My Final Proposal - Summer Reading Blog

Name of Technology and Explanation: 

I would like to implement a blog or weblog.  A blog or weblog s a user-generated website where entries are made in journal style and displayed in a reverse chronological order.  (taken from wikipedia)

Explanation of this service and how it will fit into our library system: 

I work for the Southwest Kansas Library.  We serve several public and school libraries in the SW Kansas area.  Our patrons are actually staff members at these libraries.  Every summer most of our public libraries participate in Summer Reading programs.  This is the busiest time throughout the year for most of our libraries.  Our libraries are very good at sharing ideas with one another, usually this is done through our email list.  I think a blog would be perfect for this idea sharing.  Libraries wouldn't have to send or save emails, instead they could just go to our blog and share their ideas or see what other libraries have shared.  This would be a service to our libraries and help out our staff quite a bit, too.  

Evidence that this technology could be useful or has been useful: 

• Kansas Reads to Preschoolers - 2006 was the 2nd year of the Kansas one-book, one-state program for preschoolers which is a project of the Kansas State Library.  During a week in November libraries across Kansas have special programs to celebrate the book that is selected.  This blog was created   through the Kansas Libraries on the Web project to help libraries share their ideas.  Libraries posted lesson plans, project ideas, pictures through flickr, songs, etc. 
• North Texas Regional Library System Blog - Consultants from this system post ideas and happenings for librarians in their system. 

I had problems finding other relevant sites.  I am hoping to add more later when I have some more time to look this week... :)

Possible Roadblocks:

• Not having enough staff time or personnel to keep up the blog.
• Getting libraries to post on the blog. 
• Getting the word out. 
• Training for those that haven't blogged much. 

Roadblock Solutions: 

• Getting libraries from our system to help oversee the blog. 
• Letting libraries post files, posts, etc at their own will.  Keeping the blog open for the most part for anyone that is a registered user. 
• Talk to a few select libraries and have them "seed" the blog with their ideas to get others over the fear of being the first one to post. 
• Get the blog started so there is something to show at the March 20 Summer Reading System workshop. 
• Talk about the blog at board meetings. 
• Put a link on our main webpage. 
• Send out an email on the list. 
• Have a short informal training on blogging on the site.  Have each participant post a Summer Reading Idea. 

Software Solution for the blog:

• I think WordPress would be a good choice for this blog.  Through the Kansas Libraries on the Web project we could have the site hosted for us for free. 
• Several of our libraries have also already had experience with WordPress and I think they would feel comfortable with the format. 
• This would also be a good way for our lbraries to see blogging and WordPress in action so hopefully they will implement a blog or use WordPress in the library. 
•  It will also give me and the rest of the System staff more hands-on "real" experience with blogging and the software which will in turn benefit our libraries if they get stuck or have a problem.