Simply BloggingBy Suzanne Hilgert
Simply Blogging
This presentation is for the very beginner blogger
For the staff that doesn't blog
How to start library 2.0
Where to start with staff that is unfamiliar with web 2.0
Simply Blogging
Olivia Public Library
Renville Public Library
Librarian for 25 years
I'm head librarian at 2 small libraries in western Mn
Each community has population under 5, 000
Farming communities
High speed Internet for general community has only been
available for the last 5 years
Public Library is seen as the technology center behind the
school
Simply Blogging
Goals
Blogging is successful when clear goals are established
Goals need to be articulated
Not all goals need to be so established
Explanation to follow
Simply Blogging
Improve Communication
Eliminate Clutter
Share tools
Promote on-line education
Learn 2.0 skills
I was not always successful sharing all library information with
all staff members
Renville Branch is isolated
Some staff was more enthusiastic about learning than others
Simply Blogging
Improve Communication
Every staff person does not work with every other staff
person
I was responsible for sharing all the information
Renville's new staff needed to be engaged in ongoing training
with limited hours available to me to do
Simply Blogging
Eliminate Clutter
Sticky notes are not the best method of sharing information
Simply Blogging
Share Tools
Just be aware of these tools is not enough
Using these databases to their full potential is
cost-effective.
Educating the public is all staff's responsibility
Simply Blogging
Promote on line education
This goal was mine to start
Staff learned to embrace the advantages of this type of
learningEasy of attendingCost savingTime commitment
Simply Blogging
Learn 2.0 skills
Fun of learning
Discovering uses in library
Answering questions from the public
Simply Blogging
Blog Development
I knew I would have to develop blog, but I wanted something all
could contribute to
Simply Blogging
Easy
Easy to use so all staff could do it immediately
Easy to maintain so primary ownership could be shared
Simply Blogging
Safe
non-threatening
Closed blog
Only staff would see errors or mistakes
Sensitive information could be shared
Simply Blogging
Everyone participates
Everyone has administrative privileges
Everyone blogs
My mantra became
Put in on the blog
or
Blog about that so everyone knows
Simply Blogging
Results
Ongoing process
Fulfilled goals
Staff reactionEncouragement to blogAdd contentDiscovery
Simply Blogging
Greatly Improved Communication
Between staff
Staff & customers
Better communication between staff resulted
in better communication between
staff and customers.
Added value outcome.
Simply Blogging
Eliminate Clutter1. share a to do list gadget on each iGoogle
page2. pages of patrons' lists are now on computer
Staff discovered new ideas on their own and share
With other
Not everything came through me
Simply Blogging
Share tools1. hints and tips are share between all staff2.
empowering of staff
Staff discovered their own online identities
Sharing increased
Empowerment is good
Simply Blogging
Promote online education1. Minitex schedule of events posted2.
WebJunction updatesand tips are shared
On education developed from me telling staff to take this class
or webinar or tutorial
To staff discovering information and methods of learning that
worked for them
Simply Blogging
Learn 2.0 1. each staff has their own iGoogle page2. instant
messager is used for daily communication3. use online calendar for
work schedule & meeting room
Staff has developed a comfort level with technology
Sharing of resources has expanded
Using technology has expanded how library can benefit from
technology
Make technology work for you instead of the other way around
Simply Blogging
Conclusion
Establish blog goals
Adapt as necessary
Make 2.0 tools work for you & your library
Establish reachable goals
Encourage individual responses but don't let anyone off the
hook
Celebrate individual strengths
