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September 26, 2004
Extending more tech for your library
Along the lines of the current discussion on bookmarklets and how they can help librarians, here's a super article on how to extend RSS for library services:
Rich Site Services: Web Feeds for Extended Information and Library Services
[c/o ASIS-L listserv 25 sept '04, published 20 sept '04]
I'm a bit behind in my feeds, so you may have seen this someplace already.
I must say, what I like most about the article is that it functions much like an RSS 101 for librarians, *including* practical applications. Steven Cohen has done an excellent job of highlighting the technology, what it is, and what it does, as well as how it's being used, mostly on a higher level, where the technically-inclined can follow. This article takes it to a level where non-tech librarians who say, "So what's your point?" can be shown exactly what a library can do with the technology to make service delivery niftier, and know enough about what they're looking at to possibly go to their systems librarian and start discussing actual projects. Then they can go back to Steven's blog for more ideas and really start making some quality innovation trouble. ;)
There are also lots of links and screenshots to examples, which is key. The links show that libraries and library resources really are using RSS, so it's not some theoretical idea that can wait a little while for implementation anymore. I wish there had been more screenshots, since they're so helpful to *visualizing* what can sometimes be a difficult concept to describe. It's a great, more detailed, overview article.
September 26, 2004 9:00 AM