This document discusses using blogs and social networking tools to connect libraries to the web. It notes limitations of traditional research guides like no highlighting of new sites or alerts. Blog software helps feature new sites and largely automates site management. The document also covers usability best practices for blogs, categories, and additional challenges like marketing, RSS, clearing dead sites, and integrating blogs into research guides. In conclusion, the blog has been a technological success but its strategic success is still unclear.

1. Blog that Bibliography Gary S. Atwood Babson Library – Springfield College Social Networking: Plugging New England Libraries into Web 2.0 October 13, 2006

3. Research by Topic Guide SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE

6. Let’s Check It Out! http://www.babsonlibrary.org/hper SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE

7. Usability What is usability? … the ease with which people can use a certain tool, like a web site or a blog, in order to achieve a particular goal. SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE

13. Thank You! Enjoy the rest of the conference.