The Rockaway Township Public library has a teen blog run by Kimberly Garnick. From the library's main page, the patron just needs to click on the teen section and there is a large link to the blog at the top of the page.
http://www.rocktwpya.blogspot.com/ (http://www.rtlibrary.org/)
While this blog isn't the biggest, shiniest library blog with a gazillion comments, I think it is a great example of what a smaller library with a limited staff (one YA librarian who maintains the blog alone) can do with blogging.
The purpose of the blog is stated in a side bar description. "This is the blog for Rock Twp Teens --the space for library events; book, movie & music reviews; cool websites; news; and more."
Kimberly blogs about meeting Holly Black at a Spiderwick book signing, writes a weekly review of a YA book, posts reminders about upcoming events, asks for help from her teens, talks about recently library events and posts pictures taken at them. She also includes information about movies based off of teen books, including trailers and updated release date information. (and this is all in the first page)
While there are not a lot of comments on her posts it is an effective tool for her to disseminate information to her teen users. For example, last February I observed one of her teen programs for a different class. At the end of the program they discussed an upcoming TAG meeting. Kimberly told the teens that if the meeting was cancelled due to weather she would post it on the blog. Her users know that to get the most updated information on library events and cancellations they just need to check the blog.
Kimberly also uses the sidebars of her blog effectively. She posts links to recommended and important web pages such as the Rockaway school's web page, Q&ANJ, teenreads, GLBTQ--Mathew's place, and the library's main page. Prominently displayed is the library's link to home work help and a meebo widget that allows users to IM Kimberly. She also includes a list of links to popular YA authors' web pages and a list of upcoming library events.
This blog is updated regularly and is a good way to promote upcoming events. It also celebrates the teens' participation in the library by recapping past programs and displaying photographs from those events. For example there is a picture on the blog of the goth sock puppets teen users made at a recent program.
Looking at the websites of larger libraries that have well developed web pages and a large staff supporting the library's online presence is very helpful for getting ideas and a better understanding of how the technology can be used in the library. However, I believe it is also important to see what smaller, less tech-savvy and cutting edge libraries are able to do with the same technology.
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5 comments:
wow, I like your blog selection wayyyy more than mine. it would seem that blogs are ideally suited to teen/YA audiences because of the dynamism they allow. I chose an academic library/blog which probably doesn't really need to be quite so dynamic. Indeed, once the students learn about the library the job of the librarians is basically done until the aforesaid students need help. Conversely, teens/YAs because they are using the library for both academics and recreation have a greater breath of uses for the blog.
Just a side comment...Kim took this class about a year ago :-)
I love your favorite blog! It's similar to the one I chose as a favorite, but I can admit it might be even a little bit better. As with the one I chose, I really like the tone/information, because I think it's appropriate for the target audience of young adults. I also like the images -- they draw you in. Finally, I like what you say about a small library with limited staff; this is completely doable for one librarian, and I'm betting that patrons who access it are fans.
Thanks for the cool review of my blog! I'm pretty proud of it and it would not be here without Steve's class.
Oh, one more thing. I use Google Analytics to track blog usage. This way, I can figure out who's using the site and from where. I don't get a ton of comments, but when I do it's usually a teen telling me if they are coming to a program. Provides me with some idea of numbers since kids aren't great with signing up for events.
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