5. Travels with libraries

11 Quick Tips for Writing Compelling Posts On Your Blog -- bit.ly/11yDYHz #ebshare
— edublogs (@edublogs) May 29, 2013

Thanks to @c_hocking, @edublogs and #anz23mthings for putting me on to a great list of blog tips from Problogger. My blog surpassed 1000 views today (even without doing many of the things listed...)! But time to step it up. One thing I'm going to try to do more of from the list is tell more stories. According to Problogger they are a good way to connect with your audience and create lasting memories. Stories were the theme of this year's library and information week too, so let me tell a story about libraries and me.

In 2000 a friend and I volunteered at a summer camp in Atlanta, Georgia and when it finished, still in need of adventure, we travelled up the east coast of America, through the Appalachian mountains, along the beautiful Blue Ridge parkway, all the way up to Washington DC on mountain bikes with $1000 between us to last 3 months. 

We camped in the forest, we drank stream water, we met bears and bobcats, and when we reached settlements, we went to the libraries. We didn't go there for books. We went there to access the computers, to let friends and family know via email that we hadn't been eaten by bears (we had no mobiles), to catch up on world news, to relax in a safe and warm environment and to find our what the local attractions were by chatting with the librarians and looking at the local collection. We must have visited about 20 libraries and it was always like coming home.

In Washington DC we cycled up to the Library of Congress and took photos in front of it, we visited museums and art galleries and had a blast without blowing our budget (which was spent almost entirely on food!). I only wish I had some of the photos in digital form to show! I can't imagine a world without these community cultural institutions... libraries, museums and art galleries. That was a once in a lifetime trip - because I don't think that I can travel on so little money ever again! 

Have you visited memorable libraries on your travels?

image via Wikimedia Commons

1. Blog June, and all about blogging

Thanks to @Flexnib for organising #blogjune and for this meme! Blogging everyday is going to be hard, especially as I've been trying to use this blog for serious reflection which does take time! There will be some shorter posts this month, but that's ok too. I know posting quality content regularly is a good way to get followers, and I want more followers to make more connections with people who inspire me. Read on!

How long have you been blogging? 

I've been blogging regularly since 2005, but that's my personal blog. This blog, which I regard as my 'professional' blog, started just last month!

Why did you start blogging? 

I was inspired to start this blog by the 23 mobile things course. I wanted to record and respond to what I was learning there, but this blog has already expanded to other library-related topics, which I'm happy about :) I also hope to connect with other library professionals through this blog.

How many times a week do you post an entry? 

So far, every few days, but for #blogjune.... EVERYDAY! C'mon!

How many different blogs do you read on a regular basis?

Quite a few... I have a blogroll that I check regularly (library blogs) and there are also a few non-library blogs that I like reading. They have to have a theme though. If the theme is just 'me' I get bored quickly. 

Do you comment on other people’s blogs? Do you keep track of how many visitors you have? 

I sometimes comment on other people's blogs. That's something I want to do more of in #commentjuly. I do keep track of how many visitors I have, why not? It motivates me to write.

Did you ever regret a post that you wrote? 

No. But I have regretted tweets.

Do you think your readers have a true sense of who you are based on your blog?

Not really, because I don't use my blog to write about myself. I use it to reflect on library things, but I guess one side of my personality comes through. 

Do you blog under your real name? Yep.

Are there topics that you would never blog about? 

There's only one topic I blog about - anything relating (in any way) to LIBRARIES :)

What is the theme/topic of your blog? 

Library world!

Do you have more than one blog? If so, why? 

Yes, I have a personal blog where I store and describe all of my best photos (I used up so much space that I had to pay for extra, grrr) and record important / fun / memorable days in my life. I have a professional blog for reflection on happenings in the library world. I like to keep the two separate. 

What have you found to be the benefits of blogging? 

Having a record of my thoughts that I can go back to and a place to curate content that I've found useful. More recently, it's been a rewarding way to connect with people in the library world. Also, just seeing something that I created up on the internet is pretty cool! 

So, why do you continue to blog? 

What can I say, I'm addicted.

Lurk, Broadcast, Create, Engage

There's lots of stuff floating around the Interwebs at the moment about engagement with social media.

Like this Stages of PLN adoption infographic and article, written a few years ago but still provoking discussion.

Abigail asked, which stage are you at?

Great visual diagram of #PLN (Personal Learning Network) stages. #anz23mthings peeps which stage are you at? flickr.com/photos/jutecht…
— Abigail Willemse (@ajwillemse91) May 13, 2013

OK, so I've definatley been through the stages of immersion (twice...) and evaluation (including irrational frustration that some of my key people are not on Twitter). I think I'm possibly going through the know it all stage again right now with the 23 Mobile Things course. I love the perspective stage, leaving it all behind to enjoy a wireless holiday (gone is that jittery addiced feeling!). And finally balance. A worthy goal. I tried a bit of balance yesterday. After realising that I'd been connected and connecting online all day, I read a book in the evening. But why did by mind keep sneakily returning to my mobile and my Twitter feed? I didn't allow myself to check it, but whatever happened to the days that I could immerse myself in a book and not be distracted by ANYTHING?

One way I've decided to combat this addictive feeling, apart from consciously choosing to switch off when it's sensible to do so, is to be less of a lurker / broadcaster and more of a creater / engager. It forces me to slow down and choose what to respond to, which is whatever moves me to do so. I've been a terrible lurker in the past. But I'm determined to change. Here's my list:

1. Use my blog to reflect on what moves me
2. Post comments on others' blogs
3. Converse more, broadcast less on Twitter and Instagram

Another thing I liked recently was this post on the Forbes website. Jessica's post was called How to be Interesting but I would re-title it Being the Best You Can Be (sounds less like you're tyring to please someone, doesn't it?) or even Things to Consider When Blogging. She's got 10 points, each with a cute little infographic. One of them was "embrace your innate weirdness" - apparently that's what makes us as indiviuals interesting.

My favourite blogs to follow are the ones that have a little bit of personal / strange content as well as lots of professional content. Now to implement that in my own blog...