Libraries may choose to add a library blog to existing web services as a way to provide updates and generate feedback. In class, Michael discussed the importance of allowing patron feedback on library blogs. His points were that patrons come to expect interactivity and will go elsewhere if it does not exist and that patrons are better at self-regulating for appropriateness than library staff might think. In her article “Why be transparent?” in the August 2007 issue of American Libraries, Meredith Farkas discusses additional reasons why blogs should allow for patron commentary. She states that blogs make it easy to “connect and converse” with patrons unlike other feedback mechanisms, such as surveys and suggestion boxes. She gives two examples of libraries who offer blogs and who give a staff response to “each and every question” even if it is just an explanation for why things are done that way. Patrons often used the blog to give feedback about technologies that were not working properly or not meeting their needs, or services they wanted at branch locations.
The article does not discuss how much time is taken by library staff to respond to “each and every question” or how timely the responses would have to be (daily, weekly) to keep patrons happy. What do others think?
A good article on ”Why and How to Use Blogs to Promote Library Services” can be found at http://www.libdex.com/weblogs.html. This article provides information on how to start a library blog and what capabilities to consider, such as archiving and searching. It also links to many library and librarian’s blogs to provide examples in the section entitled “Blogs in the Library Sphere.” Links include public, academic, and special libraries.
Good point about time for response – it should be built in to job duties, not just as an add on.
By: mstephens7 on September 23, 2007
at 3:54 pm
It seems as though response time is the most important piece to net trends. Were it to be me, I would schedule an hour or so daily where I checked my blog and/or sites and spent time responding. Having said that, it could get a little overwhelming, and fast, but I’d think daily updates/responses are important so that the community feels valued.
By: Katie on September 24, 2007
at 5:00 pm
It is interesting to see that the “how much time will it take” and “when do I do this” have now become the questions at hand, not “should we do this.” Having moved past the “should” question, means that we have begun the mindshift necessary to stay relevant to a large part of our current and most of our future user base. Those who must do the responding, no doubt, may see this as “one more thing I have to do added to what I already do not have enough time to get done,” and they would be right in thinking so.
It is now time for the library management and administration to move ahead too. What services and procedures are now outdated and no longer need to be offered and/or followed? What a perfect time to assess and redefine what the Library is, what the Library’s mission is, and where the Library is headed in the future. Starting with a simple blog could leverage the entire Library’s function, as small things can make great changes.
By: Perry on October 4, 2007
at 3:37 pm