Blogging Workshop
Conducted a three-hour workshop on blogging this morning. I enjoyed it a lot, but doubt that I convinced anyone to give it a try. I think that people responded better to a library website being blog-based, such as Drupal than starting their own professional blog. It's disappointing because I think the library blogging world really needs the representation of small libraries, and there were many in the group I spoke to.
Many people say that they don't have time, but I think it is more than that. I think that it is a combination of not being comfortable writing publicly and wondering what the heck they will write about. I also think though, that if you are really passionate about a subject, you will find it easy to blog about. You have plenty of opinions to express AND you are already researching it because you love it. Let's hope some of them give it a try.
I hope that at the minimum people head home and set up a feed reader. That alone can save them time enough to blog a couple of times a week.
Comments
It's tough to get people to write their thoughts publicly. However, I find it amusing how many of my staff are blogging on their myspace. They would not consider that blogging.
Posted by: Jeff | November 7, 2007 12:15 AM
Tara,
I am a big fan of you and believe that small libraries have to keep their presence on the web and in front of the public.
Daily blogs do take some time but when you have events happening at your library, or tech news that would help others it is easier. I find it fun and challenging at times to come up with a blog, but with the help from your sites and sounds it is made easier.
Thanks for being their for me.
Posted by: Bonnie Adams | November 7, 2007 8:25 AM
I attended the workshop and found it extremely informative! I know a few people that are anxious to get going on a professional blog. I know I am excited about blogging and hope to start a professional blog soon. Right now I am getting my feet wet with ProjectPlay. As far as finding time, if one is passionate about the topic, time will be found. I am planning on maybe posting once a week to start. We'll see....
Posted by: Cheryl | November 7, 2007 10:35 AM
Thank you, Cheryl! Glad that it was useful for you and thrilled that you hope to start blogging.
Posted by: Tasha | November 7, 2007 12:51 PM
I also attended the workshop and am excited to add to our boring whats new blog at our library! We use movingtype (?) but am ready to go to Drupple to be able to add book photos and interest on our own. Our blog lists new items in our library but even that is time consuming for a little library to keep up with. I started a personal blog a few months ago and did a travel blog of a trip I took with friends to New England for fall colors in October. Seemed like a good way to keep in touch with friends/relatives while not having to phone or write a personal email to each. Got the idea from a patron that did similar trip blog last summer.
Posted by: Char N | November 11, 2007 5:29 AM