RSS Feeds – They`re Everywhere! They`re Everywhere!

Every day we go on the web to check Facebook, news or to just surf. So much information, so little time. RSS feeds are a way to alleviate some of the barrage of information out there, or are they?

 “The user subscribes to a feed by entering into the reader the feed's URL or by clicking a in a web browser that initiates the subscription process. The RSS reader checks the user's subscribed feeds regularly for new work, downloads any updates that it finds, and provides a user interface to monitor and read the feeds.” (Wikipedia)

I hadn’t noticed before how many websites I visit on a regular basis have RSS feeds, but is it too much?

Although you pick and choose which feeds you subscribe to, and (hopefully) read, there is a real possibility of information overload. With RSS so pervasive it has almost become a victim of its own success. The Library of Congress has over fifty feeds and McMaster University Library has 17. That’s only two libraries out of thousands, plus museums, art galleries and pretty much everything else. Who do you follow? Ack!

If library feeds hone in on the wants and needs of their patrons, they won’t be pushed to the back burner. The Library of Congress may have 54 feeds but they are geared to very specific areas of interest – something for everyone, as they say. I’ve subscribed to one of the LOC feeds as well one from the British Library. Both are interesting and showcase aspects of the libraries they represent. The LOC feed I have chosen is a library news feed, with information on exhibits, donations and events happening at the library, as well as related events all around the United States. The British Library feed has a great feature that allows you to download the page you are reading.

Although you pick and choose which feeds you subscribe to, and (hopefully) read, there is a real possibility of information overload. With RSS so pervasive it has almost become a victim of its own success. The Library of Congress has over fifty feeds and McMaster University Library has 17. That’s only two libraries out of thousands, plus museums, art galleries and pretty much everything else. Who do you follow?  I think that if you’re prudent in your subscriptions, then RSS feeds can help keep you informed. The trick is to not be seduced by an enticing webfeed in order to keep your feeds under control.