Libraries & RSS

In striving to maintain any and all relevance to user groups libraries have tried to impress upon them the idea that the library is a "one stop shop". As an RSS feed is the epitome of a "one stop shop" I think it makes sense for libraries to become more familiar and interactive with the tool especially since RSS feeds help users filter through the onslaught of information on the Web and librarians pride themselves in doing the same.

Working at the Circulation desk it is clear that patrons often have difficulty finding the information they need on the library's website. The information is there, they are just unable (and, oftentimes, unwilling) to follow the necessary steps to get to said information. Making the various facets of the online library RSS-able would clear much of these issues up especially in terms of upcoming events and workshops, new acquisitions, etc.

However, I feel somewhat of a hypocrite as I have yet to fully appreciate all that RSS offers me as a user. I'm kind of peculiar when it comes to visiting my favorite sites; I have all of my most visited sites bookmarked on both my work and personal computers yet I, more often than not, do not even make use of the bookmarks. I type out the actual URL(!). Peculiar, right?