This document discusses emerging technologies in library websites such as blogging, RSS, and improvements to the online public access catalog (OPAC). It provides an overview of what blogs and RSS are, examples of how libraries are using them, and benefits like making library services and events easier to market and keeping information instantly updated and accessible through feeds. The document also discusses ways libraries can enhance their OPACs, such as through WordPress plugins, and examples of new interfaces like AquaBrowser that aim to make the OPAC experience more visual, intuitive and social.

1. Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 1 Blogging, RSS, and the OPAC Emerging Technologies in Library Websites

2. Blog (or Weblog) Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 2 A frequently updated website managed by one author or a group. Uses specific software to post, update, and organize content for a targeted audience. Started in 1995 as way to organize and share links on personal websites. Around 2000 the blogging revolution begins. Blogger launched in August 1999. In 2004 blogs became more mainstream. Now being used by corporations, news, and political groups.

3. Found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2I1pWXjXI Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 3 Blogs in Plain English

4. Blogging and Libraries Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 4 Blogging Pros Marketing library services and events Easy to update Website stays current Community participation Many Free & Open Source Options Blogging Cons Need people to maintain regularly More vulnerable to comment abuse

5. Example: Ann Arbor District Library (aadl.org) Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 5 Marketing Library Services & Events Many levels of information Main page presents patrons with broad information Different blogs help direct patrons to specific information

6. AADL Website Features Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 6 Main page is a blog that highlights featured events Subject based blogs available throughout site Collaborative effort by library staff Comments are enabled and edited for inappropriate language

7. Found at: http://www.aadl.org/node/401 Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 7 AADL Comment Moderation

8. Blogging & Libraries Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 8 Enhances Library Services Encourage Community Involvement Blogs for book clubs or teen groups Blogs for training and classes Plus many others! Easy Archival Instant archiving when published Automatic, searchable index created List of Blogging Libraries: Blogging Libraries Wiki http://bit.ly/blogging-libraries

9. Found at: http://www.westportlibrary.org/bookblog/ Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 9 Westport Public Library Book Blog

10. Found at: http://sjcpl.lib.in.us/gameblog/ Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 10 St. Joseph County Public Library Game Blog

11. RSS Integration Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 11 What is RSS? Stands for “Really Simple Syndication” A file format used to aggregate content to online services, client software, websites, or blogs. RSS goes hand-in-hand with blogging software. Tied into blog, when blog is updated the XML file is updated and then the newsreader is notified

12. Found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 12 RSS In Plain English

13. Found at: http://searchengineland.com/search-illustrated-the-power-of-rss-feeds-12084 Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 13 Power of RSS

14. RSS and Libraries Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 14 RSS Pros Streamline information Most currently updated information comes directly to patron Add instant content to your site from other sources Examples: Local events, weather, news Offer patrons access to their account information through their newsreaders Holds, checkouts, due dates from their online accounts. Self-Administering Do not need to maintain a list of subscribers for newsletters RSS Cons Many sites still don’t support RSS feeds Some aggregators don’t support every format (RSS, Atom, RDF, etc.) Users may visit your site infrequently Smaller hit counts Services like FeedBurner can track feed circulation

15. Found at: http://www.hclib.org/pub/search/RSS.cfm Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 15 Henepin County Library RSS Feeds

16. Found at: http://www.code4lib.org/2006/robertson Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 16 The Future of the OPAC Ways libraries can improve their OPACs From code4lib “Lipstick on a Pig: 7 Ways to Improve the Sex Life of Your OPAC” book cover images book reviews live circulation usage history recommendation engine RSS live librarian support (link to virtual reference) shortcut, durable links to specific items

17. The WordPress OPAC (WPopac) Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 17 Library Catalog as a Blog Automatic RSS Feeds User Tools Find Similar Items Request Holds (redirecting to account login) Add to Delicious Comments Static URL Archive New entries to the catalog are at the top

18. Found at: http://library.plymouth.edu/ Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 18 WPopac Now Scriblio

19. AquaBrowser: Queens Library Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 19 Search Uses simple query box, similar to current OPACs Discover Visual Map (or “word cloud”) Displays other relevant search terms to help users find related information Refine Filters original query by Format, Subject, Genre, etc.

20. Found at: http://aqua.queenslibrary.org/ Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 20 AquaBrowser: Queens Library

21. Conclusion Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 21 Blogs Makes it easier for libraries and patrons to participate in their communities Provides a forum for discussion on library services and events RSS Quick and easy way for patrons to subscribe to library information Allows other users to put your content in their sites OPAC Blogs & RSS are just a few of the tools that can make the library OPAC more user friendly and efficient

22. Additional Resources Winter 2006 Heidi Blanton and Sarah Karolski | Wayne State University 22 Wikipedia definition of blog: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weblog Why and How to Use Blogs to Promote Your Library Services: http://www.infotoday.com/mls/nov03/fichter.shtml Wikipedia definition of RSS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS_(file_format) FeedBurner: http://www.feedburner.com/ RSS FAQ: http://www.johncletheroe.org/pc_int/rssfaq/index.htm AquaBrowser: http://www.medialab.nl/