Blogging the Library
I helped to launch and supported the library’s blogging program from its beginning in 2008 until 2016. As a reference librarian and budding "digital producer" I taught library workers the tools and skills they needed to get their collections knowledge out onto the internet where it could be discovered by search engines and put to use by readers in New York and around the world.
As soon as I started my career in 2004 I began to witness the rapid evolution of reference work and information seeking behavior. More and more readers and researchers were gathering online, and by prioritizing access and education, libraries were working hard to close the digital divide. In addition to supporting the virtual reference team, I also helped to kickstart the library's social media presence in 2008 and formation of an online recommendation and readers' advisory service in 2013.
My vision for the blog was as a vibrant and diverse community that reflected our values and presented information clearly and accessibly, with citations and referrals to library collections. I also read (and responded to) comments! Being able to spark moments of connection, whether online or in person, is one of the most rewarding parts of library work.
2016
- #NPS100: Celebrating the National Park Service Centennial
- Election 2016: Register, Research, and Vote
- A Super Bowl of Snacks: Books for Making Football Food
- #nyplremix: Get Creative With the Public Domain
- Women’s History in Digital Collections
2015
- Let's Toast
- The Process Behind the Produce: What's In Your Food?
- Coffee Talk
- The Ticketless Traveler: Food and Cooking Edition
- We All Scream for Ice Cream: Books and Resources for Making Your Own
- Library Guide to Binge-Watching
- Black Life Matters Wikipedia Edit-a-thon: How You Can Help
2014
- What's Your Costume? Halloween How-To
- How to Clean Things
- For Graduation Day and After
- Don't Stop Believin'... It's Karaoke Night
2013
- Around the World with Travel Guides
- Celebrate National Doughnut Day
- Mother's Day Reads
- NYC Restaurant Cookbooks
- How the Sausage Gets Made: Books About the Food Industry
2012
- Conquer Clutter in 2013
- The Art and Science of Cooking
- Factcheck Your Friends: Misinformation on Social Media
- Age of Power and Wonder
- Election 2012: Register, Research, and Vote
- On the Trivial Pursuit of Useless Information
- Grow, Preserve, Pickle, Cure, Brew, Do It Yourself: Homesteading in the City
- Cracking the Code: Learning Computer Programming Languages
- How Do I Love Reading? Let Me Count the Ways
- Wiki Gangs of New York Edit-a-thon
- Hurricane Sandy Recovery Information