After years of creating my own homepage with pure HTML coding and FTP software, blogging and other social software does change the way in which information is being transmitted and shared. As a MIS student, a casual librarian and a casual library clerk in the public library sector, my research studies how blogs can enhance and promote library services in the public libraries in Perth. Currently, there are none of the Perth public library has a library blog, why is that so? Does that reflect the attitude of the librarian? The technology barrier? Constraint and funding? Or simply, the patrons do not need a library blog actually?
I definitely hope to see more library students to share and contribute to this blog.
Feed
July 17, 2006 at 16:00
i think its less a matter of the patrons not needing blogs than the libraries perception of where they will put their time and energy…most libraries websites arent all that great, so obviously they don’t see a need there…
blogs are a faster more informal way of communicating with patrons but most libraries are still stuck in the notices/newsletters on coloured A4 paper ….oh well
July 17, 2006 at 16:34
Hi Fran, I agree with you about the coloured papers (and the folding! arghh). Check out http://www.mosmanlibraryblogs.com/ http://easternregional.blogspot.com/, they are awesome!
July 17, 2006 at 18:02
thanks for the links hoi, you are right they are both great library blogs
July 17, 2006 at 20:48
Alternately, there are some great library websites out there, that are leading the way. Eastern Regional is a good example. However, I think there are other ways that blogs can be used in public libraries, like in book clubs, and wikis as well (ie. local history). Hopefully we will start seeing some more innnovative uses of these fabulous tools.
July 21, 2006 at 14:54
Hi Hoi,
As part of an ALIA funded research grant Chelsea Harper and myself have just finished a sampled survey of public, academic, and special libraries uses of Blogs and Wikis for reference services practices.
We are just in the data anaysis phase at the moment and will be presenting results at Information Online Conf early next year.
The data collected however is really interesting - not only in regard to painting a picture of how these different library types are using Bs and Ws for their library services - but more importantly - the data gathered of respondants explaining why they have decided not to use these 2 technologies. Cheers, Kate Watson.
July 21, 2006 at 17:05
Hi Kate, thank you for the link of your research! It is extremely useful for my thesis even my scope is limited to the public libraries in Perth only. I am looking forward to your findings!!! THanks again!