Resource Review #4: Following Up with Students using RSS

Cohen, Steven. "The Power of RSS: Instant Information Updating Based on Quality Searches." MultiMedia & Internet@Schools. Medford: Jan/Feb 2008. Vol. 15, Iss. 1; pg. 14

This article lays out a very compelling argument for the many reasons that RSS is useful for librarians. However, it's strongest point comes from RSS's power to keep you updated with information regarding past searches in databases http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif-- a follow-up service from librarians to their patrons. Cohen asks "When does the reference interview end? Is it when the student walks out the door? Is it when the library closes? Or when the librarian hangs up the telephone?" Cohen recalls that in his experience as a Reference, and now Law Librarian, the interview ends whenever the question being posed is turned in for submission. So, if a student asks a question for a paper due in 4 weeks, then that is when the reference interview is over.

Cohen suggests that using RSS within databases you have searched for the patron is an easy way to be notified about new entries in the database that fit under your search; providing you with new information for quality follow-up service. He goes on to note some popular databases that have RSS features (PubMed, EBSCO)as well as news sources like the New York Times. There are also noted some search engines that search for keywords in blogs that have RSS capabilities. At www.opencongress.org, "you can use RSS to track news about congressional representatives and current bills, and even get news and blog posts about each bill."

Collection development is an area that I had never heard in relation to RSS until reading this article. Cohen suggests subscribing to RSS feeds from Amazon and LibraryThing in order to stay on top of new books.

I can definitely see that RSS feeds in databases would be helpful for follow-up reference in academic libraries, although in public libraries it could be used, but probably not as heavily. In public libraries it might be more useful as a collection development tool, or keeping up with the news. Overall, Cohen writes with a casual but upbeat style that really encourages librarians to use RSS for all of its' capabilities.

Resource Review #3: Indiana Libraries talk about RSS

Helling, B. RSS Feeds. Indiana Libraries v. 27 no. 1 (2008) p. 46-54

Helling's article provided a very comprehensive view of RSS, featuring the history, definiton, and application of RSS. Helling puts RSS into context of other technical tools and forms, such as blogs, podcasts and vodcasts. The article was technically detailed enough so that a person with fairly unfamiliar with technology could easily understand the nature of how RSS works, while readers with more advanced knowledge could implement some of the processes of how to create RSS feeds with various tools.

The article starts with by explaining the origin of RSS, in that it was developed because there was a need for a simple way to gather information and make it accessible to read and easy to transmit for readers and creators. Helling explains that in the early days of web blogging, bloggers had to be very motivated and efficient in order to continuously update information on their blog, and could only hope that people would visit their site and make note of the updates, while readers had to be very motivated and efficient to continuously check each of their favorite sites for updates. RSS was created to make the transfer of information more effortless for each of the parties.

It then goes on to explain that RSS is actually an XML format used for blogs, podcasts, etc. This is elaborated in a section of the paper titled "Anatomy of an RSS Feed," in which instructions are provided for for how to create an RSS feed yourself. There are a variety of options, ranging from using a simple text editor to type the XML directly, using a feed generator such as ListGarden RSS Feed Generator, a commercial service such as blogger.com (just like me!), or through software downloaded on your computer. These technical explanations are very informative and easy to understand--ideal for someone with basic technology skills. However, this section may be rather esoteric for someone unfamiliar with technological jargon.

In the last section of the article, Helling finally answers the question we've all been waiting for: "What do libraries have to gain?" He explains that RSS is not simply a passing fad, but a useful way to deliver content to users wishing to keep up on their interests in an increasingly confusing technical environment. It is also mentioned that many Integrated Library Systems are providing RSS features into their catalogs.

Overall, the article gave a wonderful overview of the nature of RSS, and provided a compelling argument to learn and implement RSS into your library. Helling advocated for the adoption of this technology in a calm and rational light.