.blogwithoutalibrary.net/ http://www.libdex.com/weblogs.html

31. More Resources http://www.jennifercrispin.com –Presentation File –List of Weblogs Studied –Links to Resources