For Week #3 second assignment I selected “The 'M' Word - Marketing Libraries”
blog. This blog is about marketing tips and trends for libraries and
non-profits. I browse through a few
library blogs but most of the blogs that I read were about new found technology
being used by libraries or about what is going on at a particular library or events.
I also read a few that used the blog more as their personal librarian journal.
I felt that if I want to follow a blog it has to have more content, more about
the works that a librarian or a library is doing. I hoped to find a blog that
provides new ideas for library’s and librarians and maybe find brainstorming
posts that I can follow and make comments. I want to learn what is going on
differently in the library world that is really innovative, creative and
inspiring. Personally I would like to know more about
what other libraries around the world are doing not limit myself to what is going on here at
home in the U.S.A. and that is what attracted me to this blog.
This blog has two collaborating authors Nancy Dowd and Kathy
Dempsey. Both authors are available for speaking and consulting. Their
expertise is on marketing and finding ways for libraries to make that
connection with their community. For me
personally making that connection is important. Their post “ Take the Library to the People”
totally inspired me to want to subscribe to this blog. They talk about
libraries built were travelers are.
Libraries at an airport in Amsterdam were travelers can enjoy books, videos, movies, music, art, and
more in over 30 languages, and is meant to entertain and enlighten people about
Dutch culture while they're waiting for flights in Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport,
considered one of the world's busiest airports. Their post covers many areas of
librarianship from the biblioburro in South America to gift ideas for library
lovers and promoting libraries with T-shirts that say “Libraries are My Candy
Store”.
I think that the main characteristic found in a successful library
blog, aside to having a appealing and attractive appearance. Having a blog
that has great functionality most importantly the library blog should allow for
your readers to be able to interact with you. The first thing that blogger should know
before starting a blog is “What is your blog about” who is your audience and
what is your goal? The content for me is the most important, establishing goals
and objectives for your blog. Allowing
for content to be always fresh, with new topics to discuss and it is important
to maintain the blog at least update weekly but the if possible setting up a calendar
to follow for the updates would be even better.
Finally, A library blog should have more than one
contributing author, and should be able to incite intelligent communication. A successful library blog should
provide a positive view on the library and be able to feature topics of
interest to patrons, including book reviews, articles of interest, new
services, future programs and even
include pictures taken of the library, its people, events and even
videos on feature programs, resource topics anything that will expose the
library and serve to advertise the library and its services.
