Emerging technologies such
as blogs, wikis, RSS, ebooks and emedia, are rapidly changing the way people,
societies and libraries access information. Today’s Web 2.0 user is a proactive,
participative and creative consumer of information. Blogs, an increasingly
popular means of information exchange, are an example of one way people use new
technologies to give, receive and create knowledge (Zanin-Yost, 2010). The exchange
of information and commentary online via blogs creates dialogue and facilitates
communication, and this is increasingly being used to connect libraries and
library users.
The content and format of a
blog is similar to a diary or journal, displayed in reverse chronological
order, is updated regularly and allows the inclusion of images and links to
other blogs and websites (Zanin-Yost, 2010). Published online and available to
be read by everyone, each blog has a thread which allows its readers to write comments
and engage in online discussion (Zanin-Yost, 2010). Even a small number of
active participants help to make for a lively blog and participation should be
encouraged (Fasick, 2011, p. 26). Libraries today want children to be active
learners and for them to participate in programs designed for them.
Opportunities to join book club discussions via a blog, for example will
increase children’s involvement with the Library (Fasick, 2011, p. 40).
My journey in establishing a
blog was challenging and interesting as I have little technological experience.
After a long break (over twenty years) from the workforce I have spent the last
year rapidly rebuilding my skills and knowledge as a Librarian, including the
need to learn about emerging technologies on the web. My learning experience for this unit was to
set up a blog using Blogger, an online hosting service owned by Google.
Although it was relatively easy to set up, with online tutorials to watch and
sites such as Blogging Basics 101 available to step a new blogger through the process
of establishing a blog (Nelson, 2014), I still faced some difficulties. The
biggest mistake made was not having an offline copy of my draft posts. Several
draft posts disappeared from the Blogger server without warning and had to be
rewritten, this time directly into a Microsoft Word document. This was a significant
learning process.
Blogging Basics 101 provided
useful guidance, stressing the importance of usability and readability when
designing the blog (Nelson, 2014). I also found the NSW Public Libraries
Learning 2.0 site useful when researching how to blog (Week 2: Introduction to
blogs, 2008). Exploring other blogs online gave examples of how creative
bloggers can be when customising their design. In setting up my blog I have
attempted to create a blog reflective of my personality.
Creating my blog has been a
positive experience, increased my confidence in using emerging technologies and
developed an interest in creating a blog reviewing new children’s books and giving publicity for children’s services at
my workplace.
References:
Fasick, A.M. (2011). From board
book to facebook: children’s services in an interactive age. Santa Barbara,
CA.: ABC-CLIO Greenwood.
Nelson, M. (2014). How do I start a blog? In Blogging basics 101. Retrieved from http://www.bloggingbasics101.com/how-do-I-start-a-blog/
Week
2: Introduction to blogs (2008). In New
South Wales Public Libraries learning 2.0 program. Retrieved from
Zanin-Yost, A. (2010). Library 2.0:
blogs, wikis and RSS to serve the Library.
Retrieved from
http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/_mbolin/zanin-yost2.htm
