Blogs (a.k.a. WebLogs)

When I was younger, I would hide my diary between my mattresses (cliche, I know), and the key for my diary could either be found in my favorite puppet or under a broken Caboodle drawer. God forbid my little brother read it and found out all about what we had for dinner the previous night (I've always gotten bored with diaries). WebLogs, more commonly referred to as blogs, are essentially Internet diaries--minus the secrecy. They are sites dedicated to the innermost thoughts of anyone who wants to share with the world. This site is a blog!! Fascinating, isn't it. Blogs are most often a personal journal of some sort. Their topics vary, and anything goes! Now I say that blogs are most often personal journals, because they can range from journals to news coverage to event/community information. Blogs are flexible. Dedicated bloggers (i.e. one who blogs) will update their sites at least daily (sometimes more), while novice or more lax bloggers might update a site every couple of days, weeks, months, or even years. The best part is that their blogs are (mostly) governed by them. Fitcher and Carvone point out that blogs are special because they tend to be written in a specific voice, with blatant opinions--they are highly subjective (Technology for the Rest of Us, p. 56). I think that this is an important trait to note, especially under the pretext of an online journal. You, as a writer, are unrestricted in what you say, do, think, and feel.

I bet by now you're thinking, "Boy, this blogging thing sounds great!" Well, I'd have to agree with you. Once you get into it, it's a lot of fun. You might ask, "How do I create my own blog?" It's as easy as pie:

1. Choose a host site (you need somewhere to broadcast your blog from). I recommend Blogger, but you can also use LiveJournal. These ones are free. If you'd rather pay for service, you can use something like TypePad. Why pay when you can get it for free? Essentially, each host has its pros and cons. To start out, I'd suggest one of the free sites. If you find out that you love it, and want to do more, check out a paid service. You'll have more flexibility and control over your site.
2. Sign up! You'll need a blog title (i.e. 'Twas brillig and the slithy toves...), and a URL (i.e. http://www.thescrappycrafter.com), a template (supplied by the service, or find your own online--I like http://www.bloggertemplatesfree.com), and you're ready to get started!
3. Begin your blogging adventure!

If blogs are "personal journals" then how could they be used in the library???
I'll admit, that was my first question too! It turns out that libraries use blogs in a couple of different ways. Libraries like the Library of Congress are using blogs to share fun and random (but educational) information with their readers. Other libraries use blogs to share library news, information and events with their patrons, update them on community news and events, and they even use blogs as an internal mode of communication among staff!
Blogs and Society
Blogs are an effective tool for expressing yourself to the world. Once again, access is key. With a blog, I can say anything I want and reach a global audience. This is true for libraries too! The blogging revolution has expanded our communication system as a nation, and united users from around the world! They are (in my opinion) more in depth versions of information access through Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, or any other networking site. In reaching out to the world, you encourage the world to reach back to you!