How media centers can use blogging to reach their students and stimulate interest in the library.

1. Recipe for a Successful Media Center Blog By TeraleeElBasri

2. Step One: First, take one school… Any school will do – Elementary school Middle school High school You get the picture!

3. Step Two: Add one talented media specialist…

4. Step Three: Add to the mix one computer with internet access… You’re almost done!

5. Step Four: Find some cool sites to set up a blog (it’s really easy!) Try a few of these: Schoolblogs.net Network Set up by an elementary school teacher who saw students were more likely to participate when blogging was involved in the assignment. All about edublogs | Edublogs - teacher and student blogs Free blogging site created by Google. WordPress.com » Get a Free Blog Here Popular, and easy to use blogging site. Blogger: Create your free blog Excellent site for teachers to set up their own blogs for their classrooms!

6. Finally: Bring together a group of students who want to stay connected and participate in what goes on in the media center…

7. Now you have the beginnings of a successful blog!

8. I’ve got a site, now what? Blogs are useful for many different things. As the media specialist it’s up to you to decide what you would like your blog used for. Here’s a few ideas to get you started!

9. Reader Reviews Student reviews of books Media Specialist reviews and annotations Book ratings Video reviews embedded in blog

10. Book Videos « The Unquiet Library

11. Programs and Activities Author visits/Programs Class work Displays Contests and other activities Announcements

12. Media Center: Announcements

13. Summer Reading A good way to keep kids connected during the summer and easy to update Kids can comment or ask questions Safe social site Programming/incentives

14. Mrs. Rowland’s Media Center Blog

15. Other Ideas for Using Blogs Pathfinders Polls Surveys Research links Links to class wiki’s BE CREATIVE!!!

16. Last But NOT Least… Have fun! Students will be drawn to a blog where they can see creativity, color, interesting tidbits, and above all a place where they can share their thoughts and ideas about books and what is going on in the media center. HAPPY BLOGGING!

17. CREDITS Photos "Annoying IT guy likes naughty librarian. Why am I unsurprised?” by Flikr user RodBegbie School days by Flikr user AriCee Student Impressions by Flikr user Jose Kevo Music Trawnicing by ccmixter user Pitx Sound Produced using Audacity