The best thing about maintaining a blog is that it's a fast, efficient means to communicate with staff and students. By its very nature, a blog provides constant, passive communication: I post when I have time, students and staff read the posts when they have the time.
The greatest challenge? Attracting an audience! The greatest content in the world is wasted if no one ever visits the site. On nearly every occasion that a class visited the library, I had a projector set up so that I could show them the latest blog posts. At the very least, I know they have seen the blog while visiting the library. My hope is that they walk out the door and then later think to visit on their own.
Another challenge is finding the time to post regularly. This is also closely linked to attracting an audience. If a blog is not maintained consistently, or includes sporadic posting, it becomes all the more difficult to attract and keep an audience. To the end of consistent posting, I established that on certain days of the week, I would always post certain content. For example, Mondays were always Book of the Week, where I would recommend and discuss a favorite book. Wednesdays were always Library Tip of the Week and Fridays New Arrivals! Having that structure in place really helped me consistently update the blog, even when time was really tight.
Like the day of week additions. I am going to incorporate your idea into my work schedule next year. Might even start it this summer.
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