A School Library Blog The road to blogging was a meandering one The destination is variable as the journey continues

The road to blogging was a meandering one

The destination is variable as the journey continues

First exposure My son started posting his own music blog www.wordpress.com The postings had a wonderful conversational tone

My son started posting his own music blog

www.wordpress.com

The postings had a wonderful conversational tone

An Author's blog I met Lois Lowry and later, her blog, and was smitten www.loislowry.com Personal diary meets media audience

I met Lois Lowry and later, her blog, and was smitten

www.loislowry.com

Personal diary meets media audience

Engaging blogs = images and “talk” A photo or graphic invites you in The photo may or may not relate to your real topic of the day The photo makes a good lead to talk into a relationship with the reader

A photo or graphic invites you in

The photo may or may not relate to your real topic of the day

The photo makes a good lead to talk into a relationship with the reader

How did I begin to blog? My flight to a school library summit in Chicago was canceled early on a December morning due to a snowstorm, and I could not get another flight

My flight to a school library summit in Chicago was canceled early on a December morning due to a snowstorm, and I could not get another flight

The choice... I can go to school mid-morning and rob the sub aof a day's work... OR I can be a good girl and use my professional leave constructively from home. The blog is born!

I can go to school mid-morning and rob the sub aof a day's work...

OR

I can be a good girl and use my professional leave constructively from home.

The blog is born!

The Barstow BookPack From the Barstow Memorial School web page http://barstow.k12.vt.us/ A known audience of 1 (my son has it on RSS feed)

From the Barstow Memorial School web page

http://barstow.k12.vt.us/

A known audience of 1

(my son has it on RSS feed)

Blogging is easier than apple pie www.blogger.com Choose a template for layout and background colors Customize the settings for interactivity, keeping responses moderated for appropriate content Start typing!

www.blogger.com

Choose a template for layout and

background colors

Customize the settings for interactivity,

keeping responses moderated for

appropriate content

Start typing!

Topics New books Books on a theme Personal reading tastes Research hints Fun insider info School events

New books

Books on a theme

Personal reading tastes

Research hints

Fun insider info

School events

Questions What images can I add to my blog? How do I add a link? How can I rename a URL link? Can I add video? Can I use wave file recordings?

What images can I add to my blog?

How do I add a link?

How can I rename a URL link?

Can I add video?

Can I use wave file recordings?

Images You should use your own photos or find copyright free sites such as: http://stockXchang.com http://123rf.com If you use another found image, give credit to its source

You should use your own photos or find copyright free sites such as:

http://stockXchang.com

http://123rf.com

If you use another found image, give credit to its source

Links It can be as simple as copy/paste You'll have to learn re-labeling (no long goofy URL) from the “help” features, as I have not learned It's fair game to link anything for which you can predict appropriate content

It can be as simple as copy/paste

You'll have to learn re-labeling (no long goofy URL) from the “help” features, as I have not learned

It's fair game to link anything for which you can predict appropriate content

Video and Audio – maybe someday! Video should be an easy addition as there is an icon on blogger's toolbar http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5301249026926037067 Audio may require more assistance, but I'm hoping this will prove an easy addition

Video should be an easy addition as there is an icon on blogger's toolbar

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5301249026926037067

Audio may require more assistance, but I'm hoping this will prove an easy addition

Choose an audience Students? Teachers? Parents? Your sons??? To encourage posted dialogue? All of the above?

Students?

Teachers?

Parents?

Your sons???

To encourage posted dialogue?

All of the above?

Promote your blog Talk it up Write about it in the school newsletter Hand out business cards with the website address Add an RSS feed button Mass mailings???

Talk it up

Write about it in the school newsletter

Hand out business cards with the website address

Add an RSS feed button

Mass mailings???

Have some fun! Write a blog for your own enjoyment Be open to an unanticipated evolution

Write a blog for your own enjoyment

Be open to an unanticipated evolution