Value of blogs

While I understand some feel the need to share their thoughts or even to make a mark somewhere to show their passing, I don't think that is in my line. However, I can see the value of blogging for the library to move us to a more social connection with our public.

If we have the courage, there is merit in using blogging for:

• "Suggestion/complaint" comments rather than maintaing a hidden paper trail which ends up in being a correspondence between the library and the individual - a more open viewable process would be better
• SLV21 and our public (or even an open letter from the State Librarian) would engage our public in what the library is doing for public before events hit them and opens the way for improved communication - this focus would involve the public in ways that technology can be used to help and gives the library feedback on developments and the way people use the library
• Internally it would be good to change the "Digital Digest" into a blog which shares the experiences of the technology and readings about new technology and encourages more discussion about new SLV21 developments
• Desk diary has the potential to share knowledge among desks and between shifts

But as with everything - all of these require ongoing commitment and seeable "me" type benefits.

On a personal level, this may help me practice "Writing for the web" techniques