Staring at a blank screen trying to think of something for the library blog? We'll review great blog examples that inspire ideas for content, and we'll discuss how you can organize those ideas and plan ahead for timely, relevant blog topics. Presented at GaCOMO12 by Courtney McGough.

1. We Have a Library Blog!
Now What ?
Courtney McGough
Georgia Council of Media Organizations
2012

2. Poll

3. Need Ideas?

4. Inspiration and Organization

5. Vision
http://www.flickr.com/photos/courtneymcgough/2704127195/

6. Audience

7. Tone or Voice

8. Time and Effort

9. Ideas…
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel

10. Promote Your Services
http://ngcsulibrary.edublogs.org/2012/09/12/help-with-research-2/
http://homer.gsu.edu/blogs/library/2011/02/28/need-help-you-can-
text-us/

11. Use a Topic to Promote
Items from Your Collection
http://blog.dlg.galileo.usg.edu/?p=3740 http://blog.dlg.galileo.usg.edu/?p=3589

12. Promote Databases
and Database Features
http://mcclsbookworm.blogspot.com/2012/08/galileo-at-library-is-powerful-tool.html

13. Post Library Resources for Current
Events
http://northmetrotechlibraryatacworth.blogspot.com/2011/10/waiting-for-great-pumpkin.html
http://northmetrotechlibraryatacworth.blogspot.com/2012/02/leaping-about.html

14. Offer Practical Information to
Students
http://gpclibraries.wordpress.com/2012/08/21/financial-literacy-resources-at-the-gpc-libraries/

15. Public Service Announcements
http://homer.gsu.edu/blogs/library/2011/05/20/how-to-prepare-for-the-zombie-apocalypse/

16. Highlight Government Resources
http://tarverlibrarynews.blogspot.com/2010/09/hot-document-in-
september.html
http://blogs.georgiasouthern.edu/zachsnews/2012/09/13/hot-doc-white-house-ap

17. Show Off Your Collection…
and your great sense of humor
http://dcplive.dekalblibrary.org/2012/05/16/squirrel-wars/

18. Offer an Online Exhibit
http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2012/09/15/225-years-of-the-constitution/

19. Point Out Interesting Items in the
Collection
http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/11/17/almost-daily-photo-
73/
http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2009/07/15/almost-daily-photo-34/

20. Help with Paper Topics
http://asclibrary.wordpress.com/2012/09/19/great-paper-topics-in-science/

21. Help with Citations
http://northmetrotechlibraryatacworth.blogspot.com/2012/05/citations.htm
http://libraries.mercer.edu/news-events/jack-tarver-library-news/zotero-to-replace-re
http://jasonpuckett.net/2012/05/07/zotero-workshop-video/

22. Crowdsourcing Instruction
http://sctclibrary.blogspot.com/2012/09/send-us-your-tasteful-crazy-websites.html

23. Post Photos from Your Area
http://ghclibraries.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/ghc-student-center/
http://www.valdosta.edu/library/blog/2011/08/03/almost-daily-photo-72/

24. Participate in Community Events
(and post cute duck pictures!)
http://claytonstatelibrary.wordpress.com/2012/09/13/casaduck2012/

25. Get Caught Reading
http://dscrobertslibrary.blogspot.com/2012/05/get-caught-reading-roberts-library_08.html

26. Get Patron Participation
http://www.cobbcat.org/blog/?p=543

27. Let the Students Be the Stars
http://csulibraries.blogspot.com/2012/09/spotted-at-library.html

28. Highlight Faculty and Staff
Accomplishments
http://homer.gsu.edu/blogs/library/2012/10/02/dean-berman-reading-new-book-at-carter-library-109/

29. Share Historical Photos
http://atlantahistorycenter.tumblr.com/post/30589316396/carousels-are-too-mainstream-
browse-and-order

30. Georgia History…Then and Now
http://atlantahistorycenter.tumblr.com/post/22392370623/ghost-image-mash-up-photo-of-atlantas-baltimore
http://atlantahistorycenter.tumblr.com/post/18608384653/1975-view-of-the-birthplace-of-dr-martin-l

31. Relive Local History
http://accheritage.blogspot.com/2011/11/29-november-1945-cheer-up-bacon-long.html

32. Quiz Your Readers
http://homer.gsu.edu/blogs/library/2010/11/22/photo-of-the-week-unidentified-intersection-atlanta-1966/
http://homer.gsu.edu/blogs/library/2012/06/14/photo-of-the-week-aerial-of-unknown-georgia-town/

33. Organizing Ideas
 Notebook
 Email folder
 Google Docs
 Evernote
 Calendar

34. Planning Posts
 Think ahead for blog topics during the next
month, semester, season, or year
 Think about the best timing for posts
 Decide who will post what
 Use a calendar
 Write ahead when/if you find time
 Use blog software to schedule posts to appear on
future dates

35. Tips
 Photos
 Take them
 Use your own image resources
 Britannica
 Digital Library of Georgia
 Digitized special collections that you have
 Find images online with a Creative Commons
license
 Look at your blog’s feed in a feed reader
 Don’t be afraid to “upcycle” (update and recycle)
old posts if they are still relevant

36. Questions? Comments?

37. Contact
Courtney McGough
GALILEO Support Services
courtney.mcgough@usg.edu