RSS Feeds

I've just been discovering RSS feeds using Google Reader. This technology is completely foreign to me and I think I will have to explore it further to fully understand it. Nevertheless I can see its value. It is a convenient way to view updates on favourite sites. Rather than go to each site individually I can check google reader first. I have subscribed to SSC news which enables me to view any new tips for Learning 2.0. Google Reader also gave me the option of 'Feed Bundles'. This allows me to subscribe to a whole lot of feeds under categories such as 'Top Stories', 'World News' and 'Sport'. I found that this was a good way to begin subscribing to feeds. I am currently subscribed to feeds for the Sydney Morning Herald, Fox Sports etc. Subscribing to a feed isn't as hard as I thought it would be. You just type or 'copy' and 'paste' a url into the 'Add Subscription' icon.



This technology could be used to notify library patrons of upcoming news and events within the library. It could also be used to share ideas and communicate with other libraries. There is an icon on Google Reader which allows users to share RSS feeds with friends. Even though I am yet to use this option it might be a good way to make the community aware of library activities.

Flickr

I like this photo for two reasons. Even though most photos are supposed to have an 'All sizes' button above them, every photo that appealed to me didn't. I was starting to get frustrated until I saw this one and so it is now my new favourite photo! The other reason is that it is a photo of an island in Fiji. I remember going there in 2005 and being so surprised at how white (and hot) the sand was and how clear the water was. It was great snorkelling and I took some fantastic underwater photos. If I get a Flickr account, I might just scan and upload them. I found this photo while browsing through my favourite holiday destinations in Flickr.

I wasn't sure how Flickr could be used in the library service until I had a look at other library projects. It can be used to share library news and events with members of the public - a bit like a marketing tool. It can also be used to share news and ideas with other library services. I'm also impressed with the National Library's Project Australia. It would be great to set up something like that on a local scale. For example, we could invite Patrons to contribute photos of Sutherland Shire. It would allow members to get more involved in the library and contribute to local history development.