The Effects on Reader Services of Applying Blogs in High School Libraries in Taiwan

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore high school library blogs in terms of its construction, purposes, contents and influences to reader services in Taiwan. Ten highly- represented high school library blogs were chosen and compared by using content analysis and interview methods. The findings suggested that the majority of the blog content in high school libraries focus on promoting reading activities. Second, the purposes of constructing library blog are to announce library-related news, provide students a reading environment, and to coordinate with teachers’ instructional activities. Third, the most distinctive influence of library blog in terms of reader services is the extension of communication channel and simplification of announcement procedure. Fourth, more than half of the high school library blogs have reached their expected goals on reader services. Finally, most of the high school libraries are intended to continuingly maintain their blogs toward multiple services direction. Based on above findings, the study has reached the conclusion that the construction of blog is indeed helpful to enhance library reader services. However, the support of school authorities is the key factor on whether the application of blog can be successful to high school libraries.