integrating a blog with an institutional website
DESCRIPTION
Recommendations for history-related institutions on how to incorporate blogs into their website, based on the example of the Washington State Library.TRANSCRIPT
OAH Annual Meeting 2009:
Integrating a Blog with an Institutional Website
Mary Paynton SchaffWashington State Library
Why the State Library Started Blogging
• To reach new audiences
• To better advertise our resources
• To re-discover our online community
• To improve internal communication
• To see if it was possible
Old State Library Building, Olympia WA
The State Library’s Blog
• From August 2006 – October 2008
• Wordpress• Hosted offsite• Only agency blog• Used it for:
– Events– Newspaper Gems– New Library Resources
State Library’s Blog Version 2
• From October 2008 -• Wordpress• Hosted onsite• One of many agency blogs• Using it for:
- Events- Newspaper Gems- New Library Resources- Research Stories?
Why Your Institution Should be Blogging
• It’s time to update your website• You need to humanize/justify your efforts• You need to advertise your resources• You need better/easier/cheaper tools• You want people to talk about you• Historians just wanna have fun
Step by Step Guide
1. Define your subject and audience
2. Create a mockup3. Make your pitch4. Get support from
stakeholders5. Collaborate with
interested parties
6. Create policies7. Make sure your
efforts are sustainable
8. Advertise9. Evaluate10.Know when to call it
quits
Reap the Blogging Benefits• Increased awareness• Diversified dialogue
about your institution• Better understanding
of new technologies• Internal “culture of
play” and willingness to experiment
• Peer or industry recognition
Source: Paleo-future/ “America 1908” (Rasenberger) /Harper’s Weekly 1908
Questions? Comments?
Mary Paynton SchaffReference Librarian
Washington State Library
Contact me:
secstate.wa.gov/library
Presentation available on Slideshare.net
Current State Library, Tumwater WA