LIS 9763

I first heard of RSS many years ago, but I never realized that many people actually used it.  More importantly, I had never used it myself until last week.  This is partially because I had no need since there are only 3 websites that I check regularly for updates and also partially because I didn't really understand how it worked. 
 
The RSS tutorials in this weeks reading made it very clear to me how easy it is to use this technology and I no longer feel apprehensive about using it.  However I am concerned about library patrons who are like me (or rather, the me before last) and would avoid the weird, scary, orange RSS icon because they don't understand what it is.  I think that it's important for libraries that are incorporating this technology into their websites to make sure to either provide a brief tutorial on what RSS is or add it unobtrusively so that it doesn't interfere with the website experience of the users who don't use RSS. 
 
Prior to taking this course, I would have taken one look at the Western Kentucky University library website and immediately avoided all of the items that have an orange "XML" symbol beside them because the icons have the appearance that there is something wrong with the link that they are beside.  To the uninformed user, it looks scary and I know that I would simply not click on any of those links at all, not even to see the content without an RSS feed.
 
Comparatively, the Tacoma Public Library identifies the RSS icon and provides an explanation of what RSS is and how to use it.  I know that I would be much more comfortable subscribing to their RSS feeds because I would know what I'm doing, and I have to assume that many other library patrons would be as well.
 
That being said, I think that RSS has many useful applications in libraries.  I was particularly intrigued with the use of RSS feeds to distribute lists of new acquisitions.  Reading these lists would be comparable to perusing the 'new books' shelf of the library, except that it can be done from home.   Patrons can browse this 'virtual new books shelf' to keep tabs on what new and interesting material has come in to the library.  This is also very useful in academic settings where researchers can view all the latest titles in their particular subject area.  I really liked how the University of Oklahoma libraries has news feeds for new books based on the LC classification categories.  As most researchers would already be familiar with this classification system through their use of the library, it provides a simple way of identifying which RSS feeds they should subscribe to.
 
My point is that RSS feeds definitely have a place in the library.  It is just important to keep in mind how the less savvy web users will view the library's website and to make the technology as accessible and friendly as possible.