Popular and successful public library blogs in Hungary

Abstract

The number of library blogs is constantly increasing. However, the question arises whether their existence is justified, i.e. whether they fulfil their function or are not trusted any more with time. The article deals with the following issues of public library blogs in Hungary: the number of visitors and its correlation with the volume of communication; popularity among the users of virtual and physical library spaces; relationships between the uses through these two interfaces; the amount of time and energy spent on operating a successful blog. The author analysed statistical data on visits to public library blogs, conducted a questionnaire survey among the readers of the most popular blog and the users of the relevant library, plus prepared an interview with the editor of another popular blog. The research revealed that there exist weblogs in Hungary which are able to address the library’s direct and extended audience effectively. The web pages in question attract much more visitors as compared to other public library blogs, and are operating on an interactive basis, involving readers. For a successful public library blog several important factors must co-exist: a creative librarian, interesting posts, the use of up-to-date Web 2.0 tools etc.