What about...

After I finish a post, I find something else to talk about or add....never fails.
Here's another:
What about user posted book lists on our blogs? Hennepin County (MN) has over 95 teen posted lists and they average 1,513 hits a week on these lists. I'm thinking this could be a huge hit, and it wouldn't have to apply only to Teens, adults could get in the game as well.
Check it out, see what you think!

Articles of Interest

Check out the February 15th Library Journal. There are two articles of interest; Take the RA Talk Online, discusses ways to offer reader's advisory virtually; and Pushing Circ with E-Service, describes ways to use blogging or other virtual environments to promote physical library services.

One library mentioned in the first article is the Williamsburg Regional Library. They offer an online form where patrons list extensive reading likes and dislikes, then a librarian compiles a comprehensive reading guide tailored to their needs. This could be an interesting, though time consuming, option for us.

Why blog for Teens?

Melissa did such a great job with the sample teen blogs, that much of what I have to say seems redundant! I’ve written out a sample mission and why blog statement, along with some potential ideas. You’ll notice that most of my ideas are already represented on Melissa’s blog, so look there for a visualization of what they could look like.

TeenZone Blogging Mission Statement:
The TeenZone Staff recognize that outreach via the Internet is an important component in Teen Services today. The TZ Blogs are designed to connect with teens interested in our programs and services as well as allow our teen patrons to interact with staff in an environment with which they are comfortable. It is the mission of the TeenZone bloggers to keep the blog up to date, informative and focused, as well as to maintain a comfortable environment for all users, including monitoring posts, removing offensive language and responding to all questions or concerns in a timely fashion.

Why Blog in the TeenZone?
For reaching a teen audience the better question is why not? The virtual world is just another way that we can connect with our patrons. The TZ Blog could be used to promote materials, advertise programs or connect patrons around similar interests. By reaching out to this online community we will certainly be doing no harm, and will most likely bring a new audience into the library.
Possible TeenZone blog topics

New Books- updated once a month, this would be a listing of new arrivals of note. We could draw from all areas of the collection and offer a link to the catalog where teens could place a hold, or request the item.

Staff Picks- Updated once a month, this would be a listing of each of our staff picks along with our reviews.

Programs- Updated once every two months (as e-vanced is updated) or when needed to make changes.

Book Discussions- This would be periodical, likely when popular books (like the upcoming Breaking Dawn) are released.

Volunteer Opportunities- Updated as needed, but would focus on TAB and other projects we have. Could offer a link to the Volunteer or TAB applications.

Make N Takes- We offer these regularly in the library. We could post the directions and materials list for those who do not have a chance to get one of the premade kits.

Teen Blogs

As we discussed I set up a sample blog. I started with one blog and quickly found out that one was not going to work well if we want to include book reviews. They dominate the blog and everything else gets lost. So I set up two sample blogs, one for reviews and one for programming and such. This looks much more organized and is easier to navigate imho.
I have linked them from each other and to the hepl site, there is no link from the library site to these. I also have not added a logo or decided how to spice it up.
Seeing it like this also makes me think that we will be better off listing each program as a post. It is easier to navigate that way. This also keeps each post short and sweet.

TeenZone
TeenZone-Book Reviews

Blogging with Administration

As we discussed, I have attempted to put together a list of topics that might be covered through blogs from Administation staff. I am certain there are many other subjects that would come along as we go deeper into the actual process, but this is my initial listing.

Director
1) Legislative updates
2) Appeals on behalf of the library

Marketing
1) General library news
2) Library events (system-wide)
3) Last minute closings
4) National Library Week news
5) New or revised policies and procedures
6) New services
7) News/updates from Systems, Circulation and/or Tech Services

Onward We Go – Meeting Three!

The Cyber Explorer’s Committee welcomed Systems Dept. Head Rob to the third bi-weekly meeting on Tuesday, February 05, 2008. Committee members in attendance were Molly, Melissa, Cheryl, and Pam. Sonya had a scheduling conflict but promises to keep current via e-mail and our blog; she is willing to assist with specific tasks as needed.

Rob was kind enough to entertain our litany of technology questions related to blogging, RSS feeds, etc. and encouraged us to conceptualize a blogging program that will fit the needs of the various HEPL departments. He assured us that once our plan is in place, the technology to execute it would be available.

Before the end of the year, Rob expects to have a new Content Management System (CMS) selected and in place. This would increase the ease of updating the library’s Web site and could be tailored to include blogging software as well, either as a component of the system or as a plug-in. His long-term preference would be to host the blog(s) on our own server, thereby allowing increased control, continuity, archive access, and branding. It was suggested that we begin by using Blogspot, or another free Web source initially and then transition to the CMS blog component when it is selected and installed. Any archives developed during that time could be shifted to our in-house plaform.

The response to our initial call for input from other staff members was disappointing. We surmise that many people are unfamiliar with blogs, making them reluctant to volunteer ideas or their participation. We will all continue to discuss the potential benefits of blogging within our departments and to foster its incorporation to the library’s tool-set.

Gloria, from Circulation, expressed an interest in joining our committee, through her supervisor, Rex. She was encouraged to attend the meeting but the invitation was extended through Rex and we are not certain that she received it; she did not attend. Molly will speak with Gloria directly to clarify her level of interest.

Our committee’s consensus is that a set of informal blogging guidelines, rather than a formal blog policy should in place before we go public with a library blog. We will collaborate to develop such a set of guidlines, drawing from the work of those libraries that have preceded us on the blogging adventure.

Action plan:
Melissa will begin work on designing a second “sample” blog with a focus on teens.
Each committee member will attempt to answer the question, “Why blog?” from their department’s perspective, incorporating topic ideas – the more the better – and posting frequency.
Each member will brainstorm to develop a mission statement for her department’s blog entries.

No future meeting was scheduled; we will continue to communicate via e-mail and utilize the blog. Future meetings will be scheduled as needed.

Web 2.0 and YOU as the person of the year

I just read an article in the Nov/Dec 2007 issue of Public Libraries magazine. Unfortunately, it is not available full text online (and I can make copies if anyone wants) but the majority of the article is available on one of the author's blog (cool, huh?) found here: David King's Web 2.0 Article.


Basically, the authors argue that the Web is now more about participation than dissemination (hence the reference to Time's naming of YOU as person of the year for 2006) and they offer strategies for public libraries to improve their blogs. Here are some of the ideas that I think are useful for us:

Write in a manner which invites participation. This is called a passive invitation and could be simply providing compelling content, a catchy or action oriented title, or web speak. All these strategies will increase the likelihood that someone will respond and start a dialog.

Allow commenting. If you moderate comments, do so in a very timely fashion. If patrons ask questions respond quickly! Use RSS feeds.

Post active invitations. These could be direct questions for public discussion, a broad based wiki about the best books of all time, or even services available via link clicking (which could be counted.)

Allow innovative user participation. One example listed involved patrons creating and filming their own stories, then posting them to the library's YouTube site.


Again, here are more ideas without solid, concrete directions, but I thought they were a worthwhile topic of discussion!