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!

Systems Q's

Here is a preliminary list of questions to ask Systems...

Allowing comments:
We would like to allow user comments, but are a bit afraid of vulgar posts and negative experiences.
Is there a software package that could scan any comments to make sure they do not have inappropriate material in them before it was posted or would we need to review each post first?
Could/should we register only library card holders on our site?

Will we host on our own server?
Do we have the desire and the server space to host on our own?

What software will we need?
Do we use a free source or purchase a software package?
If purchase, where does that money come from?
Does it provide a means of tracking - # of posts, # of comments, # of readers?
Do we have space to archive all correspondence?

How do we get listed high on the search engines?

What about supporting vlogs, RSS feeds?

Will we link the blog from our main homepage? Individual department pages?

Do you have any input/opinions on design?

Training Staff:

Can the software or a designated person provide a training or tutorial to assist the staff who are blogging.

We Meet Again!

The Cyber Explorers gathered on Tuesday for more discussion and sharing on the topic of social software as it applies to libraries. The good news - we had 100% participation, the bad news - our IT consultation was unexpectedly postponed.

Here's a quick overview of how we spent our time together:

1. Wiki demonstration, courtesy of Sonya, who is experimenting with this tool in her Let's Talk classes.
2. Discussion of problems, issues, and techniques relative to co-authoring this blog.
3. Expressions of concern about security, control of comment-content, generation of adequate meaningful content, promoting blogs to targeted publics, designated staff-time and training, proof-reading of content for facts/grammar/spelling, consistency of style and format.
4. Molly & Melissa volunteered to act as liaisons with Systems; a comprehensive list of queries is being compiled.
5. Each committee member will solicit her own dept. peers for interest in contributing to a blog and for potential blog ideas within their service area. Cheryl will also approach Circ. and TS for input.
6. Pam will continue to research existing social software policies to assist with the creation of our own policy, when necessary.

It was agreed that the Cyber Explorers will meet again in two weeks time, on Feb. 5, from 3:30-4:15, at the same location. So far, we have come to one conclusion: The more closely this topic is examined, the more complex it becomes!

Blog, Blog, me do

Sorry for the overlap, same issues, some of the same answers.
Some of this may have been better as a comment but it is much too long and just easier to do it this way.

"What format and structure will the blog take on? Also, will there be one central library blog or multiple blogs for multiple departments? In which case, a central design theme could recur but each blog would have its own flair."

I believe that each department should have a blog and that they should each have their own look to appeal to their specific audience. In other words the children's page should have a style that will appeal to children and parents, the teen page should appeal to them and the adult page should appeal to them. However, they should all have one element that links them back to the library, such as the logo on the side. I don't think we want to limit colors or fonts. Maybe this could be left up to the departments, but for advertising programs I think we would want to be able to use fonts or colors to make the program information stand out from the normal day to day things. This is based on what I have seen on other library websites.

As far as length goes, I think Pam has a point and there is definitely a plus to brevity. I am not sure this would need to be a policy though, more of a guideline maybe. (you might think it does given the length of this post)

Multiple bloggers? What about Video/Pictures? Advertising and linking to the Blog?

Definitely! Of Course! and Why not?

Will we feature the blog prominently on the home page? Try to get linked from other library sites? How about allowing links within our blog?
Great questions. I would love when we launch the blogs to have them linked on the front page so people learn about them. Then after some time move them to their respective department pages. Advertising, I would say it depended on who we were advertising for. I would like to have the ability to link to lots of things like author sites, amazon, and the Indy star. It would be good to have a lot of local information on our blog.

Allowing comments?

I would really like to allow comments. I have a question for systems on this. Is there software that could scan any comments to make sure they did not have inappropriate material in them before it was posted or would we need to review each post first? Could we make them agree to some rules (basic ones such as language) before they post?

What about content?

I would also love to see variation in our content. Like Pam suggested maybe each person could have a specific topic to blog about, and definitely have book reviews with links to the authors official page.

What policies should we have?

Maybe the obvious should be stated in policy, what is obvious to me may not be obvious to others. Things like no inappropriate material and we would have to define what this means. I am really not worried with this but we should cover our back and we need to be clear. Are we going to limit what books could be reviewed and posted on the blog? I don't think we need to but it should be addressed. We should also make sure everyone keeps specific personal information out of their posts. Now I am not saying you can't talk about personal experiences but keep it vague. You would not want to say, "while I was driving past Walmart on 96th street on my way home". But you could say "while I was driving past Walmart (or a big box store)". We may also want to keep the content relevant to the library or library programs or at least relevant with a good laugh about shopping carts maybe thrown in here and there.
I think in the beginning we should have some basic guidelines. I really do feel like the fewer the rules the better. People would be less fearful to participate.

Yet more questions about libraries and blogging

I'm writing this after having just viewed the press coverage of the TeenZone's latest event. If you have a chance, check out the video footage of local teens hashing it out Guitar Hero style. And, while I know this isn't technically related to our topic of blogging, I mention it because what I saw raised a few more questions about our desired presence on the Internet.

So, below are my questions and some possible answers. (Sorry for the overlap Cheryl...great minds think alike!)

Basic Structure:
What format and structure will the blog take on? Also, will there be one central library blog or multiple blogs for multiple departments? In which case, a central design theme could recur but each blog would have its own flair.

Based on the examples of a number of other library blogs, there is a simplicity in having one central blog page from which users can access entries from a variety of posters (who could be individuals or departmental reps).

Conversely, having a unique style would be best for departments like TeenZone who's target audience will be looking for something different.

Length of posts? There should be some consistency and its probably best to err on the side of short (for instance, I think my post here is too long...and if it weren't for a committee I probably would have stopped reading!) Probably a paragraph or two is best, maybe certain posters could use more space.

Who will Blog and how often will updates be made?:
It was pretty much decided in the meeting that we are against centralized blogging...that is, more people should/could have the opportunity to blog. However, there should be an administrator (or multiple, maybe by department) that schedules entries and makes sure format stays the same. This will take the pressure off of one single individual as well as allow all interested parties to participate.

Another idea is to have people develop a blogging identity and then make an entry once a week. For instance in TeenZone, maybe one person could write about our recent successful events, almost like a newscast, then another person could discuss new books, and maybe another person could write about current/local events.

As we mentioned in the meeting, we need to develop a blogging schedule and stick to it. This is why multiple bloggers would be a good thing...that way we can still take vacations! So, as long as entries were made daily or every other day, the blog would remain relevant.

What about Video/Pictures?:
The Guitar Hero link above shows that newspapers are not asking for parental permission before posting footage and names of minors. At this point, we post pictures from events but don't use
names...will this become an issue on our blog?

I'm not sure of the legal answer to this question and I think that the greater concern would come from MySpace or Facebook accounts, however we should probably have a firm answer before we post any photos.

Allowing comments:
Should we allow users to comment on stories or create a running discussion?

Yes, given that the objective is to reach out to a new audience, I think this tool will be essential. Plus, allowing comments opens up possibilities like online book clubs and more.

Of all the policies I saw, my favorite allowed instantaneous posting privileges to registered users only. All other posts are reviewed by an administrator prior to posting. This won't remove all threat of 'language' or content issues, but I think it will make things more manageable.

Advertising and linking to the Blog:
Will we feature the blog prominently on the home page? Try to get linked from other library sites? How about allowing links within our blog?

If our goal is to reach new users in the virtual world, then we need to get our name out there. However, I would be in favor of a careful promotion scheme as we need to focus on our local patron base first. Perhaps at a later date we can expand and gain a wider recognition, but for the time being I don't think we can justify spending time and resources serving people who are not our taxpayers.

Will we host on our own server?:
This is entirely a Systems question. There is the advantage of removing the name of the blogging software from our address, but I don't think that is a big enough deal to warrant a greater expense or hassle. But, if it is doable, I would say hosting on-site is the best option.

Will we have to justify the time spent and the results?
Given that there are some people out there who would prefer for us to do no more than offer books, will developing an online presence be something that we will need to continually justify? If so, is a simple number count enough, or will we need to see greater attendance to programs and a higher circulation count? How will we track this and who will do it?

Questions re: library blog

Why do we want to blog?
Have a cyber presence
Casual form of sharing information about materials, services, programs, etc.
Real time response?
To attach a persona to the information going out
Reach out to them, where they are

Who will be writing the blogs?
Will we assign certain staff members to blog?
Or, assign staff members to oversee the process within their department?
Will we expect each department to provide some input?
Who will monitor the blog for content and language?
Will staff be allowed time to do so?

Who will be answering the blogs?
Will we require a log in?
Will they need to be a card holder?
Can we block them if they use inappropriate language or subject matter?

What software will we need?
Do we use a free source or purchase a software package?
If purchase, where does that money come from?
Ideas – Blogger, Blog City, Movable Type, Work Press
Does it provide a means of tracking - # of posts, # of comments, # of readers?
Do we have space to archive all correspondence?

Where would we house our blog?
HEPL website
MySpace
Facebook

When we would like to launch our blog?


How do we start?
Set policies for staff and users
Do we want outgoing and incoming capabilities?
How do we get listed high on the search engines?

Setting Sail in Uncharted Waters

One sure way to learn about blogs and blogging is to jump in and participate in this engaging and vital virtual community! Rather than using traditional e-mail and attachments to communicate, why not utilize the very technology being explored? As our fledgling group of CyberExplorers sets sail in what is uncharted waters for us, this blog will help us experiment with this resource's various nuances and options. Following, is a synopsis of our activities to date:

A small group of curious and adventurous library types gathered on Tuesday, Jan. 8, for the inaugural meeting of a new staff committee. Our self-identified members represent the following library departments: Administration, Adult Reference, Outreach, and Youth Services, http://www.hepl.lib.in.us. This group is charged with the task of investigating the Blogosphere and determining its suitability as a forum for promoting our own library resources and services and as a method of internal and external communication and collaboration. We were asked to consider some basic questions: who blogs, what do they blog about, what policies direct and control their postings, what examples can be found of library blogs?

In attendance were four of five initial "explorers," each of whom came armed with personal research, experiences, and impressions. During the 1-1/4-hour meeting, we shared our initial impressions and distributed distilled copies of individual findings. A free-form discussion ranged over multiple topics and related issues:

• Security vs. freedom of expression
• Purely informational format vs. allowing comments and dialogue
• Blog vs. Wiki
• MySpace vs. Facebook vs. YouTube
• Single authorship vs. collaborative authorship
• Staff time required vs. benefits of connecting with public
• Importance of training and designated work-time
• In-house hosting vs. free external host vs. fee-based host with extra options and controls
• One or two broadly focused blogs vs. multiple tightly focused ones
• Server capacity and technology issues
• Need for a systems committee member
• Importance of identifying goals, purpose, and focus for each blog posted
• Various potential audiences based on age, interest, etc.
• Internal vs. external applications
• Importance of posting frequently and professionally, with worthwhile content
• How many libraries are already actively engaged in various forms of social software
• Method of engaging untapped pool of patrons

As the meeting concluded, all agreed that many other libraries are already active in the Blogosphere; our library should work diligently to join the online community. We realized that the initial scope of our inquiry was inadequate to address the complexity and diversity of social software available for libraries. It was agreed that we should take time to read and digest the materials shared by fellow committee members over the next two weeks. We resolved to develop a more realistic set of queries and possible responses. We plan to meet again on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 4 PM, at the same location. At that time, we will continue to discuss and share thoughts and opinions as we move toward developing recommendations for the consideration of Department Heads and the Board.

It is hoped that this blog will facilitate ongoing dialog in the time between in-person committee meetings. Committee members should feel free to comment and add to this initial post. The blog will also serve as a resource for interested parties to monitor and gauge our progress toward fulfilling our purpose.