How do you think you could use RSS feeds at your library?
Our library’s electronic newsletter is a WordPress blog. Some departments also use blogs for internal communication.
I would like to use blogs for current awareness searches, if that would be appropriate to our patrons.
How do you think patrons could use RSS feeds?
Patrons could use RSS the same way I currently use it–to try to keep up with news in their field. I think they might find it useful for receiving current awareness searches from me or setting up their own searches. I guess that really depends on whether they are comfortable with feed readers or if they just want the search to come to their e-mail.
As someone commented on the class blog, blogs could be used as another method of teaching. Faculty might enjoy this, especially if they are already used to web-based teaching on WebCT. On the other hand, I don’t see any advantages to using a blog if they already teach on WebCT. They are comfortable with it and it probably offers them more flexibility.
At this point, I think our patrons might be more likely to use blogs for their own personal interests rather than professional reasons.
