Behind the Headlines

It’s a fun day in a newsroom when we get to report on events people are happy and excited about. Today is one of those days.

The buzz surrounding the release of J.K. Rowling’s book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows tonight is reaching fever pitch. The Lexington Public Library reported Thursday that it had ordered 175 print and audio editions of the book, and had put more than 500 reservations on its waiting list.

The Herald-Leader has tasked six reporters and photographers with collecting stories and images from parties, bookstores and libraries all over Lexington and Georgetown. They’ll be experimenting with blogging, audio recording, digital slideshows and video production, all live in the space of about 10 hours today. Two editors in the newsroom will be compiling their work for use on a couple of different Web sites as well as the morning newspaper.

Then resident wizard Heather Chapman, and guest writers from the community, will take over blogging as she sprints through the book.

Seems like a lot over a children’s book, doesn’t it? Maybe so, but I relish the chance to experiment with new technology and ways of telling stories. This kind of effort on a light, fun story means our staff does an even better job telling the hard-hitting breaking news that comes when we least expect it.

Watch The Muggle Tongue blog starting about 5 p.m. today to see how our staffers are doing. And let us know if you like it!

Dori Hjalmarson
Assistant metro editor