Share On and Write On, My Friend: Why Blogs and RSS Feeds Are Important To Libraries

In last week's blog post, I yammered on about how libraries should make use of Web 2.0 sites whenever possible. It just so happens that this wee little blog you're reading, along with the bazillions more out there, belong to the Web 2.0. club. 

As a quick reminder, blogs are similar to online journals, where all my attempts at sharing information (otherwise known as articles) float about in chronological order. I can already picture those familiar with blogging rolling their eyes and groaning. However, if you need more info on blogs, I highly recommend Ellyssa Kroski's Web 2.0. for Librarians and Information Professionals. She gives a great overview on them.

But today, the main focus is going to be on how RSS feeds and blogs shape the library world in a positive way.

You may be wondering what an RSS feed is. Is it an acronym for Rad Superb Stories? Or is it the short form of Really Simple, Stupid?

Well, not quite. But it's really simple to grasp.

RSS stands for Rich Site Summary, or better known as Really Simple Syndication. It can help users keep track of new info coming out without having to check on their website of choice day after day.

You're probably more familiar with RSS feeds than you might think. See this little symbol here? It indicates that a website uses RSS:

So how are libraries making use of this bad-spray-tan coloured icon and blog posts? In ways far beyond the realms of your imagination, dear reader.

All joking aside, RSS feeds and the blogosphere are now important to the modern-day library and its patrons. 

So all those really cool announcements about new titles? Libraries can now put that into an RSS feed, with the result being that followers are

notified without having to access the library's main website. Simply put, blogs and RSS feeds give information out more effectively and quickly than traditional means. 

Libraries don't have use RSS feeds and blogs in just this way of course. I also think that they're useful for announcements in library policy changes, new dates for story times, updates on meet-and-greets, you name it. There's a plethora of ways libraries can use RSS feeds and blogs to their advantage.

Of course, I wouldn't just leave you hanging without sharing a few of my favourite library blogs and their URLs. They're user-friendly, have plenty of eye-candy, and have quality information to boot:

1. 500 Hats: http://500hats.edublogs.org

2. AllStars Library: http://allstars.edublogs.org

3. Not So Distant Future: http://futura.edublogs.org

Well, I for one will now be taking a peek on my RSS feeds and blogs I follow. See you later!