Planning Library Blogs

Creating Usable Blogs

Jumpstarting Your Library Weblog

Read Jakob Nielsen’s Ten point ListLook at your library blog with new

eyesMake changes!

Jakob Nielsen on Weblog Usability

No Author BiographiesNo Author PhotoNondescript Posting TitlesLinks Don't Say Where They GoClassic Hits are BuriedThe Calendar is the Only NavigationIrregular Publishing Frequency

Jakob Nielsen on Weblog Usability

The Calendar is the Only NavigationIrregular Publishing FrequencyMixing TopicsForgetting That You Write for Your

Future BossHaving a Domain Name Owned by a

Weblog Service

http://www.hclib.org/

What have we learned?

Planning Steps

Who on your staff will blog?Where will your blog live (in-house or

hosted)?What will you blog about?Will you open up comments on blog

posts? If yes, who will monitor the comments and respond?

Create your blogTrain your staff

Who will blog?

Takes time – a staff responsibilityNatural fit with some positionsInterest, commitment, dedicationSkills

Writing and editing

Libraries & Weblogs:

Library Weblogs can be building blocks for communicating news and information

Transparency & presence can create interest and buy-in with staff and users

Communication + Conversation =

Community

Transparency

Sharing how the library works and how resources are used

Communicates to staff what people do

Creates community

Best Practices for Library Blogs

Best Practices for Library Blogs

Read and Evaluate as many blogs as you canTTW HandoutNote what features you like/dislikeGreat first step or jumpstart step

Best Practices for Library Blogs

Find your Voice/Develop a MissionWhat is your goal?How do you want to say it?Are you ready to speak & listen?

Best Practices for Library Blogs

Focus on ContentConfigure the blog then let it work for

you!Focus on creating interesting, useful

postsReach out to users with what

interests them

Best Practices for Library Blogs

Content, Yes, but Design Too!Create a seamless environmentUsability is important: test and test

againStay on top of tech advances

Best Practices for Library Blogs

Share authorshipDepending on your library’s size, 1-

10?Spreads out the writing dutiesAgree on “voice” and Mission

Best Practices for Library Blogs

Post Often and SuccinctlyUsers don’t want huge blocks of textWrite informally but error freeMake them want to return/subscribe

Best Practices for Library Blogs

Develop a Style GuideInsures correct usage amongst

authorsShould carry to print as well

Best Practices for Library Blogs

Train Staff to Blog*Teach them the technologyGive them handy tag sheetsDiscuss what makes a good postPraise them

* and give them time to do so!

Best Practices for Library Blogs

Incorporate the Blog(s) into your siteUse the same colors, look and feelLink between the blog and the

catalog, other pagesMake your front page the blog!

Best Practices for Library Blogs

Create a feeling of TransparencyBlog your projects & plansListen to your users via commentsRespond to your users