New blog options

Wednesday, January 24th, the IRC blog template migrated to the new Beta version of Blogger. While the information provided within individual blog posts remains unchanged, several different organizational features are now available that make using the blog more convenient.

Category labels have been added to the bottom of each post that correspond to content within the post. A blog sidebar lists Blog Categories and will allow users to click on a particular topic to view all posts with the same labels. If you are looking for juvenile book posts, of which there are currently 28, click on the juvenile book link. At this time, all posts from October 18, 2006 and forward have been labeled. Older posts will be updated as time permits. Additionally, some postings have tags and labels. The tags are technorati tags and are being used by bloggers to help categorize and label blogs in general. Clicking on a tag will take you to technorati and other blogs using the same tag will be visible.

Two book blog widgets from Library Thing have been added to the sidebar. These widgets, IRC Book Review Blog and New IRC Reference, feature new additions to the juvenile collection recently reviewed and new additions to the IRC reference collection. For more information on individual titles, search the catalog from the blog (another sidebar option), or follow the links provided to the library catalog.

Remember, site feeds are available on all of the IRC blogs. Use them and the latest news and information will be delivered immediately to the reader of your choice. I hope you enjoy the recent blog additions.

Tags: LibraryThing, Blog widgets, Technorati

Blog News

A new function has been added to the blog, it is now possible to search the AU library catalog directly from the IRC blog. A catalog search widget has been added to the library links and catalog quick links section.

The IRC quick links remain available, providing short cuts to many IRC resources.

Clipart: http://school.discovery.com/clipart

IRC Site Feed

Above the previous posts listing is a link to site feed, now available for the IRC blog. What is a site feed? It allows you to read posts using a simple XML feed viewing the blog info minus the formatting. Two options are available; Blogger site feed and FeedBurner.

• Blogger site feed link:
  Takes you to the XML feed to read the blog post
• FeedBurner site feed link:
  Takes you to an ATOM powered site feed and provides links to subscribe to any blog providing site feeds.
• Bloglines.com
  One of the links offered from the Feedburner link. Bloglines is owned and operated by Ask Jeeves. Check it out, it's free.
  

The New IRC Collection Blog

Welcome to the Instructional Resource Center Collection Blog! Beginning with the fall 2005 academic school year, this blog will replace the yearly book lists published on the IRC web page. Items, both circulating and reference, will be entered as they are cataloged and available for use. Each entry will have an accompanying heading, specific to the genre. Please note that anyone with a specific book request will continued to be personally notified via email when the books arrive.

IRC Collection:

• Curriculum Textbooks
• Activity Books
• Materials Kits
• Audio Books
• Educational Software
• Reference
• Posters and Maps
• Book Kits

Education Collection:

• Juvenile
• Library of Congress "L"
• General Education Purchases

Book lists from the 2004-2005 Academic year will be posted on the IRC web site as soon as they are available. Additionally, previous years will continue to be archived.