The Library Diva and I were emailing each other about blogging and professionalism and the discussion naturally progressed to blogging etiquette.

Blogging is rapidly growing, and every day more and more people decide to start their own blog. Most jump into the mix without any direction or thought. If your blog is a personal diary that you are using to communicate with family members then you really don't have to worry as much about blogger etiquette as you would about upsetting your mom about your late night drinking escapades.
However, there are more an more professional blogs popping up and it is amazing to see some glaring gaffes on these otherwise spectacular sites. These lapses in etiquette can taint an otherwise interesting and insightful blog.

I came up with a Top Ten List of Blogging Etiquette.
I compiled this list after reading Michael Stephens Tame the Web Blog, Ten Things a Blogging Librarian Must Do, Rebecca Blood's WebLog Ethics chapter and The Cyber Journalist's, A Bloggers' Code of Ethics. A special thanks to Karen Schneider's Free Range Librarian blog which directed me to these sites.

1. Cite Your Sources! If you are mentioning a bit of news, cite where you got that information. If you are blogging about a topic that you read on another blog, mention that blog in your post and link to it. Obviously two blogs on the same topic will have similar posts and authors may actually independently post about the same thing if they get their news feeds from the same source. That speaks to the importance of that news item. But it is glaringly obvious when somebody has poached a post from another blog. The whole idea of blogging is links!
2. Check Your Facts! Make sure what you have said is true. Don't go off re-posting something that is false or half truths. I liken this to those damn email hoaxes that I always get. Those emails only survive because people are too lazy to verify them on the multiple hoax sites. It is much easier to be shocked and then send them to 100 of your closest friends with a click of a button. If you post false information, it will perpetuate and have a life of its own.
3. Persistence and Relevance! If you decide to blog realize it is a time commitment. Make an assessment as to how much time you can devote. All too often people have a good intentions and blog like there is no tomorrow, only to forget their "flavor of the year hobby." I have run into more interesting blog subjects only to be disappointed that they haven't been updated in a year. Also, think of what you want to write. If your topic is small and doesn't generate massive amounts of information, then don't blog just to blog. You will dilute your message and most likely get carpal tunnel syndrome.
4. Re-read and Then Click Post! I admit I have fallen prey to this, but I try to re-read everything I have written before I publish it. I can always be better. Spelling errors, incomplete sentences, odd phrasing all undermine your credibility.
5. When and Where Are You Blogging?! Don't blog on your personal blog during work hours. This may be specifically appropriate to special librarians who work for companies. Double check as to whether you can do a professional blog while at work. Some employers don't want you blogging about the work place. Others don't want you blogging during their work time. When it doubt, don't blog at work and don't blog during work time. Blogging is not worth losing your job over.
6. Show Some Personality! Every blog should not be just a re-listing of your favorite news item or web site. Offer some incites and give some opinions. Not every blog entry leads itself to earth shattering commentary, but a blog devoid of opinion is the against the purpose of blogging. There are ways to give your opinion in a professional manner.
7. Allow Comments! This sounds strange but I have been on sites that discourage or have eliminated comments. Again, what is the purpose of blogging if there is no two way communication between the blogger and readers?
8. Share Experiences! Some of my favorite blogs are from people who have posted specifically what they are doing in their library. How they handled a situation, or what they loved about a specific product. I think this is one of the best examples of how blogs can enhance librarians jobs. Think of it as an extension of the library listserv you are on. Most often people email the list with questions. Very rarely does somebody email the list to brag or merely state how they did something or solved a problem. Why not use your blog to do that. Chances are somebody else can learn from you.
9. Watch Sensitive Information! In the medical profession we are always reminded about confidentiality. I think most librarians immediately think of the confidentiality of their patrons, which is important. However, don't forget to think about any confidentiality agreements that your library has. If you are going to talk about a specific vendor and their services or prices, are those things bound by confidentiality clauses? For example if your library or library consortia made a huge wonderful deal with a specific vendor for online journal access, you might want to check to make sure you can post the nitty gritty details before you accidentally violate any confidentiality agreements.
10. Have Fun! What is the point in doing anything unless you are having fun doing it?