[WEB4LIB] Using private blog for library intranet?

[Deidre Lowe]

Hi Michael,

At the University of Southern Queensland we have a blog set up for
internal purposes to notify Library staff of all changes relating to our
electronic resources (subscriptions, trials, downtime, tips etc).  The
blog was written by our Electronic Services Officer and is hosted on an
internal University server.  When a new item is posted, a global email
is automatically sent to all Library staff while the post itself is
archived in the blog for later reference.  Only a handful of staff (our
CMS web editors) have administrative privileges for writing posts.

The blog is only accessible to Library staff, who use their campus login
to access the contents.  

The main benefits over just sending global emails are:
- staff can access the blog from anywhere (including the reference desk,
faculty offices, off campus) using their campus login
- posts are searchable
- staff don't need to keep individual records of resource announcements
in their own mailbox
- the blog is the definitive reference point for any information
relating to our electronic resources subscriptions.

Because it is an internal application, I can't give you access, but I
could send you screen captures if it is of interest.

Regards,
Deidre.
----------------------------
Deidre Lowe
Acting Associate Librarian (Information Access)
The Library, University of Southern Queensland
West St, Toowoomba  QLD  4350

Ph: +61.7.4631.1846
Fax: +61.7.4631.1841
E-mail: lowe at usq.edu.au

http://www.usq.edu.au/library/

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Michael McCulley
Sent: Friday, 15 October 2004 3:44 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Using private blog for library intranet?


Posted to cross-lists; apologies if you see more than once..

With the increase in blogging software, including open source, and the 
growing use of Intranets in libraries,
I was wondering if anyone is using or has tried using a blog or blogs in
a 
private way for their intranet, or
any part of an intranet.

Like perhaps other governmental or institutional libraries, we have a 
difficult time being on the leading
edge of much technology once you factor in the approval and review
process, 
bidding, RFPs, costs,
and other factors. Many of the services we are drawn to today to help 
overcome this barrier to innovation
seem to be the "hosted" version of applications; our Calendar of Events,
for 
example, was up and running
within days of signing up.

I'm exploring the "private blogs for communication or
information-sharing 
via an intranet" arena since I think
we would benefit from an intranet and a blog, though we have neither. It

would be a hosted blog (intranet stand-in),
rather than something on internal or organizational servers.

Any tips, sites, or thoughts welcomed.. here or directly. I'll summarize
for 
the list if there's interest.

Best regards,

__________________________________________________________________
P. Michael McCulley aka DrWeb
 E-mail: drweb at san.rr.com San Diego, CA
 San Diego Public Library / *speaking only for himself*
__________________________________________________________________