This document discusses RSS (Really Simple Syndication) and how libraries are using it. RSS allows content on the web to be parsed into XML files that can be read in news aggregators or readers. Libraries are promoting events, new databases, and selected links using RSS. Subscribing to library RSS feeds allows patrons to keep updated on new materials and services in an easy, time-saving way without having to visit websites individually. The document provides many examples of library RSS uses and guides patrons on how to find, subscribe to, and search RSS feeds.

1. RSS and Libraries Michelle Misner NYLA Conference October 19, 2007

2. Contents What is RSS? What content is RSS-ified? How are libraries using RSS? Why should I subscribe to RSS feeds? How do I subscribe to feeds? How do I find feeds? How do I search feeds?

3. What is RSS? Stands for “Really Simple Syndication” Content from the Web which is parsed into an XML, RSS or RDF file Can only be read with a news aggregator or news reader Can’t be read in a browser on its own Look for the orange XML button or the Firefox RSS icon

4. Sample RSS code <?xml version=&quot;1.0&quot; encoding=&quot;utf-8&quot; ?> <rss version=&quot;2.0&quot;> <channel> <title>New Databases at NYPL</title> <description>List of recent additions to the Databases and Indexes subscription and free databases at The New York Public Library</description> <copyright>Copyright The New York Public Library</copyright> <link>http://www.nypl.org/rss/databases.xml</link> <image> <url>http://www.nypl.org/databases/images/onsite.gif</url> <title>The New York Public Library</title> <link>http://www.nypl.org/rss/databases.xml</link> </image>

5. RSS Examples News Feed – NY Times http:// www.nytimes.com/services/xml/rss/index.html Blogs – Library blogs http://www.blogwithoutalibrary.net/links/index.php?title=Welcome_to_the_Blogging_Libraries_Wiki Podcasting – WNYC http:// www.wnyc.org/podcasting /

6. RSS Examples II Subscription Databases http://www.library.wisc.edu/alerts/rss-alert-guides.html E-Journals Table of Contents http:// library.usask.ca/ejournals/rss_feeds.php Government Agencies http://www.firstgov.gov/Topics/Reference_Shelf/Libraries/RSS_Library.shtml

7. RSS Examples III Library of Congress http:// www.loc.gov/rss / Del.icio.us http:// del.icio.us RSS Feed for Search Terms http:// search.msn.com/docs/help.aspx?t = SEARCH_PROC_UseRSStoSaveanMSNSearchQuery.htm

8. How are libraries using RSS? Promote Events, New Databases, Selected Internet Links http://www.nypl.org/rss/ Small Business Feed from The New York Times http:// smallbiz.nypl.org New York Times Book Reviews http:// www.nypl.org /branch/books/

9. Libraries and RSS Catalog, Book Lists, Events http:// www.hclib.org/pub/search/RSS.cfm Research Guides Updates http:// www.kclibrary.org/rss / Del.icio.us Research Guides http:// library.southernct.edu/physbib.htm

10. Why should I subscribe? Browsing the Web is obsolete Make the Web work for you by having the content come to you Keep up-to-date in your areas of interest Saves time checking sites for updates Manage discussion lists: http:// www.blogwithoutalibrary.net/?p =74

11. How do I subscribe? Find a News Reader and download the software OR use a Web-based News Reader http://tinyurl.com/5gl6 Set up a Bloglines account http:// www.bloglines.com / Set up a My Yahoo! account Add a Live Bookmark in the Firefox browser

12. 3 Steps to Adding Feeds Find the feed in your topic of interest Click on the feed URL Copy and paste the URL into your news reader

13. How do I find feeds? Syndic8 http://www.syndic8.com Blogstreet http:// www.blogstreet.com/rssdiscovery.html News is Free http:// www.newsisfree.com List of Directories http:// allrss.com/rssdirectories.html

14. How do I search feeds? Feedster http:// www.feedster.com Technorati http:// www.technorati.com Blogdigger http:// www.blogdigger.com/index.html List of Search Engines http:// allrss.com/rsssearch.html

15. RSS Tutorials RSS Video http://tametheweb.com/2007/09/tonight_in_lis768_blogs_rss.html Tufts University – Overview Tutorial http://www.library.tufts.edu/ginn/tutorials/webfeeds/index.html Bloglines for Librarians http:// joy.mollprojects.com/myprojects/rss/quickrss.html

16. Resources RSS 4 Libraries Blog http://www.rss4lib.com Bibliography re: blogging and RSS in Libraries http:// www.blogwithoutalibrary.net/?page_id =93 RSS Compendium http:// allrss.com/index.html

17. Thank You Contact Information: Michelle Misner [email_address]