Library Blogging

by Karen A. Coombs, Jason Griffey

Overview

Thinking of setting up a blog for your school, academic or public library? This book is for you!

• Learn all about the blogosphere and its place in your library.
• Learn the nitty gritty of setting up and hosting your library blog
• Find out just what you need in hardware and software to make your blog work like a charm
• See examples of groundbreaking uses for your library blog

This book is an overview of the world of blogs in libraries, including both use and technological discussions.The authors bring you the whys and how-to's of using a blog in a library context, including the different options available for a library blog, the appropriateness of each option, and the possibilities of each program or service.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781586833312
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/01/2008
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Karen A. Coombs serves as the Head of Web Services at the University of Houston Libraries.

Jason Griffey is an assistant professor, Reference & Instructional Technology Librarian at Lupton Library, University of Tennessee @ Chattanooga.

Table of Contents

Dedications ii

Table of Contents iii

Table of Figures v

About the Authors ix

Introduction x

Chapter 1 An Introduction to Blogs 1

What is a Blog? 1

History of Blogging 4

Why Blog? 7

Sociology of Blogging 8

Chapter 2 Why a Library Blog? 11

Blog as News Portal 12

Internal Communication 13

Academic Libraries 13

Public Libraries 16

School Libraries 20

Blogging Technologies Section 23

Chapter 3 Types of Blogs 23

Hosted Blogging Software 23

Server-based Blogging Software 25

Chapter 4 Hosted Blogs 27

Blogger 28

TypePad 28

LiveJournal 29

WordPress.com 30

Others 31

Chapter 5 Server-Based Blogging Solutions 33

WordPress 33

Movable Type 36

Others 40

Instructions/How to Section 43

Chapter 6 Wordpress.com How To 43

Setting Up a Wordpress.com Weblog 44

Customizing the Look and Feel 47

Pointers for Posting 48

Chapter 7 Blogger How To 55

Introduction 55

Setting Up a Blogger Weblog 56

Customizing the Look and Feel 60

Semi-Hosted 63

Chapter 8 WordPress How To 65

Chapter 9 Movable How To 71

Installing Movable Type 72

Blogging Basics 79

Customizing the Look and Feel 80

Pointers for Posting 82

Chapter 10 Related Technologies 85

Syndication 85

RSS 86

Atom 91

Feedburner 98

Feed Readers 101

Tagging 102

Mashups 104

Blogging Different Types of Media 106

Photoblogging 106

Podcasting 107

Videoblogging 108

Creative Commons 109

Chapter 11 What is Possible with a Blog? 111

Blogs for News 111

Blogs for Internal Communication 119

Organizational Blogs 121

Chapter 12 Blog Culture 127

Blog Code of Conduct 129

Community 130

Being Native 131

Chapter 13 Future Possibilities 133

Summary145

Appendix: Blogging Tools 146

Glossary 147

Index 149

Editorial Reviews

…For those in a school setting, this slim volume provides not only the foundation (by defining blogging, providing examples, and giving the rationale for the necessity of having one in an academic setting), but also the nuts and bolts for creating and hosting school library blogs. The authors give basic information, so even novices will be able to understand not only the terminology, and be able to differentiate types of blogs, but will also gain skills in setting them up.” —School Library Jourbanal

“This is a very informative book for librarians who want to know about blogs, whether they are beginning bloggers or someone who plans to set up a library blog. The detailed directions are easy to understand and follow. Numerous examples provide even a casual reader with knowledge they can use. Many examples of how blogs are used in libraries, both for internal and patron use, at all types of libraries are provided in the book. In many cases, a screen shot is shown and the URL is given. These links are very helpful in understanding what outstanding library blogs look like. Technical information about how to set up and maintain a weblog is given, including different types of tools that can be used for creating blogs. There is also information about the ways a blog can be hosted, including costs and how to find free blog hosting sites. The related technologies that are available to use in a blog and how to use them are described. Because of its organization and clear headings, this book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to know more about blogging. Recommended.” —Library Media Connection

“Blogging is an increasingly popular way for libraries to announce and promote events and news, highlight new titles and materials in their collections, publish book reviews, and interact with and engage patrons in dialogue. Library Blogging is not only an easy to understand how-to guide that helps get libraries up to speed on blogging, but it also discusses reasons for blogging, as well as providing both real-world and inspirational examples. It includes well-illustrated examples and instructions, tips, and pointers, providing step-by-step instructions and help for libraries starting up a blog. Library Blogging includes information about the software needed to set up a blog, as well as a focus on best practices and expectations. This is an excellent introduction to blogging, especially as it relates to libraries, and will be of interest to any library staff interested in blogging by libraries or in starting their own library blog. Recommended for all libraries.” —The Tech Static

From the Publisher

Blogging books are starting to abound, but one targeted for use by K-12 library media and technology specialists are few in number. Michael P. Sauers's Blogging and RSS: A Librarian's Guide (Information Today, 2006) might be useful for background information, but for those in a school setting, this slim volume provides not only the foundation (by defining blogging, providing examples, and giving the rationale for the necessity of having one in an academic setting), but also the nuts and bolts for creating and hosting school library blogs. The authors give basic information, so even novices will be able to understand not only the terminology, and be able to differentiate types of blogs, but will also gain skills in setting them up. Chapters on using Blogger, WordPress.com, WordPress.org, and Movable Type are useful in their screen-shot presentations, but users must carefully read the text to find the instructions. A chapter on related technologies, such as syndication, RSS, XML coding, mashups, photoblogging, and podcasting, is provided for those who want to delve further into Web 2.0 technologies. Most useful are the chapters "Why a Library Blog?" "What Is Possible with a Blog?" and "Blog Culture." Librarians needing more in-depth instruction may have to purchase a book that deals exclusively with a particular blogging software.-Angela Washington-Blair, Emmett J. Conrad High School, Dallas, TX

School Library Journal