Another way to share information

Until being introduced to blogging through this project, the most common form of electronic information-sharing in which I have participated is the various Listservs used by the customers of Sirsi to share information. And they are wonderful! There are so many knowledgeable and helpful people on the ListServs that it is often the first place to seek advice, bypassing Sirsi's own Client Care department. There is also a customer Wiki, to which customers can post solutions to problems, ideas, workarounds, etc.


Since I'm new to blogging, it's hard to know for sure the advantages of this medium over older ones. My guess would be that the primary advantage is that it's easy and widespread. Groups can form themselves without a moderator, and the hosting is free. The ListServ posts I'm familiar with are closed groups that tend to ask questions and provide answers to solve problems. Blogs seem to appeal to those who are dying to share something wonderful with

others.

As a staff tool in libraries, it could be a way to expand to a wider audience the work-related conversations we have in small groups. Favorite books or authors, news from other branches, interesting or difficult reference questions would all lend themselves to this informal medium. Blogs have also taken off as a means to share thoughts and opinions publicly. The audience is theoretically more widespread than press releases and much more dynamic. Many libraries use blogs to promote their programs and services and to appeal to a different demographic.