Here a blog, there a blog, what about the library blog

Abstract

This small-scale research project investigated publicly accessible library blogs published in English in mid-2006. A total of 457 active library blogs from 11 countries were located using a variety of online resources and search techniques. Content analysis was selected as the method of data analysis, and was applied to print-outs of the front page of each library blog. This data was coded to determine library blog demographics, to compile a comprehensive list of blog features and to establish the purpose(s) and use(s) of these library blogs. Results from the 2006 sample population were contrasted and compared with the most recent research into library blogs, which was conducted in 2003 (see Clyde, 2004a). The findings of the 2006 research indicate that library blogs numbers have definitely increased since 2003, that there is a wide range of features demonstrated on library blogs and that the purposes and uses of library blogs are numerous and varied. This research report provides a detailed discussion of the methods and results of this small-scale research study.