the first blog

Blogging to Improve ServicesBlogging to Improve Services

Angela RandAngela Rand

arand@cityoforangebeach.comarand@cityoforangebeach.com

Orange Beach Public LibraryOrange Beach Public Library

www.orangebeachlibrary.orgwww.orangebeachlibrary.org

DefinitionDefinition

Blog: A Blog: A blogblog (or (or weblogweblog) is a ) is a websitewebsite in in which messages are posted and displayed which messages are posted and displayed with the newest at the top (Wikipedia).with the newest at the top (Wikipedia).

Why Blog?Why Blog?

It is easy to get a blog.It is easy to get a blog. Blog interfaces are easy to use.Blog interfaces are easy to use. Blogs are interactive.Blogs are interactive. Lists and links can be displayed.Lists and links can be displayed. Blogs can be Blogs can be syndicated!syndicated!

Benefits of a blogBenefits of a blog

A blog can be private and relay A blog can be private and relay administrative and operational administrative and operational messages.messages.

Open access blogs can be quickly Open access blogs can be quickly updated to provide news, post art and updated to provide news, post art and pictures and details of events.pictures and details of events.

A blog serves as an archive of A blog serves as an archive of information that would otherwise be information that would otherwise be lost.lost.

Good NewsGood News

You can have more than one blogYou can have more than one blog!!

Plan your blogPlan your blog

Define the purposeDefine the purpose Define rolesDefine roles Find a host (Blogger is Find a host (Blogger is

easiest to use) easiest to use) www.blogger.comwww.blogger.com

RSS: making the blog work RSS: making the blog work for youfor you

RSS is a new technology that RSS is a new technology that allows chosen blog comments to allows chosen blog comments to be delivered to your blog reader.be delivered to your blog reader.

RSS works with blogs to organize RSS works with blogs to organize your information.your information.

DefinitionDefinition

RSS = RSS = – Really simple syndicationReally simple syndication– Rich site summaryRich site summary

RSS ReadersRSS Readers

An RSS reader is the gathering place for An RSS reader is the gathering place for your news, or blog, feeds.your news, or blog, feeds.

RSS readers are aggregators that you RSS readers are aggregators that you set up to receive favorite blogments.set up to receive favorite blogments.

Some free readers are:Some free readers are:– BloglinesBloglines– My YahooMy Yahoo– IE v. 7 includes a web based feed reader.IE v. 7 includes a web based feed reader.– And Google has a web version of a reader.And Google has a web version of a reader.

Bloglines ReaderBloglines Reader

Logged in to my BloglinesLogged in to my Bloglines

ConclusionConclusion The popularity of blogs is increasing The popularity of blogs is increasing

and more features can be expected.and more features can be expected. Podcasts, widgets and other plug-ins Podcasts, widgets and other plug-ins

are useful and fun means of sharing are useful and fun means of sharing information.information.

Blogs allow immediate control of Blogs allow immediate control of information flow from the library to information flow from the library to the public. The Orange Beach library the public. The Orange Beach library regularly hosts classes on blogging regularly hosts classes on blogging and social software.and social software.

Thank you for inviting me.Thank you for inviting me.