OLJ - Module 2 - RSS feeds.

OLJ - Activity

Now that you have explored some examples of how libraries and the media make use of RSS to deliver updated information and the applications that can tailor and aggregate feeds for specific users, find two (2) additional examples of 'RSS in action', and develop a 350 word post to your OLJ on how RSS can enhance a library or information service’s ability to meet the information needs of its users.

RSS in Web2.0 environment means that the web browser is no longer the only means of viewing a web page" O'Reilly (2007, P 25). Users have the power to pull information updates to any devices and share those with their friends.   "It provides users a way to syndicate and republish content on the Web" (Arora, 2009, p.53).   RSS empowers information sharing as since its delivery in 1997 by Dave Winer, it has turned "webblogs from an ease-of publishing phenomenon into a conversational mess of overlapping communities" (O'Reilly 2007, P 25). RSS enables organisation to create a magnet from which people can be pulled to information content on their website.   

So...
Create         Publish          Distribute

Source: Feedburner.google.com

RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication" but also referred to as "Rich Site Summary". RSS is technology used to distribute information from websites. With RSS, readers can subscribe to timely updates from their favourite websites or to aggregate feeds from many sites into one place. RSS feeds can be read using software called an "RSS reader", "feed reader", or "aggregator", which can be web based, desktop based or mobile based.

Organisations such as Libraries need their customers to stay informed of new information resources and services acquired or offerred by the library.

The collaboration of RSS feeds to the "Next generation library catalogue" has greatly enhanced the way that libraries now delivered their services  (Arora, 2009, p.53). With RSS, users have ability to subscribe to an alert that gives them a list of new titles acquired by the library. Right  from their own space, they can then  request the new book delivered to them.

The screen shot below illustrates the ability to subscribe to titles of interest from the library catalogue.

Source: Auckland City Libraries

See the amazing things Dekalb county public library is doing with RSS feed. With RSS feeds, their users can  keep up to date on the latest additions to the library catalog. This library also offers Calendar of Events RSS feeds for every event type, age group, and library branch.

In fact, RSS feed has become a standard feature of the new generation library catalogue.  RSS “feeds” free library customers  from having to constantly search the library catalogue to see if anything new and interesting has been acquired. The required  information is delivered to customers as soon as it is available.

Here is the highlight of how libraries are using RSS feed:

• New additions that match a users particular interest
• Newly published articles
• Newly added items by Media type.
• Newly added items by Subject
• Newly added items by Author
• Newly added items by Time period
• Library notices
• Library calendar/events
• News and current affairs
• Community events
• Use of RSS for checked-out history. User can always keep track of all items they have checked out.