RSS In Action

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.

The first Library example of an alternative use for RSS is the La Trobe University

The Library has a very good and easy to use tutorial page for new users to learn how to sign up to its RSS service. This will encourage users to sign up to and use the RSS feeds as they are able to understand how they work.

The link to the tutorial can be found here http://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/rss/

I really liked the way that it had its new titles RSS feeds divided into a menu according to which subjects the user was interested in. It is a very time friendly application for university students who may be very time poor due to their study commitments.

Students and staff will be more inclined to use the RSS feed as it can see that the university has developed this application with their time needs in mind.

The link can be found here   http://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/rss/new-titles/

The second library example of an alternative use for RSS is the Cambridge University Library

The library provides users with an RSS feed which will advise the user of any downtime of the university website that they are planning in order to do scheduled maintenance. This will help staff and students to be able to plan their schedules around any disruptions that may occur so that they are not inconvenienced at the last minute which may result in a late assignment or class lesson plan.

Library users will be more likely to use the online site as they will see that it is very reliable.

The link to this RSS can be found here. http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/newspublishing/rss.php?c=4

The next handy RSS feed that the library offered was a Loans feed to see when your books are due. This will be a handy reminder for users that their books are due back and that they will either need to renew the items for return them. Users will be more likely to use the library service as they know that the university will help them in keeping track of when their books are due back and preventing them from getting costly overdue fines.

The link to this RSS feed can be found here. http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/toolbox/rss.html