RSS

A brief description
RSS stands for "really simple syndication" (Group 3's website, 2007). However, it has also been said to mean "rich site summary" or "Resource Description Framework (RDF) site summary" (Group 3's website, 2007). In any case, RSS uses Extensible Markup Language (XML) to check a website for updates, such as blog entries, news headlines or podcasts, and then disseminate that new information to users who have subscribed to that particular site (Group 3's website, 2007).

A classic RSS icon, , informs the user that he/she is able to subscribe to that website's RSS feed. An RSS feed, also known as a "news feed," "web feed," "RSS stream," or "RSS channel," is a file that allows users to link to a feed's address or URL (Group 3's website, 2007). In other words, an RSS feed is a page of XML code published on the Internet (Group 3's website, 2007). Please click on the following link to see an example of a feed: RSS 1.0 (Wikipedia, 2007).

The software needed to read an RSS feed is a "feeder reader" or "aggregator" (Wikipedia, 2007). Therefore, to subscribe to a feed, the user enters the feed's link into the reader or clicks on the RSS icon in a browser (Wikipedia, 2007). And then the reader regularly scans the feeds the user has subscribed for any updates (Wikipedia, 2007).


How RSS is used in a library

In some libraries, RSS is being used to disseminate information of interest to patrons including the latest library news, new services, and upcoming events (Courtney, 2005; Group 3's website, 2007). "RSS could even be used for customized literature searches of databases; this might be the most exciting opportunity that RSS gives the library field" (Group 3's website, 2007).


The following is a list of several RSS feeds provided to patrons at different libraries (Group 3's website, 2007):

University of Arizona Libraries: Uses RSS for "News and Events." Look for the RSS link.

Ann Arbor District Library: Provides an extensive list of RSS feeds including "Library News," "Director's blog," and "Teen Read Week."

The Undergraduate Library at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign: Can subscribe to an RSS feed for library Alerts as well as their Blog.

The University of Michigan Library: Has RSS for "Library News" and "Events & Exhibits."

The College of New Jersey Library: Has RSS feed for "New Books Search."

Johns Hopkins University's Sheridan Libraries: Has podcasts.

In the Spotlight: News from Northwestern University Library

University of North Carolina University Libraries: Has RSS feed for the latest news.

University of Saskatchewan Library List of Electronic Journals: Can browse for journals, publishers, and sources providing RSS feeds.

OCLC RSS Feeds: Provides RSS and podcasts on news, events, product updates, system alerts, and research.

And last but not least, the Library of Congress uses RSS feeds to deliver the latest news.


Social impact of technology

RSS definitely facilitates the information seeking behavior for many. It is particulary ideal for avid Internet users. It provides them with a tool to control, manage, and organize information, while saving time. Most importantly, it allows users to keep up to date on their topics of interests. In other words, "it helps professionals stay current while reducing workloads" (as cited in Group 3's website, 2007).

It is a totally different way of accessing information. Instead of regularly going out in search of information, in a way, the information is out there seeking the user! Additionally, patrons who subscribe to their local library's blog about news, for example, no longer needs to physically go to the library to get that information, which can save them time, gas, etc.

References

Courtney, N. (Ed.). (2005). Technology for the rest of us. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.

Group 3's website. (2007). About RSS. Retrieved from http://www.u.arizona.edu/~tdsavage/aboutrss/

Wikipedia. (2007). RSS. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS