PDF《Centres》

1 shows how websites, the RSS feed XML files, and computer are connected: Figure 1: RSS Feed (Source :http://rss.softwaregarden.com/aboutrss.html) RSS is useful for websites that are updated frequently such as those of news sites, corporations, calendars, database producers, and libraries and information centres. Considerations for Libraries Libraries should consider whether the information contained in a feed meets the needs of the user, and whether obtaining the information via a feed from the publisher will help to compact and provide focused information to users. Not all information is offered through a feed. It may be necessary to "RSS Applications in Libraries and Information Centres," Dr. Sadanand Bansode, N.B. Dahibhate, Kishore Ingale. Library Philosophy and Practice

2009 (March)

3 subscribe to the resource in order for the feed to be useful. Feeds should be updated frequently and expiration dates should be considered. Copyright is another issue to consider (Hart, 2007) Library Web Feeds Libraries are increasingly creating feeds to promote and services. Libraries that offer web feeds for announcements include: Georgia State University Library Lunar and Planetary Institute, Center for Information and Research Services Minneapolis Public Library Northwestern University Library Ohio University Libraries Rowland Institute at Harvard Library Suburban Library System University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Libraries University of Windsor, Leddy Library (McKiernan, 2004) Application of RSS Feeds in the Library There are various RSS feed applications for libraries. Wusteman (2004) lists and describes them, including announcements, extended services, e-journals and table of contents services, reference service, library blogs, web resource announcements, search resource, books, newsgroups, search results, and RSS-based search engines. Advantages and Disadvantages For information producers, advantages include increasing web traffic, easy updating and dissemination of information, and efficiency for webmasters. For web content managers, there is delivery of targeted information and value-added services. For information users, there is control over the flow of information, easy sharing, and a more efficient delivery method. Disadvantages include the fact that not every site has a feed. Some feeds expire after a specific time period. RSS content may not be being fully used, and there may be copyright issues. Librarians must apply selection criteria and evaluate resources to reduce irrelevant results. The Future of RSS RSS will probably be even more prevalent in the future, making information easier to find. Browsers are beginning to include RSS features and plug-ins. Portals targeted to specific interests and subjects are being developed. For libraries, RSS feeds provide a way to disseminate or publish information. As publishing trends change, librarians will have to communicate with patrons using up-to- date methods. RSS can be used for current awareness information and to provide targeted information to patrons. RSS can be an affordable and relatively easy way to communicate with users and colleagues. Bibliography Arnold , S. (2004). Data as pure spring water. Information World Review

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4 Clark, J. (2001), Subject portals. Ariadne

29 (October) Available: http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue29/clark/ Conhaim, W.W. (2004). Wake up to the Blogosphere. Information Today