Some folks have asked about my dissertation. Last I heard it's number 85 in line for the university reader. So I thought I'd share one of the sections here. This is the analysis of the question "Why do you blog?"
To share information or insight
Sharing is important to the blogging librarians who responded. For this category, 76 respondents had this response, which is 40% of the total. A prevalent word in this answer set was sharing. Respondents used phrases such as “to contribute to the profession,” “to serve the profession,” and “to inspire.” Two types of information seemed to get shared. One was of a personal nature: “my research” or my “point of view.” A respondent wanted to make sure his or her ideas were “a matter of public record.”
The other type of sharing was done to help or inform others. Many respondents used words such as trends, technologies, resources, articles, sites, bookmarks, announcements, new tools, “cool” stuff, and news combined with the word share or sharing. One respondent noted: “To transmit information to the local LIS community.” Another stated: “To share thoughts and points of view with the LIS community.”
A subset of this category included a few respondents who blogged to show others how it works, with responses such as “to model blogging,” “demonstrate what it can do,” and noting blogging was serving as a role model for other rural libraries.
To participate in a conversation or community
There is a wide discussion playing out online. For this category, 53 respondents had this response, which is 28% of the total. Respondents used words and phrases such as connect, create conversation, “keeping in touch” and finding community. Examples included finding other “techies,” going outside the workplace for academic discussions, and finding others to talk to about issues in LIS.
Other words or phrases derived from responses in this category included getting feedback, bouncing ideas and collaborating with others, looking for a “sounding board,” getting differing opinions, and “inviting the outside in.”
Respondents noted that they participated in a discussion, a dialogue, an exchange, or interaction, and created community through shared discussions. Respondents published blogs because they could participate in issues and take an active stand. Other keywords and descriptors included: engaging, “communicating back and forth with readers,” and keeping conversations going. Respondents noted they were participating in a bigger community.
To archive information or experience
An archive stores information for later use. For this category, 47 respondents had this response, which is 25% of the total. These respondents used descriptors such as collect, organize, track, and preserve to archive information such as links, bookmarks, issues, ideas, thoughts, prospective writing topics, and notes. There was also a thread of descriptors about rediscovery: blogging allowed “refinding and remembering information already encountered.” A respondent noted their blog was “my private online post-it note file.” To others, blogging served as a comprehensive “knowledge management tool.”
These bibliobloggers chronicle or record their experiences. Events, projects, courses, and plans were recorded for processing, development and learning. Bibliobloggers tended to reflect on experiences, including successes and failures. One respondent stated blogging created a “cross directional document for my experience.”
To enhance my professional development
Professional development involves keeping current, learning, and improving skills. For this category, 45 respondents had this response, which is 24% of the total. These bibliobloggers found blogging to be a way to stay up on current news, issues, trends, and technologies. Blogging is a way to stay informed, or to “stay tuned in.” Others noted that it kept their skills up because of their teaching responsibilities. Another respondent reported blogging helped to keep workshop content current. Respondents blog as a motivation to stay in the know. One respondent stated blogging is a way to “force myself” to stay current. Another noted blogging is an “educational exercise to motivate me to keep up to date with LIS news and technology.”
Other threads of this category were to practice and improve writing skills, to explore, to experiment, to use new tools, and to “explore the field beyond my current experience/institution.”
To express my perspective or identity
Bibliobloggers found blogging to be a mechanism that allows them to comment or state opinions on issues. For this category, 44 respondents had this response, which is 23% of the total. It’s a way “to express feelings” or “to have an outlet.” One respondent noted: “I can’t shut up.” Others publish their blogs to focus thoughts or to develop a voice.
In addition to general commenting, others identified as having “something different to say” and being “the only ones” engaged in a certain kind of activity. One reported: “It’s a way to tell my story.” Some noted that it was also a way to vent frustrations with jobs or the profession.
To promote myself or the profession
Blogging can be a promotional tool. For this category, 22 respondents had this response, which is 12% of the total. Respondents used descriptors such as “to promote myself,” to build a reputation, and to create a “live resume.” One respondent noted that blogging was “better than any resume.” Other descriptors included: raise my profile, promote myself as someone who cares about libraries, promote my workshops, build credentials, and “create a name for myself.”
Other respondents stated they were concerned with promoting librarianship, including “promote our field, provide publicity, and “help people understand what librarians do” such as explanations of “invisible activities.” One stated blogging “let the public hear what it’s like to be on this side.”
To have fun
Blogging is fun to some. For this category, 16 respondents had this response, which is 8% of the total. Respondents used descriptors “have fun,” enjoy, or entertain to describe why they blogged. One respondent stated: “Because I enjoy it. I do it for myself. I don't care if no one reads it or not, I just like having the space to put my thoughts.”
Summary Categories by Library Type
Almost half of academic librarians surveyed noted sharing as a reason they blog, while public librarians chose conversation and community before sharing. The most prevalent response for school librarians was “to express my perspective or identity,” while special librarians stated archiving as their most popular reason for blogging. LIS students noted professional development first, while those not working in a library reported sharing as their reason to blog.
The category “to have fun” had the most respondents in the academic and public library groups. No school or special librarians noted fun in their responses.
Note. Percentage for each category is based on total of 189 valid responses. 20 of 239 responses were not applicable to the study, and 30 of 239 responses were left blank.
Thanks to Stephen Abram for kicking staring me to get this post up (and for a stern talking to in Toronto last February: "Get it done!") - and to Leslie T. Crang who posted his Masters Dissertation in full: http://librarytwopointzero.blogspot.com/2007/09/dissertation-is-now-freely-available-at.html
