WEB 2.0: BLOGS

Taught by Stefanie Gorzelsky

Characteristics of Web 2.0

Rich user interface Adapts to user to achieve his or her goal Looks and feels like a desktop application

Web as a platform Web is a place to do things

Users create value Sites are useful because of the materials that you put

there

Zimmerman, Stephanie. “Web 2.0? Wow!” http://socialwebhandson.wik.is/

Characteristics of Web 2.0

Blogs

Short for “Web Logs” Easy-to-use online publishing tool Lists content in reverse date order A great way to engage staff and library users in

conversation Interactive when comments are enabled

Zimmerman, Stephanie. “Web 2.0? Wow!” http://socialwebhandson.wik.is/

Blogs

Screenshot from http://www.theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2005/07/14/the_perfect_library_blog_example.html Information from http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/stories/2002/01/19/whatIsAShiftedLibrarian.html

Libraries who blog

American Library Association blogs http://wikis.ala.org/readwriteconnect/index.php/ALA_blogs

Pennsylvania Library Blogs

http://palibblogs.wik.is/ Blogging Libraries Wiki

http://www.blogwithoutalibrary.net/links/index.php?title=Welcome_to_the_Blogging_Libraries_Wiki

LIS Weblogs Wiki http://liswiki.org/wiki/Weblogs

Why blog?

Blogs are timely News and information can be posted and passed on

with minimal delay Blogs are accessible

Since they are designed for open access, content is easily read

Reach out to a wider audience – patron web presence Blogs are interactive

Staff can publish blogs, and patrons can comment

Sauers, Michael P. “Blogging and RSS: a Librarian’s Guide.” Information Today. Medford, New Jersey. 2007. P 6-8.

Blog Software

Windows Live Spaces

Creating Your Blog

Go to https://www.blogger.com/start Blogger is a Google tool

Must have a Gmail account. Can be accessed through the “My Account” feature

Step 1: Create an account

This is your Google email address

Your digital ‘signature.’ Choose something you would like to be ‘known’ as, either pseudonym or real name. Can be changed later.

Step 2: Name your blog

Blog title and Blog address can both be changed at a later date

Step 3: Choose a Template

Choose a design template for your blog This can be changed later Simply determines the look and arrangement of your

blog Click “Start Blogging”