OPAL: Conference Blogging

notes by Starr Hoffman

6.9.06

 

Speaker: Andrea Mercado

(PLABlog.org, LibraryTechtonics.info)

 

main aspect of conference blogging: timeliness

  • “live blogging” is possible with wi-fi
  • “con-grunting” = posting notes as quickly as possible, without editing

 

First Experience

  • ALA Midwinter 2005, PLA had 10-15 bloggers
  • Andrea Mercado & Steven Cohen head the project

 

Important to Create a Mission Statement

  • for an organizational blog
  • for any new technology used by your group
  • specify what the technology is to be used for (purpose, audience, scope)

 

PLA Uses:

 

To be a PLA Blogger

  • no experience is necessary (either as a conference blogger or as a blogger at all)
  • no gear necessary (don’t need a laptop or PDA)
  • volunteers choose which and how many sessions to blog (not assigned)
  • don’t have to attend a lot of sessions
  • multiple bloggers can cover one session, if interested
  • can blog things other than sessions:
    • “conference flavor” (photos, receptions, meals, conversations, interviews with other librarians)
    • other programs of interest to public librarians
    • no vendor posting (can’t blog about vendor events, swag, etc.)

 

Primary Guidelines for PLA Bloggers

  • to sign ALA copyright agreement (for blog content)
  • to communicate ideas clearly
  • avoid slander/libel
    • (PLA does not pre-screen/approve/edit posts, unless they contain slander/libel)

 

PLABlog Changes

 

Decide Before Beginning an Organizational Blog

  • scope: internal vs. public
  • set goals, guidelines, and establish teams
  • will it feature ongoing/sporadic content, mixed content, etc.?
  • use software that allows multiple authors
  • set up training

 

last 5-10 minutes missed; will add further notes after listening to podcast

 

This event is available in the OPAL archive.

 

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