Common Craft: Blogs in Plain English
What in the world is a blog? Wikipedia has this to say: “A blog (a portmanteau of web log) is a website where entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. ‘Blog’ can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.”
Blogs can take many forms: individuals can use them to keep online journals or diaries; groups can use them to communicate with each other; institutions (like libraries) can use them to inform their audience and to provide a forum for discussion. Because blogs usually show the newest posts first, they can be excellent tools for presenting updates or new information. Many blogs also allow comments on posts, permitting two-way conversations to occur.
Explore these webpages for more information about blogs:
- Wikipedia explains blogs.
- Blogger’s tutorial guides you through the concept of blogs and the features of Blogger (see below).
Class Resources
Explore one or more of the following sample blogs:
- Ada Community Library’s website is built on open source blogging software. Only staff can post to the website, but anyone can comment on any of the posts.
- The Special Projects Library Action Team is a group of forward-thinking library employees throughout Idaho that all contribute to a collective blog to share information, experiences and resources.
- The @thelibrary blog by the Albertsons Library at Boise State University is a shining example of a Blogger hosted blog.
Explore one or more of the following free blog hosting websites:
- Owned by Google, Blogger is very easy to use and a great choice for first-time bloggers.
- Another easy-to-use blogging platform, Vox emphasizes optional privacy settings on posts and a huge selection of predefined designs.
- For more advanced bloggers, WordPress offers even more customization and advanced tools.
Class Assignment
Now it’s your turn! Create a blog using any free blog hosting website of your choice.
If you don’t have a preference or if you want to know where to begin, create a Blogger blog by following these three easy steps:
- Create a Google account. (view screenshot)
- Name your blog. (view screenshot)
- Select a template. (view screenshot)
If you create a Blogger blog, here are two things to remember:
- To create new posts: The maintenance interface that you will use to add posts, edit or change the setup of your blog is accessed online at http://www.blogger.com. Be sure to write down your login and password.
- To view your blog: Your blog address is http://(xxxx).blogspot.com, (xxxx)=the unique identifier you entered in Step 2. Be sure to also write down your blog address.
Once you’ve got your brand new blog, try creating a few posts. Then discuss your experience and, if you want, share your blog address with everyone. If you do, others can leave comments on your posts and create a discussion on your blog!
Extra Credit
If you really want to dive in, why not try blogging on the Idaho Commission for Libraries’ new website? Anne Abrams has provided some instructions about being a part of the New ICFL Web Site Launch!
I have successfully started a blog. Please see http://www.coordinateart.blogspot.com to see the results. I have blogged before at work….our cutting edge director, Katie Crill has inspired and encouraged us to learn and use all the tools of the “trade.”
Thanks Katie.
Jean
I enjoyed starting a blog. I feel that it gives me an opportunity to state my opinions on the different fantasy books that I’ve read. I hope that, once this really gets going, it will help those who haven’t read much fantasy know more about it. I would love for you to visit my blog and leave a comment or two at http://fantasyreads.blogspot.com/
I created my blog and tried to get a slideshow on it. I went and created a Flickr account and put pictures in it. Now how do I get that to show up on my blog?
Hi Becky – Thanks for the props on the banner for the @thelibrary blog. I created it using a graphics program and pictures of the the Albertsons Library.
Here’s one site you can use to get more info on creating your own blog banner: http://paulstamatiou.com/2005/11/06/how-to-make-a-blog-header-graphic.
Cheers,
Memo
Each blog can have different settings about who is allowed to comment. Some people only allow those with accounts to comment (to avoid comment spam) while others open up comments to everyone (like here on SPLAT). You should be able to toggle this setting somewhere on the admin pages.
As you’ve also discovered, some blog providers are more or less user-friendly. But there are so many out there, it can be worth trying a few out to find the right fit for you. I recommended Blogger because it’s so ubiquitous, but it definitely isn’t as user-friendly as some.
Okay, did that. http://randomsketchiness.blogspot.com/ Is your blog your homepage? Or does everyone else have another presence on the web? Am I still back in the 20th century? (That is what is known as a rheotircal question.) I did buy an iPod touch, maybe that could count toward 21st century citizenship.
So great that so many of you are having fun with blogging! I’ve been blogging for years on various different sites. My current work-related blog is on Blogger – librigirl.blogspot.com.
I’ve also been playing with WordPress for a class I’m taking. It’s pretty neat as far as options go but definitely more complicated to configure than Blogger or Vox.
I’m always impressed by the innovative ways the Commission brings such excellent and fun continuing education opportunities to the libraries of Idaho. We appreciate it! I’ve read many blogs in the past, but never set up one of my own. Thanks!
Judy Balcerzak, Nampa Public Library
I was surprised at how easy it is to actually set up a blog. The address is http://ocl-thelibrary.blogspot.com/ and I enjoyed typing about the stereotypical librarian.
Amazingly i created my own blog. I’m not a big fan of computers in general but slowly but surely I am getting the hang of some things.
We’re all doing SPLAT 101 at our library. We’re thinking about an internal BLOG and an internal Wiki where we can put out procedures manual and keep it up to date. Thanks for all the info!
I’m surprised how much fun creating my first blog was! Check it out at
http://blackfootsaddlemen.blogspot.com
Anyone that knows me will know it has to do with horses of course! Now I can’t wait to get more pictures posted and a lively discussion going. If you haven’t tried creating your own blog yet, do it! It’s easy and really fun. I used Blogger and it’s clear and simple step-by-step instructions took the fear out of it. Go ahead – give it a go!
My sisters and I are spread from Washington state to Washington DC. Blogs are the perfect way to keep in touch. I started my blog (with Blogger) about 4 months ago. It is so fun to put pictures of the kids as they loose teeth, start school, have birthdays, etc.
The one thing I do like is that I was able to add the security feature that only people that I invite can view my blog. This way I can sleep at night knowing that strange people are not looking at pictures of my children.
The one thing I have had problems with is that I like to type note/message up in Word first. But lately when I go to paste it in to post it I get an error message. Has anyone else had this problem, it does not happen every time?
I have enjoyed looking at some of the blogs from this class.
I would like to start one for the library about our book discussion groups and the books that we have read and currently are reading. Thanks for all of the ideas.
Being a private person, there is nothing I can think of to “BLOG”; however,
I may register on the ICL website later in the week. Thank you for all the helpful information. I may need to share it at the library sometime.
I agree. I have had to start over numerous times after failing to save.
I finally got my blog set up. I do have a question. Does anyone who wants to respond to my blog have to have a Google account? This is fun, but it is also frustrating. Some of the pages are not really user friendly.
Jeanne Wasko
Hi,
My name is Jeri Rardin and I am the Library Director for Clark County Idaho. I just created an account with Goggle “Blogger”. My address with Blogger is as follows…
clarkcountylibrayblogson.blogspot.com.
I found this to be fun. I have only begun to get started. I did find out that one needs to remember to SAVE before leaving.
Thank you,
Jeri
http://clearazmudd.blogspot.com/ is my address. I named it Random Thoughts…because that seems to be what I do most these days. I posted one blog…more to come. I thought it would be intimidating, because I’m kind of a sit back and observe kind of person, and I don’t usually open up to people at first. I am a better writer than speaker, so I figured…what have I to lose?? From a teacher perspective, I considered the purpose of writing…do I want to inform, entertain, inspire??? I figure entertainment is more my forte! It’s kind of fun!
I agree with this comment. There are uses for blogs i.e. mine reflects upon an MLIS class abroad and was for sharing the experience with others. I found the format (bloglines) I created this one in did not allow for comments so that was sad, but basically aside from checking a few reflecting my interests, blogs can be just another time consumer unless you really have something to say. This one was mine:
http://people.unt.edu/dbr0032/Idaho%20to%20Korea.html
I think I like to not be so available online with my personal thoughts in such quantity, it’s a bit like babbling too long in a room full of strangers.
Diane
Your blog is such a great idea. I wish schools would think about the bigger picture before they block new technologies like blogs and social networking sites. You can always send your Library Leaguers to the Library! at Collister to blog 🙂 I also especially like the book you picked to start the blog. Very apropos!
I totally appreciate your comments, as I have had my reservations about starting a library blog. The first comment from fellow librarians is “when would we have time?”. It would be really great if our managers could get involved by posting news from the monthly meetings, or upcoming events.
I also agree with giving the patrons a place to comment on book reviews, and even providing the library with ideas for new programs. Of course, this could become a complaint box too.
The reason I want to get involved, is to be able to communicate with those who use our services, and/or those who could benefit by using our informational services, particularly children and youths. Perhaps our target would be the children, via the school teachers, although if their school blocks out blogging, then where do we go???? As you can see, I have lofty goals, but am totally unsure if we can keep the blogging as a successful way to encourage more patronage at our local library. Time will tell…….
I was able to figure it out. There were some settings I had to do in Flickr, then there was the username issue. The username for the account is not the one you use when you sign in – it’s a series of numbers found after the URL for your pictures on Flickr. Mine was something like 12345@N67 Who would have known that? But it’s working now and it’s great!
Hi, everyone.
This is Gregory, the librarian at Hillside JHS in Boise. I’ve created a few blogs before, but more for experimental or learning purposes. In fact, when I signed on to Blogger, I discovered a blog I’d set up for a class a few years ago and forgot about.
I’ve long wanted to set up a booktalk blog for our school library, but unfortunately the school district blocks all blogs and wikis. This assignment has prompted me to set one up anyway, and for now kids will just have to access it from home or elsewhere if they want to play along. Meanwhile I’ll keep fighting the power! 🙂
You can take a look at my first mini-review (Little Brother by Cory Doctorow) at the Hillside Readers blog.
I have finally decided to become more aware of the capabilities of my computer. My blog is located at htt;://patriotlibrary.blogspot.com and it would be great to have any input for future elementary titles that are hard to keep on the shelf.
I have created my assignment blog and posted one comment. I am a tad bit confused about how all these blogs interact, or not. Does anyone know of a great visual representation of this?
As others have commented, I too am unsure about my words being “out there.” At this point, I don’t see a terribly practical use for a blog within my own world (personal or professional)but I’m ready to know more.
My blog is http://informationoverload-ldfb.blogspot.com
So, I’ve found a fun template for my blog but I want to know
How do I make one of those amazing headers like the one at @thelibrary blog with pictures or graphics?
I really appreciate you sharing this experience! I couldn’t agree more with your observations and recommendations for the “right” way to go about a library blog. As the webmaster for Ada Community Library, I’ve noticed this first-hand myself: staff must be given both permission and the expectation of blogging regularly for the library. It really does take an entire village, or an entire library in this case. I’ve struggled with making sure the entire library staff is included — and the most important factor I’ve found (which you mentioned) is that directors and managers need to set an example and actively encourage and enable their employees to contribute as well.
I too am a private person and don’t necessarily enjoy sharing much on-line. I have however read many blogs without posting to see what people say, mostly parenting issues. They are very helpful if you have a “stupid” question-usually someone just commented on it in one way or another.
I have set up a couple of blogs in the past few years, one for our high school library: http://lhslibrary.wordpress.com/ and one for personal use to let my family and friends see and hear about a trip I took to Africa: http://deweydoings.blogspot.com/ They are both pretty basic, but are growing as I learn more. It is surpisingly easy to get a blog started:)
I have created a few blogs of my own in the past and am familiar with blogging, so I decided to skip creating yet another blog for this course. I suppose I have yet to strike upon the “magical” topic that keeps drawing me back to posting on a regular basis.
It’s great that we’re taking a look at blogs. Most of us realize now that blogs are easy, informal ways for us (as libraries) to be present on the web, to promote our programs, and to create a space for interaction with our patrons. But let’s talk about the day-to-day reality of blogging for a library…
Years ago, our library tried a blog. Actually, we “wanted” a blog, and since that sounded at the time like a scary, technical undertaking, it fell on one person from the IT staff to set it up. The idea was to let the entire staff pitch in with random postings from their departments, but even with some coaxing and a bit of training, they were reluctant, or couldn’t find the time, to do so. “Post it yourself” became “We’re doing this program next week — will you put something about it on the blog?” The IT person became an unwitting writer/editor/publisher. The blog floundered.
To be vibrant and successful, a library blog needs to be a community effort. People in each department should be given permission (and scheduled hours) to write and post their own entries. Directors and managers should set an example by communicating with their patronage about circulation figures, long range plans, or upcoming closures. All staff members — even pages — can contribute DVD or book reviews. And let’s not forget the patrons — they should be given their own space (the comment section, at the very least) to respond with their own reviews, their own thoughts about your library, their own ideas on its long-range goals.
What is everyone else doing to include the entire library staff (and the public) in your blogging endeavors?
I’ve created my blog, now I just have to think of what to type of information to post on it. I’ve used blogs before, like “anonymous” above, mostly for parenting suggestions.
OK, that was easy. I too would like to get kids talking about books on a school blog. But, I am with other school librarians whose students sit behind a big firewall at school, but maybe will access the new book discussion from home. I guess if you build it they will come? Maybe someday they can even access it from school!!
Hi, everyone! Check out my blog of short-short stories: greglikinsfiction.blogspot.com. Here you’ll find links to VERY short fiction pieces (between 100 and 1000 words) published on the web. If you like any of the stories, remember to leave a comment or vote for the piece on the host website. Thanks for letting me shamelessly promote my “other” career.