Blogging Help

Library Blog Basics

I think we can probably agree that libraries are no longer exclusively geographical locations that our users come to: patrons also visit virtually. Many of their tasks at a library’s website are pragmatic — renewing books, checking their records, searching the online catalog and placing holds — but, increasingly, libraries are beginning to think of their online spaces as destinations for patrons; as communities of web denizens. Victoria recently discussed social media planning for libraries. Another way librarians can create community in the library’s virtual space is by designing and sustaining blogs. Last year, my library decided to expand our blog, from a repository of new titles lists and the occasional notice of a change in policy, to a content-rich space for library users to get to know staff, learn more about services, find topical book reviews, read about recent developments, and, yes, also to find the new titles lists…

General information

Call for Writers

The LITA blog is seeking regular contributors interested in writing easily digestible, thought-provoking blog posts that are fun to read (and hopefully to write!). The blog showcases innovative ideas and projects happening in the library technology world, so there is a lot of room for contributor creativity. Possible post formats could include interviews, how-tos, hacks, and beyond. Any LITA member is welcome to apply. Library students and members of underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply. Contributors will be expected to write one post per month. Writers will also participate in peer editing and conversation with other writers – nothing too serious, just be ready to share your ideas and give feedback on others’ ideas. Writers should expect a time commitment of 1-3 hours per month. Not ready to become a regular writer but you’d like to contribute at some point? Just indicate in your message to me that you’d…

2010

Call for Annual 2010 Bloggers

Attending the ALA 2010 Annual Conference in DC this June? Be a part of the fun and blog for LITA! We need volunteers to blog about sessions, speakers, and general conference atmosphere. We would like coverage for as many of the sessions as possible. Visit the BIGWIG LITA Events calendar and pick one (or more) and join the LITA Blogging Community. Interested? Sign up using this form and you’ll be added to the schedule. No experience is required to blog, though we would love to see some of our experienced volunteers back again. If you have any questions, email Cindi Trainor using Facebook or at cindiann at g mail dot com.

General information

Isn't it great to be in the library… wherever that is?

President’s Program: Isn’t it great to be in the library… wherever that is? Sunday June 29th, 2008, 4:00pm – 5:30pm (I apologize in advance for the level of detail here. I wasn’t able to get online and post right away and so I’m working from my handwritten notes – which are difficult to read at times and a bit cryptic at others. So, while I think a few statements are worth providing, I can’t recall the exact context of them. Rather than trying to guess, I’m simply providing them as-is.) Joseph Janes, from the University of Washington and columnist for American Libraries, kicked off this session with a presentation about the evolution of libraries and how we can define what they are, followed by a panel discussion by the It’s All Good blogging team. Joseph Janes presentation: The evolution of libraries isn’t necessarily tied to technology. Instead, it relates to…

2008

Drupal4Lib BoF at ALA Anaheim

We got a great crowd of around 20 people for our Drupal ‘Birds of a Feather’. The above is a shot of everybody in the BIGWIG Bloggers’ room — just before we got kicked out by some group from YALSA (bums, we’ll get even)! (We then proceeded to the next available empty room and had our get-together there.) First up on the agenda was setting up the Drupal IG, making sure we have enough signatures and asking for volunteers to serve as Chair and Co-Chair. For the first year, Leo Klein (i.e. me) graciously volunteered to serve as chair and Ian Chan as co-chair. The name for the IG is ‘Drupal4Lib’ and our purpose is “to promote the use and understanding of the content management system, Drupal, by libraries and librarians”. Next on the agenda was the true meat-and-potatoes of the BoF: shooting the breeze about Drupal and demonstrating a…

2008

Official Call for LITA Bloggers at ALA Annual

The ALA Annual Conference is just a few short weeks away, and we are again looking for volunteers to post brief summaries of LITA-sponsored sessions on the LITA Blog (http://litablog.org).  While you’re visiting Anaheim to learn, meet up with old friends, and engage in discussion about the newest new things in library technology, why not take this opportunity to share this experience with others? A current Blog Schedule can be found at http://litablog.org/blog-schedule-ala-annual-2008.  We would like to cover as many of the sessions as possible, so please feel free to pick one (or ten) and join the LITA Blogging Community. If you are interested, just contact me at tiffany dot lmb dot smith at gmail dot com with your name, e-mail and the sessions you would like to cover.  I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have. Thanks very much in advance!