While I discussed in a previous post that I think that everyone in the field of librarianship should create an e-portfolio, I do not think that everyone should necessarily have a blog.
Here are a few pointers for and against entering the world of blogging…
Why you need a blog:
- A blog is a learning opportunity. It is a vehicle through which you can explore your professional interests and share these interests with others.
- It’s a public journal where you can keep track of your activities and share those with others who may be interested in what you’re up to.
- Through things like comments and trackbacks, a blog can connect you with others in the profession.
- It can showcase your commitment to your profession.
- It can showcase your ability to effectively use technology and communicate online.
Why you don’t need a blog:
- You don’t have the time or the motivation to maintain one. Too many blogs exist in a cyberspace graveyard, without updates, which may reflect badly on the author.
- You don’t have the time or the motivation to edit and organize one.
- You don’t have the technical know-how to create one (in which case there are many tutorials online to help).
- You don’t have anything to say that others would be interested in reading. I think that having a focus that will attract a particular audience can alleviate this problem (e.g., base your blog upon a topical area, such as library instruction, library technologies, or, as I have done, professional development and finding employment).
Blogging platforms
- Blogger
- LiveJournal
- Movable Type
- TypePad
- WordPress.com
- WordPress.org (what I use; requires server space)
