I think there are a plethora of ways that libraries can begin using RSS Feeds to enhance their service. Recently I spoke with a staff member at my local library about incorporating a feed into the main website for news and events. By having a feed set up like this it would be simple to notify large amounts of patrons about goings on at the library, but also notify them when an event is modified in some way. The other day while I was volunteering I noticed staff printing out flyers with a programming location change. They were placed around the library, but what about patrons who were planning on attending the event but not coming into the library beforehand? A feed to their inbox or aggregator could instantly notify every subscriber. The nice thing about setting up a feed to publish on the main website is that is simple to do and requires next to no programming experience. If the library has a blog set up they need only to visit a site such as Feed2JS and copy and paste into the source code. I did this in my Javascript class and it was very simple.
The real question becomes, how do you get your patrons to start subscribing? In much the same vain as a library blog, no one will read it if they don't know it's there. One idea would be to make an announcement on the library homepage with a link to more information about what kinds of feeds you can subscribe too through the library. Though for patrons who have no idea what a blog or RSS is you might see confusion or patrons will just ignore the information presented on the website.
I think the first thing that should be done is a staff training session or finding some way to familiarize all staff with the new technology. Once the staff is comfortable then it can be easier to move onto patron involvement. The library will need to think about what kinds of feed they want to offer. Do they want patrons to be able to see all the new books as they are posted? What about events? Should there be a separate teen feed? Once this is all decided they can begin bringing the technology to their patrons.
I've often believed that when someone gets their library card they should be either given an instructional packet or directed to a section of the main website where they can learn about all the library has to offer them. Here the librarians can make short videos about services, links to more information, and even screencast tutorials showing how to use the services provided. A library may even want to set up a LibGuide covering their own library system. I don't know that there has ever been a time when I signed up for a library card where the librarian even showed me where things were located at in the building. Think about most other types of memberships you have. When you signed up at the gym did they give you a calender and show you all their facilities? I've always been so curious as to why this doesn't happen at the library. I think you'd see a lot more use of services and higher attendance at events if patrons were notified on how to find the information from the beginning. If your library does add new information or being to offer RSS Feeds, email current patrons the new information. Let them know you've updated the website and direct them to the new services. Add a comment or suggestion box to the site and encourage patrons to let you know what they think. Often times your patrons can let you know about things that may have slipped your mind and can offer great suggestions.
There are lots of ways to bring new technologies into the library and RSS is an easy one that can provide a great service to many patrons. Your site may experience less traffic, but you may see attendance rise at events now that patrons can be notified via feed rather than checking the site.
