Blogging in Academic Libraries

Susan Herzog

Eastern Connecticut State University June 29, 2006

What is a Blog?

Blog is short for “weblog,” a term coined by Jorn Barger in 1997 and popularized by Cameron Barrett in 1999.

Peter Merholz decided to pronounce the term “wee-blog,” which was eventually shortened to just “blog.”

Blogging Terms

Blogging: when somebody uploads information to the Blog

the person doing this is known as the Blogger

Blogosphere: the blogging world

Blogroll: a list of recommended blogs or blogs read by the Blogger

What Makes it a Blog?

All blogs are a type of web pagecan be easily & instantly updated

(feature of blog software)

What Makes it a Blog?

Most blogshave frequently updated postshave relatively short entriesare organized chronologically by

datehave newest entries at the toplink to other web content

What Makes it a Blog?

Most blogsinclude Comments

(feature of blog software)include Archives

(feature of blog software) include a unique URL for

each individual post (Permalink)(feature of blog software)

What Makes it a Blog?

Most blogs are primarily textualExperimentation with sound, images

& videos, has resulted in related genres:

photoblogsvideoblogsaudioblogs

Anatomy of a Typical Blog Post

Anton Zuiker http://www.unc.edu/%7Ezuiker/blogging101/parts.html

Blogs have been described as

“a kind of continual tour, with a human guide, whom you get to know” (Winer, 2002).

a live, online journalone of the most popular modes of

communication on the Internet“a place on the Net where you write and

publish at the near-same moment to a few million of your closest friends, except only about 20 people actually read what you write” (Suitt, 2002).

Blogs have been described as

an easy, quick way to create a web site

a place to share thoughts & ideasa way to connect with othersa way to keep up with family a way to collaboratesocial networking

Blogs have been described as

new media citizens’ mediaparticipatory mediagrassroots publishing

The Blog Question

“Is blogging merely a form of exhibitionism or a compelling new form of journalism? There is evidence to conclude that it is probably both.” (Conhaim, 2002).

Advantages of Blogs

instant publishing to the Internet

cost little or nothingprovide a comment feature that

allows interaction from others dynamic & empowering allow interchange of thoughts &

ideas exciting: instant feedback

Blog Diffusion

Bloggers read & link to other blogs

Bloggers read “old media”, AKA Mainstream media (MSM), and include information & links in their blogs

“Old Media” reporters read blogs, then include information in their own stories

Blog History

Tim Berners-Lee's ‘What's New?’ page

Blogger9/11 Blogs

Blog History

Following 9/11 blogs were identified &

collected in lists patterns emerged the number of blogs increased

significantly

Blog History

2002: Trent Lott’s Strom Thurmond remarks

2004: Howard Dean & Meetup.com

2004: Democratic & Republican conventions

Blog History

2004: RatherGate2004: Tsunami Blogs2004: Year of the Blog

Why Read Blogs?

Personal & professionalKeep current No spam! (hopefully)

Go to blogger.com

http://www.blogger.com/start

Let’s start blogging….

Select Create Your Blog Now

Fill in your information Read terms of service Password should be

simple easy to rememberno spaces

Click on continue

Name Your Blog

Name should be identifiable Information Literacy Blog

Write down your Blog address (URL)

Continue

Choose a Template

Select a template (just pick one…you can change templates later)

Continue

Blogger Tools

Create Posts

FormattingComposeEdit HTMLPreviewBlock comments on postsNotice of successful posting

Your Blog

Posting Options

Edit posts delete

View the blog can open in new window

Settings Choices

Publishing FormattingComments

Show/hideArchiving

Frequency

Site Feed EmailSave settingsDelete this blog

Settings Choices: Publishing

On Blogger or your own siteBlog addressSave settings

Publishing

Settings Choices: Formatting

Show Number Days/PostsConvert Line BreaksShow Title FieldShow Link Field Post Template Save settings

Formatting

Formatting

Settings Choices: Comments

Show/HidePermission to commentEmail notificationSave settings

Comments

Comments

Settings Choices:ArchivingDailyWeeklyMonthlyPost Pages

each post has its own unique web page, in addition to appearing on your blog's front page

Save settings

Archiving

Settings Choices:Site Feed

RSSAllows others to be notified when you update your blogSave settingsFeed URL: http://sherzog.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Site Feed

Settings

Template

Edit templatePick new oneSave changes

Posting

Posting to your blog

New blog Start posting

Existing blog, log in Your username Password

For more information…

The eLit Blog: Blogging in Academic Librarieshttp://blogging-in-academic-libraries.blogspot.com/

BlogBibhttp://blog-bib.blogspot.com/

Need Help?

Blogger’s Help is excellent and updated often:http://help.blogger.com/

References

Barger, J. (1999). Weblog resources FAQ. Retrieved June 11, 2006 from http://www.robotwisdom.com/weblogs/

Berners-Lee, T. (1992). What’s new in ’92. Retrieved June 11, 2006 from http://www.w3.org/History/19921103-hypertext/hypertext/WWW/News/9201.html

Blood, R. (2000). weblogs: a history and perspective. Retrieved June 11, 2006 from http://www.rebeccablood.net/essays/weblog_history.html

Conhaim, W. (2002, May/June ). Blogging – What is it? Link-Up 19 (3). Retrieved June 11, 2006 from http://web.archive.org/web/20050305061458/http://www.infotoday.com/lu/may02/conhaim.htm

References

Paquet, S. (2002). Personal knowledge publishing and its uses in research. Retrieved June 11, 2006 from http://radio.weblogs.com/0110772/stories/2002/10/03/personalKnowledgePublishingAndItsUsesInResearch.html

Suitt, H. (2002). Halley’s comment. Retrieved June 11, 2006 from http://halleyscomment.blogspot.com/2002_11_24_halleyscomment_archive.html#85713646

Winer, D. (2002). The history of weblogs. Retrieved June 11, 2006 fromhttp://www.userland.com/theHistoryOfWeblogs