RSS use in Libraries

About a year ago the 'Moxie Librarian' blog posted an article outlining ten ways in which libraries can use RSS feeds. I thought that it would be good to see if i can find ten real world examples of these applications in academic libraries.
(If you need a refresher on what RSS is and how it works check out this page.)

The original list was:

1. Create an RSS feed for new additions to the online catalog.
2. Create an RSS feed tied to a library card account for hold notifications and/or overdue materials.
3. Create an RSS feed for new programs and events posted on the library website.
4. Create an RSS feed for the library’s electronic newsletter.
5. Create an RSS feed for press releases and other media advisories.
6. Create an RSS feed for library closings, including emergency closings.
7. Create an RSS feed for library job openings.
8. Subscribe to a few RSS feeds, such as local news websites, and share the content on the library’s website. This could be included on a page containing other local resources and local links.
9. Subscribe to RSS feeds of interest to library customers and share the content on the customer’s personalized library webpage. Customers can choose to access selected RSS feeds, their library account information, subscription databases, and email/chat with a librarian all in one spot.
10. Subscribe to a few professional RSS feeds and share with library staff on the library intranet.

And here are ten real world applications:

1. Create an RSS feed for new additions to the online catalog.

Loughborough University library (an ALEPH site) uses RSS to highlight it new stock acquisitions via a Dewey breakdown (click here to view).

2. Create an RSS feed tied to a library card account for hold notifications and/or overdue materials.

Elf is an online service that provides RSS notifications of your holds and overdues from your Library account (click here to view)


3. Create an RSS feed for new programs and events posted on the library website.

The University of Edinburgh posts news and events via RSS (click here to view)


4. Create an RSS feed for the library’s electronic newsletter.

Here's an example of Imperial's RSS news feed (click here to view)


5. Create an RSS feed for press releases and other media advisories.

OK not strictly an academic library, but the BL uses RSS for its press releases (click here to view)


6. Create an RSS feed for library closings, including emergency closings.

The University of Stirling uses a blog to make announcements about opening hours. This in turn can be viewed via an RSS feed (click here to view)


7. Create an RSS feed for library job openings.

The Open University has a whole host of RSS feeds, one of which is for jobs (click here to view)


8. Subscribe to a few RSS feeds, such as local news websites, and share the content on the library’s website. This could be included on a page containing other local resources and local links.

The Library of Congress (again not exactly academic) have a huge list of RSS feeds both from information they provide, but also from information from other providers (click here to view)



The last two applications would only be viable by staff and students that have a local library account so real world examples would be hard to find.

9. Subscribe to RSS feeds of interest to library customers and share the content on the customer’s personalized library webpage. Customers can choose to access selected RSS feeds, their library account information, subscription databases, and email/chat with a librarian all in one spot.

10. Subscribe to a few professional RSS feeds and share with library staff on the library intranet.

However, there are probably libraries out there that are already using RSS to achieve these applications...and other more interesting and unusual applications besides.