New Technology, New Uses

I think that there is a perception that libraries and especially archival institutions are outdated and out of touch with the ever-changing world of technology. However, after reading through a few blogs out of a very long list of blogs kept by librarians around the United States, it is apparent that many librarians are plugged in and wired on incorporating the latest technologies into their libraries. However, I think that many archivists have yet to catch up with their librarian counterparts. As an aspiring archivist myself, I would like to proffer a few suggestions as to how archivists can use blogs too.
Currently, I am employed as an intern for the department of the state government which oversees the retention and preservation of public records in the state. As part of my internship, I am also working on projects for the state's SHRAB (State Historic Records Advisory Board). One of the major issues currently facing the archival community in the state is that it is very disjointed. There appear to be a lot of different interests and a lot of misguided perceptions about what the state does in terms of preserving historic or vital records. In other words, there is a problem with image.
Reading the librarian blogs presented me with an image of the library as an institution on the cutting edge, an institution that is sort of...trendy? Therefore, I got to thinking that perhaps starting a blog for the state's SHRAB or for the State Archives might be a way to start working on the image problem. For people who have some interest in history or historic preservation, they would be very interested to find out about the interesting or unique events that occur within the Archives. For instance, there was that time when the largest ear of corn from a State Fair of years past found its way to the Archives in a box of State Fair memorabilia, or the times when the Conservation Lab technician breaks out the collection of the various objects or organisms that have been discovered while processing records over the years.
It would be really great to be able to link a blog to the State Archives or SHRAB website that would be kept by one or a few staff members at the Archives, relating interesting or humorous occurrences at the Archives on a daily or weekly basis. Posting these stories and events for all the world wide web to see could be a huge image booster. It could turn the opinion that the Archives is a drab, scary place around; the public would gain a little insight as to why I really love working at the Archives.
In the future, I hope to use this blog or something similar to give an insiders view of the daily occurrences and interesting finds at the State Archives. Perhaps this is an option to present to the state's SHRAB to increase advocacy and to enhance the perceptions of the public the State Archives serves.