RSS Feeds

While I have an RSS reader, I have to admit that I don't use it very much. I have Google Reader which sends me feeds on news and sport but I don't actually look at these feeds as I also get news and sports updates on my iGoogle page. I think it might be worthwhile having RSS feeds for updates on literary awards and useful Library blogs. I just need to remember to create a feed everytime I read a good blog. You can also create RSS feeds in the database EBSCOHost i.e. you can create a feed for a particular search term so that you will receive articles regarding that search. In this way, RSS feeds can be very useful.

Evaluation

I've used some of the tools listed under evaluation but I'm eager to use more. I just signed up for Google Alerts to hear what everyone is saying about the Library and the new blog we have just started: CheckMeOut.blog. One of my work colleagues signs up to this and has informed us when the Library has received good reviews on Twitter and other people's blogs. I also think it would be good to gain feedback and improve services.

I tried Survey Monkey and really liked it. It's very easy to design and create surveys and analyse results. I might have to look into the Flickr pro account and if we get a Twitter account one day, I would definately want statistics.

I love Google Analytics and if I'm not careful I'll become addicted to it. There is so much to look at. You can see where the traffic is coming from (search engines, referring sites etc.). You can also see what country it is coming from. It's pretty cool like that. It can, at times, be difficult to navigate however.

My Library also uses feedburner to add our blog and delicious links onto our website. I've never had any problems with using this and it seems to be doing a good job.

Overall I think evaluation is so important for the Library. It tells us what works and what doesn't work and saves us from wasting time on certain online services.