integrating a blog with an institutional website

OAH Annual Meeting 2009:

Integrating a Blog with an Institutional Website

Mary Paynton SchaffWashington State Library

Why the State Library Started Blogging

• To reach new audiences

• To better advertise our resources

• To re-discover our online community

• To improve internal communication

• To see if it was possible

Old State Library Building, Olympia WA

The State Library’s Blog

• From August 2006 – October 2008

• Wordpress• Hosted offsite• Only agency blog• Used it for:

– Events– Newspaper Gems– New Library Resources

State Library’s Blog Version 2

• From October 2008 -• Wordpress• Hosted onsite• One of many agency blogs• Using it for:

- Events- Newspaper Gems- New Library Resources- Research Stories?

Why Your Institution Should be Blogging

• It’s time to update your website• You need to humanize/justify your efforts• You need to advertise your resources• You need better/easier/cheaper tools• You want people to talk about you• Historians just wanna have fun

Step by Step Guide

1. Define your subject and audience

2. Create a mockup3. Make your pitch4. Get support from

stakeholders5. Collaborate with

interested parties

6. Create policies7. Make sure your

efforts are sustainable

8. Advertise9. Evaluate10.Know when to call it

quits

Reap the Blogging Benefits• Increased awareness• Diversified dialogue

about your institution• Better understanding

of new technologies• Internal “culture of

play” and willingness to experiment

• Peer or industry recognition

Source: Paleo-future/ “America 1908” (Rasenberger) /Harper’s Weekly 1908

Questions? Comments?

Mary Paynton SchaffReference Librarian

Washington State Library

Contact me:

mschaff@secstate.wa.gov

secstate.wa.gov/library

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Presentation available on Slideshare.net

Current State Library, Tumwater WA