emerging technologies in library websites

1 Winter 2006Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University

Blogging, RSS, and the OPAC

Emerging Technologies in Library Websites

Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University2

Blog (or Weblog)

Winter 2006

A frequently updated website managed by one author or a group.

Uses specific software to post, update, and organize content for a targeted audience.

Started in 1995 as way to organize and share links on personal websites.

Around 2000 the blogging revolution begins. Blogger launched in August 1999.

In 2004 blogs became more mainstream. Now being used by corporations, news, and political groups.


Blogging and Libraries

Winter 2006

Blogging Pros Marketing library services and events Easy to update Website stays current Community participation Many Free & Open Source Options

Blogging Cons Need people to maintain regularly More vulnerable to comment abuse


Example: Ann Arbor District Library (aadl.org)

Winter 2006

Marketing Library Services & Events Many levels of information Main page presents patrons with broad

information Different blogs help direct patrons to specific

information


AADL Website Features

Winter 2006

Main page is a blog that highlights featured events

Subject based blogs available throughout site Collaborative effort by library staff Comments are enabled and edited for

inappropriate language


Found at: http://www.aadl.org/node/401

Winter 2006

AADL Comment Moderation


Blogging & Libraries

Winter 2006

Enhances Library Services Encourage Community Involvement Blogs for book clubs or teen groups Blogs for training and classes Plus many others!

Easy Archival Instant archiving when published Automatic, searchable index created

List of Blogging Libraries: Blogging Libraries Wiki

http://bit.ly/blogging-libraries


Found at: http://www.westportlibrary.org/bookblog/

Winter 2006

Westport Public Library Book Blog


Found at: http://sjcpl.lib.in.us/gameblog/

Winter 2006

St. Joseph County Public Library Game Blog


RSS Integration

Winter 2006

What is RSS? Stands for “Really Simple Syndication” A file format used to aggregate content to online

services, client software, websites, or blogs. RSS goes hand-in-hand with blogging

software. Tied into blog, when blog is updated the XML file is

updated and then the newsreader is notified


Found at: http://searchengineland.com/search-illustrated-the-power-of-rss-feeds-12084 Winter 2006

Power of RSS


RSS and Libraries

Winter 2006

RSS Pros Streamline information

Most currently updated information comes directly to patron Add instant content to your site from other sources

Examples: Local events, weather, news Offer patrons access to their account information through their

newsreaders Holds, checkouts, due dates from their online accounts.

Self-Administering Do not need to maintain a list of subscribers for newsletters

RSS Cons Many sites still don’t support RSS feeds Some aggregators don’t support every format (RSS, Atom, RDF,

etc.) Users may visit your site infrequently

Smaller hit counts Services like FeedBurner can track feed circulation


Found at: http://www.hclib.org/pub/search/RSS.cfm

Winter 2006

Henepin County Library RSS Feeds


Found at: http://www.code4lib.org/2006/robertson

Winter 2006

The Future of the OPAC Ways libraries can improve their OPACs

From code4lib “Lipstick on a Pig: 7 Ways to Improve the Sex Life of Your OPAC” book cover images book reviews live circulation usage history recommendation engine RSS live librarian support (link to virtual reference) shortcut, durable links to specific items


The WordPress OPAC (WPopac)

Winter 2006

Library Catalog as a Blog Automatic RSS Feeds User Tools

Find Similar Items Request Holds (redirecting to account login) Add to Delicious Comments

Static URL Archive

New entries to the catalog are at the top


Found at: http://library.plymouth.edu/

Winter 2006

WPopac Now Scriblio


AquaBrowser: Queens Library

Winter 2006

Search Uses simple query box, similar to current OPACs

Discover Visual Map (or “word cloud”) Displays other relevant search terms to help users find

related information Refine

Filters original query by Format, Subject, Genre, etc.


Found at: http://aqua.queenslibrary.org/

Winter 2006

AquaBrowser: Queens Library


Conclusion

Winter 2006

Blogs Makes it easier for libraries and patrons to

participate in their communities Provides a forum for discussion on library services

and events RSS

Quick and easy way for patrons to subscribe to library information

Allows other users to put your content in their sites

OPAC Blogs & RSS are just a few of the tools that can

make the library OPAC more user friendly and efficient


Additional Resources

Winter 2006

Wikipedia definition of blog: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weblog

Why and How to Use Blogs to Promote Your Library Services: http://www.infotoday.com/mls/nov03/fichter.shtml

Wikipedia definition of RSS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS_(file_format)

FeedBurner: http://www.feedburner.com/ RSS FAQ:

http://www.johncletheroe.org/pc_int/rssfaq/index.htm

AquaBrowser: http://www.medialab.nl/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weblog

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weblog

http://www.infotoday.com/mls/nov03/fichter.shtml

http://www.infotoday.com/mls/nov03/fichter.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS_(file_format)

http://www.feedburner.com/



http://www.medialab.nl/

http://www.medialab.nl/

emerging technologies in library websites

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